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Atom Egoyan's haunting adaptation of the Russell Banks novel The Sweet Hereafter was the Canadian filmmaker's most successful film to date taking home a Special Grand Jury Prize at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival and scoring a pair of Academy Award nominations including Best Director. Restructured to fit Egoyan's signature mosaic narrative style the story concerns the cultural aftershocks which tear apart a small British Columbia town in the wake of a school-bus accident which leaves a number of local children dead. Ian Holm stars as Mitchell Stephens a big-city lawyer who arrives in the interest of uniting the survivors to initiate a lawsuit; his maneuvering only drives the community further apart reopening old wounds and jeopardizing any hopes of emotional recovery. Like so many of Egoyan's features The Sweet Hereafter is a serious and painfully honest exploration of family grief; no character is immune from the sense of utter devastation which grips the film not even the attorney whose interests are in part motivated by his own remorse over the fate of his daughter an HIV-positive drug addict.

Atom Egoyan 's haunting adaptation of the Russell Banks novel The Sweet Hereafter was the Canadian filmmaker's most successful film to date , taking home a Special Grand Jury Prize at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival and scoring a pair of Academy Award nominations , including Best Director. Restructured to fit Egoyan 's signature mosaic narrative style , the story concerns the cultural aftershocks which tear apart a small British Columbia town in the wake of a school - bus accident which leaves a number of local children dead. Ian Holm stars as Mitchell Stephens , a big - city lawyer who arrives in the interest of uniting the survivors to initiate a lawsuit ; his maneuvering only drives the community further apart , reopening old wounds and jeopardizing any hopes of emotional recovery. Like so many of Egoyan 's features , The Sweet Hereafter is a serious and painfully honest exploration of family grief ; no character is immune from the sense of utter devastation which grips the film , not even the attorney , whose interests are in part motivated by his own remorse over the fate of his daughter , an HIV - positive drug addict.

With Breaking The Waves director Lars von Trier fashions an often disturbing tale of the singular power of love. Bess (the Oscar-nominated Emily Watson) is a naïve borderline simple young woman who lives in a Scottish coastal town ruled by the religious doctrine of its council of elders. Recovering from a mental breakdown caused by the death of her brother Bess marries a rough yet compassionate and attentive oil rig worker named Jan (Stellan Skarsgård). For a brief time the couple enjoys peaceful wedded bliss with the worldly Jan introducing Bess to the mysteries of sex. Jan must soon return to his job on the rig however where he is paralyzed from the neck down in a freak accident. Bess' emotional trauma over Jan's injury turns into obsession as she prays to God for his recovery and offers to do anything to have her husband back whole. Jan constantly medicated and profoundly depressed asks Bess to have sex with other men and tell him about it thinking this will allow her to return to a normal life. Bess on the other hand sees it as an expression of her devotion to Jan that even God won't be able to ignore. Bess' resultant downward spiral leads to a finale of both tragedy and spirituality. Breaking the Waves is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive European movies of the 1990s marking von Trier's movement toward his influential Dogma 95 school of filmmaking which emphasizes realistic situations of contemporary life filmed without background music and with a hand-held restlessly moving camera.

With Breaking The Waves , director Lars von Trier fashions an often disturbing tale of the singular power of love. Bess ( the Oscar - nominated Emily Watson ) is a naïve , borderline simple young woman who lives in a Scottish coastal town ruled by the religious doctrine of its council of elders. Recovering from a mental breakdown caused by the death of her brother , Bess marries a rough yet compassionate and attentive oil rig worker named Jan ( Stellan Skarsgård ) . For a brief time , the couple enjoys peaceful wedded bliss , with the worldly Jan introducing Bess to the mysteries of sex. Jan must soon return to his job on the rig , however , where he is paralyzed from the neck down in a freak accident. Bess' emotional trauma over Jan's injury turns into obsession as she prays to God for his recovery and offers to do anything to have her husband back whole. Jan , constantly medicated and profoundly depressed , asks Bess to have sex with other men and tell him about it , thinking this will allow her to return to a normal life. Bess , on the other hand , sees it as an expression of her devotion to Jan that even God won't be able to ignore. Bess' resultant downward spiral leads to a finale of both tragedy and spirituality. Breaking the Waves is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive European movies of the 1990s , marking von Trier 's movement toward his influential Dogma 95 school of filmmaking , which emphasizes realistic situations of contemporary life , filmed without background music and with a hand - held , restlessly moving camera.

Tim Robbins' second directorial effort (after the political satire Bob Roberts) was this drama based on a true story which explores the issue of capital punishment. Sister Helen Prejean (Susan Sarandon) is a nun and teacher living in rural Louisiana. One day she receives a letter from Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn) who is scheduled to be executed soon for the rape and murder of two teenagers. After meeting Matthew Sister Helen agrees to serve as spiritual counselor and see what she can do to stay the execution. However Matthew's claims of innocence seem shaky at best and it's clear he's a reprehensible amoral racist. When it becomes obvious that Matthew's sentence will be carried out Sister Helen offers what comfort she can to Matthew but also tries to guide him to an open admission of the extent of his crimes and an acceptance of divine forgiveness telling him "I want the last face you see to be the face of love." Susan Sarandon won an Oscar for her performance as Sister Prejean and Sean Penn was similarly nominated for Best Actor as Matthew.

Tim Robbins ' second directorial effort ( after the political satire Bob Roberts ) was this drama based on a true story , which explores the issue of capital punishment. Sister Helen Prejean ( Susan Sarandon ) is a nun and teacher living in rural Louisiana. One day , she receives a letter from Matthew Poncelet ( Sean Penn ), who is scheduled to be executed soon for the rape and murder of two teenagers. After meeting Matthew , Sister Helen agrees to serve as spiritual counselor and see what she can do to stay the execution. However , Matthew's claims of innocence seem shaky at best , and it's clear he's a reprehensible , amoral racist. When it becomes obvious that Matthew's sentence will be carried out , Sister Helen offers what comfort she can to Matthew , but also tries to guide him to an open admission of the extent of his crimes and an acceptance of divine forgiveness , telling him "I want the last face you see to be the face of love." Susan Sarandon won an Oscar for her performance as Sister Prejean , and Sean Penn was similarly nominated for Best Actor as Matthew.

The concluding chapter in filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski's "Three Colors" trilogy Red stars the luminous Irène Jacob as Valentine a young student and fashion model who befriends a bitter former judge (Jean-Louis Trintignant his character a proxy for Kieslowski himself). Their accidental meeting is just one of the many chance encounters woven through the narrative fabric of this feature the most accomplished effort in Kieslowski's highly ambitious series. Like its predecessors Red corresponds to a color of the French flag as well as the color's symbolic attributes. The subject here is fraternity and indeed its central characters are all closely connected their destinies locked on a collision course. The film's final scene even ties up the trilogy by bringing together the protagonists of the other features.

The concluding chapter in filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski 's "Three Colors" trilogy , Red stars the luminous Irène Jacob as Valentine , a young student and fashion model who befriends a bitter former judge ( Jean - Louis Trintignant , his character a proxy for Kieslowski himself ) . Their accidental meeting is just one of the many chance encounters woven through the narrative fabric of this feature , the most accomplished effort in Kieslowski's highly ambitious series. Like its predecessors , Red corresponds to a color of the French flag , as well as the color's symbolic attributes. The subject here is fraternity , and indeed , its central characters are all closely connected , their destinies locked on a collision course. The film's final scene even ties up the trilogy by bringing together the protagonists of the other features.

A Hong Kong fast food restaurant acts as the link between two unusual stories of police officers in love in this eccentric stylish comedy-drama. Director Wong Kar-Wai plays freely with traditional narrative structure dividing his film into two loosely connected segments. The first centers on a depressed cop struggling to come to terms with a recent break-up. His sad isolation is transformed when he encounters a beautiful mysterious femme fatale whose involvement with the criminal underworld proves troublesome for both. The second story explores the odd relationship between a female restaurant worker and another recently jilted police officer. The strange woman decides to regularly clean and redecorate the man's apartment in his absence allowing the two to form a close intimacy without meeting face to face. Both stories present a beautifully atmospheric look at modern urban life and romance with its combination of isolation and casual unexpected meetings. Chungking Express came to the attention of American audiences thanks to the efforts of director Quentin Tarantino whose own brand of fractured storytelling and urban cool owes a debt to Wong Kar-Wai.

A Hong Kong fast food restaurant acts as the link between two unusual stories of police officers in love in this eccentric , stylish comedy - drama. Director Wong Kar - Wai plays freely with traditional narrative structure , dividing his film into two loosely connected segments. The first centers on a depressed cop struggling to come to terms with a recent break - up. His sad isolation is transformed when he encounters a beautiful , mysterious femme fatale , whose involvement with the criminal underworld proves troublesome for both. The second story explores the odd relationship between a female restaurant worker and another recently jilted police officer. The strange woman decides to regularly clean and redecorate the man's apartment in his absence , allowing the two to form a close intimacy without meeting face to face. Both stories present a beautifully atmospheric look at modern urban life and romance , with its combination of isolation and casual , unexpected meetings. Chungking Express came to the attention of American audiences thanks to the efforts of director Quentin Tarantino , whose own brand of fractured storytelling and urban cool owes a debt to Wong Kar - Wai .

ased on stories by Raymond Carver Short Cuts follows 22 Los Angeles residents whose lives intersect over the course of a few days. Ann and Howard Finnegan (Andie MacDowell and Bruce Davison) are preparing for their son Casey's birthday party when the boy is injured in an auto accident and falls into a coma. Meanwhile Andy (Lyle Lovett) a baker seethes with anger over the birthday cake that wasn't claimed and Howard's father Paul (Jack Lemmon) decides that a visit with his ailing grandson is a good time to discuss his infidelities. Lois (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is a new mother who watches over her baby when not making money doing phone sex which bothers her husband Jerry (Chris Penn) though he knows they need the money. Pilot "Stormy" Weathers (Peter Gallagher) takes a very literal approach to dividing up community property with his ex-wife (Frances McDormand). Doreen (Lily Tomlin) is trying on to hold her marriage with Earl (Tom Waits) who is a good man on the rare occasions that he's sober. Zoe (Lori Singer) a classical musician is trying to find some way to connect with her mother Tess (Annie Ross) a jazz singer. Dr. Ralph Wyman (Matthew Modine) and his wife Marian (Julianne Moore) put their bickering on hold while they have dinner with another couple Stuart and Claire Kane (Fred Ward and Anne Archer). Stuart and his pals Gordon and Vern (Buck Henry and Huey Lewis) earlier went on a fishing trip where they discovered the body of a drowned woman but decided not to report it until the end of the weekend.

Based on stories by Raymond Carver , Short Cuts follows 22 Los Angeles residents whose lives intersect over the course of a few days. Ann and Howard Finnegan ( Andie MacDowell and Bruce Davison ) are preparing for their son Casey's birthday party when the boy is injured in an auto accident and falls into a coma. Meanwhile , Andy ( Lyle Lovett ), a baker , seethes with anger over the birthday cake that wasn't claimed , and Howard's father , Paul ( Jack Lemmon ), decides that a visit with his ailing grandson is a good time to discuss his infidelities. Lois ( Jennifer Jason Leigh ) is a new mother who watches over her baby when not making money doing phone sex , which bothers her husband , Jerry ( Chris Penn ), though he knows they need the money. Pilot "Stormy" Weathers ( Peter Gallagher ) takes a very literal approach to dividing up community property with his ex - wife ( Frances McDormand ) . Doreen ( Lily Tomlin ) is trying on to hold her marriage with Earl ( Tom Waits ), who is a good man on the rare occasions that he's sober. Zoe ( Lori Singer ), a classical musician , is trying to find some way to connect with her mother , Tess ( Annie Ross ), a jazz singer. Dr. Ralph Wyman ( Matthew Modine ) and his wife , Marian ( Julianne Moore ) put their bickering on hold while they have dinner with another couple , Stuart and Claire Kane ( Fred Ward and Anne Archer ) . Stuart and his pals Gordon and Vern ( Buck Henry and Huey Lewis ) earlier went on a fishing trip where they discovered the body of a drowned woman but decided not to report it until the end of the weekend.

Filmed with the usual meticulous attention to period and detail of films from Ismail Merchant and James Ivory The Remains of the Day is based on a novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. Anthony Hopkins plays Stevens the "perfect" butler to a prosperous British household of the 1930s. He is so unswervingly devoted to serving his master a well-meaning but callow British lord (James Fox) that he shuts himself off from all emotions and familial relationships. New housekeeper Miss Kenton (Emma Thompson) tries to warm him up and awaken his humanity. But when duty calls Stevens won't even attend his own dying father's last moments on earth. The butler also refuses to acknowledge the fact that his master is showing signs of pro-Nazi sentiments. Disillusioned by Hitler's duplicity the master dies an embittered man and only then does Stevens come to realize how his own silence has helped bring about this sad situation. Years later regretting his lost opportunities in life he tries once more to make contact with Miss Kenton the only person who'd ever cared enough to seek out the human being inside the butler's cold veneer.

Filmed with the usual meticulous attention to period and detail of films from Ismail Merchant and James Ivory , The Remains of the Day is based on a novel by Kazuo Ishiguro . Anthony Hopkins plays Stevens , the "perfect" butler to a prosperous British household of the 1930s. He is so unswervingly devoted to serving his master , a well - meaning but callow British lord ( James Fox ), that he shuts himself off from all emotions and familial relationships. New housekeeper Miss Kenton ( Emma Thompson ) tries to warm him up and awaken his humanity. But when duty calls , Stevens won't even attend his own dying father's last moments on earth. The butler also refuses to acknowledge the fact that his master is showing signs of pro - Nazi sentiments. Disillusioned by Hitler 's duplicity , the master dies an embittered man , and only then does Stevens come to realize how his own silence has helped bring about this sad situation. Years later , regretting his lost opportunities in life , he tries once more to make contact with Miss Kenton , the only person who'd ever cared enough to seek out the human being inside the butler's cold veneer.

Writer/director Jane Campion's third feature unearthed emotional undercurrents and churning intensity in the story of a mute woman's rebellion in the recently colonized New Zealand wilderness of Victorian times. Ada McGrath (Holly Hunter) a mute who has willed herself not to speak and her strong-willed young daughter Flora (Anna Paquin) find themselves in the New Zealand wilderness with Ada the imported bride of dullard land-grabber Stewart (Sam Neill). Ada immediately takes a dislike to Stewart when he refuses to carry her beloved piano home with them. But Stewart makes a deal with his overseer George Baines (Harvey Keitel) to take the piano off his hands. Attracted to Ada Baines agrees to return the piano in exchange for a series of piano lessons that become a series of increasingly charged sexual encounters. As pent-up emotions of rage and desire swirl around all three characters the savage wilderness begins to consume the tiny European enclave. Campion imbues her tale with an over-ripe tactility and a murky poetic undertow that betray the characters' confined yet overpowering emotions: Ada's buried sensuality Baines' hidden tenderness and Stewart's suppressed anger and violence. The story unfolds like a Greek tragedy of the Outback complete with a Greek chorus of Maori tribesmen and a blithely uncaring natural environment that envelops the characters like an additional player. Campion directs with discreet detachment observing one character through the glances and squints of another as they peer through wooden slats airy curtains and the spaces between a character's fingers. She makes the film immediate and urgent by implicating the audience in characters' gazes. And she guides Hunter to a revelatory performance of silent film majesty. Relying on expressive glances and using body language to convey her soulful depths Hunter became a modern Lillian Gish and won an Oscar for her performance as did Paquin and Campion for her screenplay. Campion achieved something rare in contemporary cinema: a poetry of expression told in the form of an off-center melodrama.

Writer / director Jane Campion 's third feature unearthed emotional undercurrents and churning intensity in the story of a mute woman's rebellion in the recently colonized New Zealand wilderness of Victorian times. Ada McGrath ( Holly Hunter ), a mute who has willed herself not to speak , and her strong - willed young daughter Flora ( Anna Paquin ) find themselves in the New Zealand wilderness , with Ada the imported bride of dullard land - grabber Stewart ( Sam Neill ) . Ada immediately takes a dislike to Stewart when he refuses to carry her beloved piano home with them. But Stewart makes a deal with his overseer George Baines ( Harvey Keitel ) to take the piano off his hands. Attracted to Ada , Baines agrees to return the piano in exchange for a series of piano lessons that become a series of increasingly charged sexual encounters. As pent - up emotions of rage and desire swirl around all three characters , the savage wilderness begins to consume the tiny European enclave. Campion imbues her tale with an over - ripe tactility and a murky , poetic undertow that betray the characters' confined yet overpowering emotions : Ada's buried sensuality , Baines' hidden tenderness , and Stewart's suppressed anger and violence. The story unfolds like a Greek tragedy of the Outback , complete with a Greek chorus of Maori tribesmen and a blithely uncaring natural environment that envelops the characters like an additional player. Campion directs with discreet detachment , observing one character through the glances and squints of another as they peer through wooden slats , airy curtains , and the spaces between a character's fingers. She makes the film immediate and urgent by implicating the audience in characters' gazes. And she guides Hunter to a revelatory performance of silent film majesty. Relying on expressive glances and using body language to convey her soulful depths , Hunter became a modern Lillian Gish and won an Oscar for her performance , as did Paquin and Campion for her screenplay. Campion achieved something rare in contemporary cinema : a poetry of expression told in the form of an off - center melodrama.

elle de Jour dramatizes the collision between depravity and elegance one of the favorite themes of director Luis Buñuel. Catherine Deneuve stars as a wealthy but bored newlywed eager to taste life to the fullest. She seemingly gets her wish early in the film when she is kidnapped tied to a tree and gang-raped. It turns out that this is only a daydream but her subsequent visits to a neighboring brothel where she offers her services certainly seem to be real. This illusion/reality dichotomy extends to the final scenes in which we are offered two possible endings. Thanks to a question of copyright and ownership Belle de Jour disappeared from view shortly after its 1967 release not even resurfacing on videotape. When it was reissued theatrically in 1994 many critics placed the perplexing but mesmerizing film on their lists of that year's best films.

Belle de Jour dramatizes the collision between depravity and elegance , one of the favorite themes of director Luis Buñuel . Catherine Deneuve stars as a wealthy but bored newlywed , eager to taste life to the fullest. She seemingly gets her wish early in the film when she is kidnapped , tied to a tree , and gang - raped. It turns out that this is only a daydream , but her subsequent visits to a neighboring brothel , where she offers her services , certainly seem to be real. This illusion / reality dichotomy extends to the final scenes , in which we are offered two possible endings. Thanks to a question of copyright and ownership , Belle de Jour disappeared from view shortly after its 1967 release , not even resurfacing on videotape. When it was reissued theatrically in 1994 , many critics placed the perplexing but mesmerizing film on their lists of that year's best films.

Steven Soderbergh kickstarted the independent film movement of the 1990s with this landmark drama about the tangled relationships among four people and a video camera. John (Peter Gallagher) is an unscrupulous self-centered yuppie lawyer with a beautiful wife named Ann (Andie MacDowell). Ann feels secure and well provided-for in their relationship but she has almost no interest in sex; she tells her therapist that she's more concerned about waste disposal. John however is still quite interested in sex and is having an affair with Ann's sister Cynthia (Laura San Giacomo) whose personality is fire to Ann's ice; sex is the one area in which she's been able to best her more successful sister and she relishes her ability to seduce Ann's husband. Into this dysfunctional picture comes Graham (James Spader) a college friend of John's whom he hasn't seen in nine years. Graham has decided that talking about sex is more interesting than actually having sex so he meets women and asks them discuss their desires and fantasies as he tapes them with a camcorder. A sensation at the Sundance Film Festival the film made that festival a synonym for a new brand of low-budget indie dramas about contemporary life and relationships. Together with Quentin Tarantino's very different Pulp Fiction (1994) sex lies and videotape was one of the most influential movies for independent filmmaking of the 1990s.

Steven Soderbergh kickstarted the independent film movement of the 1990s with this landmark drama about the tangled relationships among four people and a video camera. John ( Peter Gallagher ) is an unscrupulous , self - centered yuppie lawyer with a beautiful wife named Ann ( Andie MacDowell ) . Ann feels secure and well provided - for in their relationship , but she has almost no interest in sex ; she tells her therapist that she's more concerned about waste disposal. John , however , is still quite interested in sex and is having an affair with Ann's sister Cynthia ( Laura San Giacomo ), whose personality is fire to Ann's ice ; sex is the one area in which she's been able to best her more successful sister , and she relishes her ability to seduce Ann's husband. Into this dysfunctional picture comes Graham ( James Spader ), a college friend of John's whom he hasn't seen in nine years. Graham has decided that talking about sex is more interesting than actually having sex , so he meets women and asks them discuss their desires and fantasies as he tapes them with a camcorder. A sensation at the Sundance Film Festival , the film made that festival a synonym for a new brand of low - budget indie dramas about contemporary life and relationships. Together with Quentin Tarantino 's very different Pulp Fiction ( 1994 ), sex , lies , and videotape was one of the most influential movies for independent filmmaking of the 1990s.

Originally released in India as Apur Sansar The World of Apu was the last of Satyajit Ray's "Apu Trilogy." Pather Panchali (1955) covered Apu's early years in his native village while Aparajito (1956) detailed his school years and the tragedy that temporarily brought him back home. Now Apu (Soumitra Chatterjee) having abandoned college due to lack of money hopes to find success as a writer. He is sidetracked from this goal when he meets Aparna (Sharmila Tagore) whose impending wedding is canceled when the groom turns out to be mentally unstable. To save Aparna from a custom-dictated life of spinsterhood Apu marries her himself. When she dies giving birth the grieving Apu cannot bring himself to meet his son and in fact deserts the boy for five years before learning how to gracefully accept his lot in life. Like the other entries in the trilogy The World of Apu was based on Bibhutibhusan Bandopadhaya's semi-autobiographical novel Aparajito. In the manner typical of his earlier works director Ray adopts a straightforward realistic approach avoiding any sort of attention-getting directorial techniques the better to simply tell his story.

Originally released in India as Apur Sansar , The World of Apu was the last of Satyajit Ray 's "Apu Trilogy." Pather Panchali ( 1955 ) covered Apu's early years in his native village , while Aparajito ( 1956 ) detailed his school years and the tragedy that temporarily brought him back home. Now Apu ( Soumitra Chatterjee ), having abandoned college due to lack of money , hopes to find success as a writer. He is sidetracked from this goal when he meets Aparna ( Sharmila Tagore ), whose impending wedding is canceled when the groom turns out to be mentally unstable. To save Aparna from a custom - dictated life of spinsterhood , Apu marries her himself. When she dies giving birth , the grieving Apu cannot bring himself to meet his son , and in fact deserts the boy for five years before learning how to gracefully accept his lot in life. Like the other entries in the trilogy , The World of Apu was based on Bibhutibhusan Bandopadhaya 's semi - autobiographical novel Aparajito . In the manner typical of his earlier works , director Ray adopts a straightforward , realistic approach , avoiding any sort of attention - getting directorial techniques , the better to simply tell his story.

John Cassavetes' harrowing masterpiece charts the emotional meltdown of a suburban housewife and its effects on her blue-collar Italian family. Gena Rowlands stars as Mabel Longhetti a mother of three whose husband Nick (Peter Falk) works as a construction worker; a mismatched couple like so many others in Cassavetes films the Longhettis seem to be complete opposites: she's impetuous extroverted and fragile while he's controlling distant and hard-bitten. Their differences underscore a series of domestic dramas culminating in a nervous breakdown that sends Mabel to a psychiatric hospital for six months only to return to a home environment on even thinner ice than before. The improvisational style central to Cassavetes' vision is at its most acute throughout A Woman Under the Influence. Like its title heroine the film threatens to veer out of control at any time its shape and scope defined not by narrative but by the emotional upheaval at its center. Embracing the full spectrum of the Longhettis' relationship from seismic bursts of high drama to small even trivial moments of domestic tedium its long scenes relentlessly probe every nook and cranny of the family's life drawing out each moment for maximum emotional impact; the film is by turns beautiful and ugly illuminating and frustrating and it features a performance by Rowlands as heartwrenching and unforgettable as any ever committed to celluloid.

John Cassavetes ' harrowing masterpiece charts the emotional meltdown of a suburban housewife and its effects on her blue - collar Italian family. Gena Rowlands stars as Mabel Longhetti , a mother of three whose husband Nick ( Peter Falk ) works as a construction worker ; a mismatched couple like so many others in Cassavetes films , the Longhettis seem to be complete opposites : she's impetuous , extroverted , and fragile , while he's controlling , distant , and hard - bitten. Their differences underscore a series of domestic dramas , culminating in a nervous breakdown that sends Mabel to a psychiatric hospital for six months , only to return to a home environment on even thinner ice than before. The improvisational style central to Cassavetes' vision is at its most acute throughout A Woman Under the Influence . Like its title heroine , the film threatens to veer out of control at any time , its shape and scope defined not by narrative but by the emotional upheaval at its center. Embracing the full spectrum of the Longhettis' relationship , from seismic bursts of high drama to small , even trivial moments of domestic tedium , its long scenes relentlessly probe every nook and cranny of the family's life , drawing out each moment for maximum emotional impact ; the film is by turns beautiful and ugly , illuminating and frustrating , and it features a performance by Rowlands as heartwrenching and unforgettable as any ever committed to celluloid.

"All the animals come out at night" -- and one of them is a cabby about to snap. In Martin Scorsese's classic 1970s drama insomniac ex-Marine Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro) works the nightshift driving his cab throughout decaying mid-'70s New York City wishing for a "real rain" to wash the "scum" off the neon-lit streets. Chronically alone Travis cannot connect with anyone not even with such other cabbies as blowhard Wizard (Peter Boyle). He becomes infatuated with vapid blonde presidential campaign worker Betsy (Cybill Shepherd) who agrees to a date and then spurns Travis when he cluelessly takes her to a porno movie. After an encounter with a malevolent fare (played by Scorsese) the increasingly paranoid Travis begins to condition (and arm) himself for his imagined destiny a mission that mutates from assassinating Betsy's candidate Charles Palatine (Leonard Harris) to violently "saving" teen hooker Iris (Jodie Foster) from her pimp Sport (Harvey Keitel). Travis' bloodbath turns him into a media hero; but has it truly calmed his mind? Written by Paul Schrader Taxi Driver is an homage to and reworking of cinematic influences a study of individual psychosis and an acute diagnosis of the latently violent media-fixated Vietnam era. Scorsese and Schrader structure Travis' mission to save Iris as a film noir version of John Ford's late Western The Searchers (1956) aligning Travis with a mythology of American heroism while exposing that myth's obsessively violent underpinnings. Yet Travis' military record and assassination attempt as well as Palatine's political platitudes also ground Taxi Driver in its historical moment of American in the 1970s. Employing such techniques as Godardian jump cuts and ellipses expressive camera moves and angles and garish colors all punctuated by Bernard Herrmann's eerie final score (finished the day he died) Scorsese presents a Manhattan skewed through Travis' point-of-view where De Niro's now-famous "You talkin' to me" improv becomes one more sign of Travis' madness. Shot during a New York summer heat wave and garbage strike Taxi Driver got into trouble with the MPAA for its violence. Scorsese desaturated the color in the final shoot-out and got an R and Taxi Driver surprised its unenthusiastic studio by becoming a box-office hit. Released in the Bicentennial year after Vietnam Watergate and attention-getting attempts on President Ford's life Taxi Driver's intense portrait of a man and a society unhinged spoke resonantly to the mid-'70s audience -- too resonantly in the case of attempted Reagan assassin and Foster fan John W. Hinckley. Taxi Driver went on to win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival but it lost the Best Picture Oscar to the more comforting Rocky. Anchored by De Niro's disturbing embodiment of "God's lonely man" Taxi Driver remains a striking milestone of both Scorsese's career and 1970s Hollywood.

"All the animals come out at night" -- and one of them is a cabby about to snap. In Martin Scorsese 's classic 1970s drama , insomniac ex - Marine Travis Bickle ( Robert De Niro ) works the nightshift , driving his cab throughout decaying mid - '70s New York City , wishing for a "real rain" to wash the "scum" off the neon - lit streets. Chronically alone , Travis cannot connect with anyone , not even with such other cabbies as blowhard Wizard ( Peter Boyle ) . He becomes infatuated with vapid blonde presidential campaign worker Betsy ( Cybill Shepherd ), who agrees to a date and then spurns Travis when he cluelessly takes her to a porno movie. After an encounter with a malevolent fare ( played by Scorsese ), the increasingly paranoid Travis begins to condition ( and arm ) himself for his imagined destiny , a mission that mutates from assassinating Betsy's candidate , Charles Palatine ( Leonard Harris ), to violently "saving" teen hooker Iris ( Jodie Foster ) from her pimp , Sport ( Harvey Keitel ) . Travis' bloodbath turns him into a media hero ; but has it truly calmed his mind? Written by Paul Schrader , Taxi Driver is an homage to and reworking of cinematic influences , a study of individual psychosis , and an acute diagnosis of the latently violent , media - fixated Vietnam era. Scorsese and Schrader structure Travis' mission to save Iris as a film noir version of John Ford 's late Western The Searchers ( 1956 ), aligning Travis with a mythology of American heroism while exposing that myth's obsessively violent underpinnings. Yet Travis' military record and assassination attempt , as well as Palatine's political platitudes , also ground Taxi Driver in its historical moment of American in the 1970s. Employing such techniques as Godardian jump cuts and ellipses , expressive camera moves and angles , and garish colors , all punctuated by Bernard Herrmann 's eerie final score ( finished the day he died ), Scorsese presents a Manhattan skewed through Travis' point - of - view , where De Niro 's now - famous "You talkin' to me" improv becomes one more sign of Travis' madness. Shot during a New York summer heat wave and garbage strike , Taxi Driver got into trouble with the MPAA for its violence. Scorsese desaturated the color in the final shoot - out and got an R , and Taxi Driver surprised its unenthusiastic studio by becoming a box - office hit. Released in the Bicentennial year , after Vietnam , Watergate , and attention - getting attempts on President Ford 's life , Taxi Driver 's intense portrait of a man and a society unhinged spoke resonantly to the mid - '70s audience -- too resonantly in the case of attempted Reagan assassin and Foster fan John W. Hinckley . Taxi Driver went on to win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival , but it lost the Best Picture Oscar to the more comforting Rocky . Anchored by De Niro 's disturbing embodiment of "God's lonely man , " Taxi Driver remains a striking milestone of both Scorsese 's career and 1970s Hollywood.

In the classic play by Tennessee Williams brought to the screen by Elia Kazan faded Southern belle Blanche DuBois (Vivien Leigh) comes to visit her pregnant sister Stella (Kim Hunter) in a seedy section of New Orleans. Stella's boorish husband Stanley Kowalski (Marlon Brando) not only regards Blanche's aristocratic affectations as a royal pain but also thinks she's holding out on inheritance money that rightfully belongs to Stella. On the fringes of sanity Blanche is trying to forget her checkered past and start life anew. Attracted to Stanley's friend Mitch (Karl Malden) she glosses over the less savory incidents in her past but she soon discovers that she cannot outrun that past and the stage is set for her final brutal confrontation with her brother-in-law. Brando Hunter and Malden had all starred in the original Broadway version of Streetcar although the original Blanche had been Jessica Tandy. Brando lost out to Humphrey Bogart for the 1951 Best Actor Oscar but Leigh Hunter and Malden all won Oscars.

In the classic play by Tennessee Williams , brought to the screen by Elia Kazan , faded Southern belle Blanche DuBois ( Vivien Leigh ) comes to visit her pregnant sister , Stella ( Kim Hunter ), in a seedy section of New Orleans. Stella's boorish husband , Stanley Kowalski ( Marlon Brando ), not only regards Blanche's aristocratic affectations as a royal pain but also thinks she's holding out on inheritance money that rightfully belongs to Stella. On the fringes of sanity , Blanche is trying to forget her checkered past and start life anew. Attracted to Stanley's friend Mitch ( Karl Malden ), she glosses over the less savory incidents in her past , but she soon discovers that she cannot outrun that past , and the stage is set for her final , brutal confrontation with her brother - in - law. Brando , Hunter , and Malden had all starred in the original Broadway version of Streetcar , although the original Blanche had been Jessica Tandy . Brando lost out to Humphrey Bogart for the 1951 Best Actor Oscar , but Leigh , Hunter , and Malden all won Oscars.

John Travolta graduated from minor celebrity to superstar with Saturday Night Fever. Travolta plays Tony Manero a Brooklyn paint-store clerk who'd give anything to break out of his dead-end existence. In life Tony is a peasant; on the disco dance floor he's a king. As the soundtrack plays one Bee Gees hit after another (including "Stayin' Alive") we watch white-suited Tony strut his stuff amidst flashing lights and sweaty undulating bodies. Tony's class aspirations are mirrored in his relationship with his dance partner Stephanie (Karen Lynn Gorney) a secretary eager to move into the glamorous world of Manhattan. Saturday Night Fever's huge success grew meteorically thanks to the towering popularity of its soundtrack; during the first half of 1978 when the movie's disco songs saturated the singles charts up to four at a time it was no longer clear whether the hit movie was feeding the hit songs or the hit songs were feeding the hit movie. This crossover between music and movies set the pace for many movies to come as it also marked the rise and fall of 1970s disco culture. Two versions of this film exist: the original R-rated version and a PG version edited down to more "family-friendly" fare and fed to the public with the tagline "Because we want everyone to see John Travolta's performance."

John Travolta graduated from minor celebrity to superstar with Saturday Night Fever . Travolta plays Tony Manero , a Brooklyn paint - store clerk who'd give anything to break out of his dead - end existence. In life , Tony is a peasant ; on the disco dance floor , he's a king. As the soundtrack plays one Bee Gees hit after another ( including "Stayin' Alive" ), we watch white - suited Tony strut his stuff amidst flashing lights and sweaty , undulating bodies. Tony's class aspirations are mirrored in his relationship with his dance partner , Stephanie ( Karen Lynn Gorney ), a secretary eager to move into the glamorous world of Manhattan. Saturday Night Fever 's huge success grew meteorically thanks to the towering popularity of its soundtrack ; during the first half of 1978 , when the movie's disco songs saturated the singles charts up to four at a time , it was no longer clear whether the hit movie was feeding the hit songs or the hit songs were feeding the hit movie. This crossover between music and movies set the pace for many movies to come , as it also marked the rise and fall of 1970s disco culture. Two versions of this film exist : the original R - rated version and a PG version , edited down to more "family - friendly" fare and fed to the public with the tagline , "Because we want everyone to see John Travolta 's performance."

Director Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet was touted at the time of its release (successfully if the box-office receipts are any indication) as something of a "youth trip" movie. This is because Zeffirelli broke the long-standing tradition of casting over-aged sometimes grey-haired players in the title roles. Seventeen-year-old Leonard Whiting plays Romeo with 15-year-old Olivia Hussey as Juliet. The youthfulness and inexperience of the leading players works beautifully in the more passionate sequences (some of these breaking further ground by being played in the nude). Among the younger players are Michael York as Tybalt and John McEnery as Mercutio. The duel between Romeo and Tybalt starts out as a harmless frat-boy exchange of insults then escalates into tragedy before any of the participants are fully aware of what has happened. Photographed by Pasqualino DeSantis on various locations in Italy Romeo and Juliet was one of the most profitable film adaptations of Shakespeare ever produced. Its most lasting legacy is its popular main theme music composed by Nino Rota.

Director Franco Zeffirelli 's 1968 version of Shakespeare 's Romeo and Juliet was touted at the time of its release ( successfully , if the box - office receipts are any indication ), as something of a "youth trip" movie. This is because Zeffirelli broke the long - standing tradition of casting over - aged , sometimes grey - haired players in the title roles. Seventeen - year - old Leonard Whiting plays Romeo , with 15 - year - old Olivia Hussey as Juliet. The youthfulness and inexperience of the leading players works beautifully in the more passionate sequences ( some of these breaking further ground by being played in the nude ) . Among the younger players are Michael York as Tybalt and John McEnery as Mercutio. The duel between Romeo and Tybalt starts out as a harmless , frat - boy exchange of insults , then escalates into tragedy before any of the participants are fully aware of what has happened. Photographed by Pasqualino DeSantis on various locations in Italy , Romeo and Juliet was one of the most profitable film adaptations of Shakespeare ever produced. Its most lasting legacy is its popular main theme music , composed by Nino Rota .

Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) a Philadelphia boxer is but one step removed from total bum-hood. A once-promising pugilist Rocky is now taking nickel-and-dime bouts and running strongarm errands for local loan sharks to survive. Even his supportive trainer Mickey (Burgess Meredith) has given up on Rocky. All this changes thanks to Muhammad Ali-like super-boxer Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). With the Bicentennial celebration coming up Creed must find a "Cinderella" opponent for the big July 4th bout -- some unknown whom Creed can "glorify" for a few minutes before knocking him cold. Rocky Balboa was not the only Cinderella involved here: writer/director Sylvester Stallone himself a virtual unknown managed to sell his Rocky script (one of 35 that he'd written over the years) on the proviso that he be given the starring role. Since the film was to be made on a shoestring and marketed on a low-level basis the risk factor to United Artists was small. For Stallone this was a make-or-break opportunity -- just like Rocky's million-to-one shot with Apollo Creed. Costing under a million dollars Rocky managed to register with audiences everywhere earning back 60 times its cost. The film won several Academy Awards including Best Picture.

Rocky Balboa ( Sylvester Stallone ), a Philadelphia boxer , is but one step removed from total bum - hood. A once - promising pugilist , Rocky is now taking nickel - and - dime bouts and running strongarm errands for local loan sharks to survive. Even his supportive trainer , Mickey ( Burgess Meredith ), has given up on Rocky. All this changes thanks to Muhammad Ali - like super - boxer Apollo Creed ( Carl Weathers ) . With the Bicentennial celebration coming up , Creed must find a "Cinderella" opponent for the big July 4th bout -- some unknown whom Creed can "glorify" for a few minutes before knocking him cold. Rocky Balboa was not the only Cinderella involved here : writer / director Sylvester Stallone , himself a virtual unknown , managed to sell his Rocky script ( one of 35 that he'd written over the years ) on the proviso that he be given the starring role. Since the film was to be made on a shoestring and marketed on a low - level basis , the risk factor to United Artists was small. For Stallone , this was a make - or - break opportunity -- just like Rocky 's million - to - one shot with Apollo Creed. Costing under a million dollars , Rocky managed to register with audiences everywhere , earning back 60 times its cost. The film won several Academy Awards , including Best Picture.

While this original movie version of Lorraine Hansberry's award-winning play may have dated somewhat it was groundbreaking when first released in 1961 and a wealth of future plays films and TV productions have taken their lead from this socially conscious drama about a struggling African-American family. Lena Younger (Claudia McNeil) is a strong proud woman who has raised a family in a crowded apartment on the South Side of Chicago. Her son Walter Lee (Sidney Poitier) works as a chauffeur; intelligent and ambitious but impulsive and often angry he desperately wants to get ahead in a world that offers him few opportunities. His wife Ruth (Ruby Dee) takes in laundry to help make ends meet and watches over their son. Younger daughter Beneatha (Diana Sands) is a college student who wants to become a doctor and often speaks of searching for her cultural identity. On the death of her husband Lena becomes the beneficiary of a $10000 life insurance payment and suddenly the family is in conflict over how the money should be spent. Lena wants to use the money for a down payment on a house. Beneatha is hoping that Lena will help her pay for medical school. And Walter Lee wants to go into business with friends who plan to open a liquor store which he's convinced will be a sure money maker. The cast nearly all reprising their roles from the original Broadway production offers a collection of superb performances; also keep an eye peeled for a young Louis Gossett Jr. as George Murchison. While Daniel Petrie's direction never takes A Raisin in the Sun very far from its roots as a stage play it captures the power and tension of a strong ensemble cast working with an intelligent and moving script.

While this original movie version of Lorraine Hansberry 's award - winning play may have dated somewhat , it was groundbreaking when first released in 1961 , and a wealth of future plays , films , and TV productions have taken their lead from this socially conscious drama about a struggling African - American family. Lena Younger ( Claudia McNeil ) is a strong , proud woman who has raised a family in a crowded apartment on the South Side of Chicago. Her son Walter Lee ( Sidney Poitier ) works as a chauffeur ; intelligent and ambitious but impulsive and often angry , he desperately wants to get ahead in a world that offers him few opportunities. His wife Ruth ( Ruby Dee ) takes in laundry to help make ends meet and watches over their son. Younger daughter Beneatha ( Diana Sands ) is a college student who wants to become a doctor and often speaks of searching for her cultural identity. On the death of her husband , Lena becomes the beneficiary of a $10 , 000 life insurance payment , and suddenly the family is in conflict over how the money should be spent. Lena wants to use the money for a down payment on a house. Beneatha is hoping that Lena will help her pay for medical school. And Walter Lee wants to go into business with friends who plan to open a liquor store , which he's convinced will be a sure money maker. The cast , nearly all reprising their roles from the original Broadway production , offers a collection of superb performances ; also keep an eye peeled for a young Louis Gossett Jr. as George Murchison. While Daniel Petrie 's direction never takes A Raisin in the Sun very far from its roots as a stage play , it captures the power and tension of a strong ensemble cast working with an intelligent and moving script.

The phenomenal success and international acclaim of Raise the Red Lantern cemented Zhang Yimou's status as a leading figure in world cinema and reaffirmed the vibrancy of Chinese cinema. Though the film was the topic of great political controversy in China upon its release it received armfuls of awards from Belgium Italy the United Kingdom and a nomination for an Academy Award. This sumptuously photographed drama set in Northern China in the 1920s and based on the novel Wives and Concubines by Su Tong stars Gong Li as Songlian the fourth wife of an elderly landlord. Songlian is a college student who has been married off by her stepmother so it is with tremendous frustration that this woman who had hopes of using her education to broaden her horizons now finds herself reduced to a small enclosure at the beck and call of her husband. Despite being given a maid (Kong Lin) and luxurious surroundings she feels trapped inside the cheerless walls. Upon her arrival Songlian realizes that she must keep one step ahead of her rivals the three other wives. She also learns of her husband's tradition of lighting a lantern outside of the house of the wife with whom he intends to spend the night. During the first night together with her husband she finds he is called away to tend to his spoiled third wife (He Caifei). Songlian then becomes acquainted with his other wives -- his first wife (Jin Shuyuan) an elderly woman who ignores Songlian; the third wife an ex-opera singer; and the second wife (Cao Cuifeng) who offers Songlian friendship and helpful advice. But it turns out that the second wife's motives are not exactly innocent--she is conspiring with Songlian's maid to undermine both the third wife and Songlian. Raise the Red Lantern is a moving exploration of power in a suffocating world of ossified tradition and naked ambition-a masterpiece of 1990s world cinema.

The phenomenal success and international acclaim of Raise the Red Lantern , cemented Zhang Yimou 's status as a leading figure in world cinema and reaffirmed the vibrancy of Chinese cinema. Though the film was the topic of great political controversy in China upon its release , it received armfuls of awards from Belgium , Italy , the United Kingdom and a nomination for an Academy Award. This sumptuously photographed drama , set in Northern China in the 1920s and based on the novel Wives and Concubines by Su Tong , stars Gong Li as Songlian , the fourth wife of an elderly landlord. Songlian is a college student who has been married off by her stepmother , so it is with tremendous frustration that this woman , who had hopes of using her education to broaden her horizons , now finds herself reduced to a small enclosure at the beck and call of her husband. Despite being given a maid ( Kong Lin ) and luxurious surroundings , she feels trapped inside the cheerless walls. Upon her arrival , Songlian realizes that she must keep one step ahead of her rivals , the three other wives. She also learns of her husband's tradition of lighting a lantern outside of the house of the wife with whom he intends to spend the night. During the first night together with her husband , she finds he is called away to tend to his spoiled third wife ( He Caifei ) . Songlian then becomes acquainted with his other wives -- his first wife ( Jin Shuyuan ), an elderly woman who ignores Songlian ; the third wife , an ex - opera singer ; and the second wife ( Cao Cuifeng ), who offers Songlian friendship and helpful advice. But it turns out that the second wife's motives are not exactly innocent -- she is conspiring with Songlian's maid to undermine both the third wife and Songlian. Raise the Red Lantern is a moving exploration of power in a suffocating world of ossified tradition and naked ambition - a masterpiece of 1990s world cinema.

Martin Scorsese's brutal character study incisively portrays the true rise and fall and redemption of middleweight boxer Jake La Motta a violent man in and out of the ring who thrives on his ability (and desire) to take a beating. Opening with the spectacle of the over-the-hill La Motta (Robert De Niro) practicing his 1960s night-club act the film flashes back to 1940s New York when Jake's career is on the rise. Despite pressure from the local mobsters Jake trusts his brother Joey (Joe Pesci) to help him make it to a title bout against Sugar Ray Robinson the honest way; the Mob however will not cave in. Jake gets the title bout and blonde teenage second wife Vickie (Cathy Moriarty) but success does nothing to exorcise his demons even as he channels his rage into boxing. Alienating Vickie and Joey and disastrously gaining weight Jake has destroyed his personal and professional lives by the 1950s. After he hits bottom however Jake emerges with a gleam of self-awareness as he sits rehearsing Marlon Brando's On the Waterfront speech in his dressing room mirror: "I coulda been a contender I coulda been somebody." Working with a script adapted by Mardik Martin and Paul Schrader from La Motta's memoirs Scorsese and De Niro sought to make an uncompromising portrait of an unlikable man and his ruthless profession. Eschewing uplifting Rocky-like boxing movie conventions their Jake is relentlessly cruel and self-destructive; the only peace he can make is with himself. Michael Chapman's stark black-and-white photography creates a documentary/tabloid realism; the production famously shut down so that De Niro could gain 50-plus pounds. Raging Bull opened in late 1980 to raves for its artistry and revulsion for its protagonist; despite eight Oscar nominations it underperformed at the box office as audiences increasingly turned away from "difficult" films in the late '70s and early '80s. The Academy concurred passing over Scorsese's work for Best Director and Picture in favor of Robert Redford and Ordinary People although De Niro won a much-deserved Oscar as did the film's editor Thelma Schoonmaker. Oscar or no Oscar Raging Bull has often been cited as the best American film of the 1980s.

Martin Scorsese 's brutal character study incisively portrays the true rise and fall and redemption of middleweight boxer Jake La Motta , a violent man in and out of the ring who thrives on his ability ( and desire ) to take a beating. Opening with the spectacle of the over - the - hill La Motta ( Robert De Niro ) practicing his 1960s night - club act , the film flashes back to 1940s New York , when Jake's career is on the rise. Despite pressure from the local mobsters , Jake trusts his brother Joey ( Joe Pesci ) to help him make it to a title bout against Sugar Ray Robinson the honest way ; the Mob , however , will not cave in. Jake gets the title bout , and blonde teenage second wife Vickie ( Cathy Moriarty ), but success does nothing to exorcise his demons , even as he channels his rage into boxing. Alienating Vickie and Joey , and disastrously gaining weight , Jake has destroyed his personal and professional lives by the 1950s. After he hits bottom , however , Jake emerges with a gleam of self - awareness , as he sits rehearsing Marlon Brando 's On the Waterfront speech in his dressing room mirror : "I coulda been a contender , I coulda been somebody." Working with a script adapted by Mardik Martin and Paul Schrader from La Motta 's memoirs , Scorsese and De Niro sought to make an uncompromising portrait of an unlikable man and his ruthless profession. Eschewing uplifting Rocky - like boxing movie conventions , their Jake is relentlessly cruel and self - destructive ; the only peace he can make is with himself. Michael Chapman 's stark black - and - white photography creates a documentary / tabloid realism ; the production famously shut down so that De Niro could gain 50 - plus pounds. Raging Bull opened in late 1980 to raves for its artistry and revulsion for its protagonist ; despite eight Oscar nominations , it underperformed at the box office , as audiences increasingly turned away from "difficult" films in the late '70s and early '80s. The Academy concurred , passing over Scorsese 's work for Best Director and Picture in favor of Robert Redford and Ordinary People , although De Niro won a much - deserved Oscar , as did the film's editor , Thelma Schoonmaker . Oscar or no Oscar , Raging Bull has often been cited as the best American film of the 1980s.

Peter Weir's haunting and evocative mystery is set in the Australia of 1900 a mystical place where the British have attempted to impose their Christian culture with such tweedy refinements as a girls' boarding school. After gauzily-photographed nicely underplayed scenes of the girls' budding sexuality being restrained in Victorian corsets the uptight headmistress (Rachel Roberts) takes them on a Valentine's Day picnic into the countryside and several of the girls led by the lovely Miranda (Anne Lambert) decide to explore a nearby volcanic rock formation. It's a desolate primitive vaguely menacing place where one can almost feel the presence of ancient pagan spirits. Something -- and there is an unspoken but palpable emphasis on the inherent carnality of the place -- draws four of the girls to explore the rock. Three never return. No one ever finds out why. The repercussions for the school are tragic and of course Roberts reacts with near-crazed anger but what really happened? Weir gives enough clues to suggest any number of explanations both physical and supernatural.

Peter Weir 's haunting and evocative mystery is set in the Australia of 1900 , a mystical place where the British have attempted to impose their Christian culture with such tweedy refinements as a girls' boarding school. After gauzily - photographed , nicely underplayed scenes of the girls' budding sexuality being restrained in Victorian corsets , the uptight headmistress ( Rachel Roberts ) takes them on a Valentine's Day picnic into the countryside , and several of the girls , led by the lovely Miranda ( Anne Lambert ) decide to explore a nearby volcanic rock formation. It's a desolate , primitive , vaguely menacing place , where one can almost feel the presence of ancient pagan spirits. Something -- and there is an unspoken but palpable emphasis on the inherent carnality of the place -- draws four of the girls to explore the rock. Three never return. No one ever finds out why. The repercussions for the school are tragic , and of course Roberts reacts with near - crazed anger , but what really happened? Weir gives enough clues to suggest any number of explanations , both physical and supernatural.

Pather Panchali (Father Panchali) Indian director Satyajit Ray's first feature film relates the story of an impoverished Bengalese family. When the father (Karuna Bannerjee) leaves for the city to pursue a writing career the mother (Karuna Banerji) is left with the responsibility of caring for the rest of the brood. Gradually the film's true central character emerges: Apu (Subir Banerji) the family's son. Though excruciatingly realistic at times Pather Panchali takes an occasional timeout to dwell on the purely cinematic. For example when the mother receives a postcard bearing good news Ray dissolves to a pond where a pair of water skates scamper about. The music by Ravi Shankar at first seems to be at odds with the action; soon however we come to accept the music as a logical outgrowth of the events at hand. A multiple award winner Pather Panchali was the first of Ray's celebrated "Apu Trilogy" (the other two entries were 1956's Aparajito and 1959's The World of Apu). The film was also released as The Song of the Road and The Lament of the Path.

Pather Panchali ( Father Panchali ), Indian director Satyajit Ray 's first feature film , relates the story of an impoverished Bengalese family. When the father ( Karuna Bannerjee ) leaves for the city to pursue a writing career , the mother ( Karuna Banerji ) is left with the responsibility of caring for the rest of the brood. Gradually , the film's true central character emerges : Apu ( Subir Banerji ), the family's son. Though excruciatingly realistic at times , Pather Panchali takes an occasional timeout to dwell on the purely cinematic. For example , when the mother receives a postcard bearing good news , Ray dissolves to a pond , where a pair of water skates scamper about. The music by Ravi Shankar at first seems to be at odds with the action ; soon , however , we come to accept the music as a logical outgrowth of the events at hand. A multiple award winner , Pather Panchali was the first of Ray 's celebrated "Apu Trilogy" ( the other two entries were 1956's Aparajito and 1959's The World of Apu ) . The film was also released as The Song of the Road and The Lament of the Path .

This classic story of Mob informers was based on a number of true stories and filmed on location in and around the docks of New York and New Jersey. Mob-connected union boss Johnny Friendly (Lee J. Cobb) rules the waterfront with an iron fist. The police know that he's been responsible for a number of murders but witnesses play deaf and dumb ("plead D & D"). Washed-up boxer Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando) has had an errand-boy job because of the influence of his brother Charley a crooked union lawyer (Rod Steiger). Witnessing one of Friendly's rub-outs Terry is willing to keep his mouth shut until he meets the dead dockworker's sister Edie (Eva Marie Saint). "Waterfront priest" Father Barry (Karl Malden) tells Terry that Edie's brother was killed because he was going to testify against boss Friendly before the crime commission. Because he could have intervened but didn't Terry feels somewhat responsible for the death. When Father Barry receives a beating from Friendly's goons Terry is persuaded to cooperate with the commission. Featuring Brando's famous "I coulda been a contendah" speech On the Waterfront has often been seen as an allegory of "naming names" against suspected Communists during the anti-Communist investigations of the 1950s. Director Elia Kazan famously informed on suspected Communists before a government committee -- unlike many of his colleagues some of whom went to prison for refusing to "name names" and many more of whom were blacklisted from working in the film industry for many years to come -- and Budd Schulberg's screenplay has often been read as an elaborate defense of the informer's position. On the Waterfront won Oscars for Best Picture Best Director Best Adapted Screenplay Best Actor for Brando and Best Supporting Actress for Saint.

This classic story of Mob informers was based on a number of true stories and filmed on location in and around the docks of New York and New Jersey. Mob - connected union boss Johnny Friendly ( Lee J. Cobb ) rules the waterfront with an iron fist. The police know that he's been responsible for a number of murders , but witnesses play deaf and dumb ( "plead D & D" ) . Washed - up boxer Terry Malloy ( Marlon Brando ) has had an errand - boy job because of the influence of his brother Charley , a crooked union lawyer ( Rod Steiger ) . Witnessing one of Friendly's rub - outs , Terry is willing to keep his mouth shut until he meets the dead dockworker's sister , Edie ( Eva Marie Saint ) . "Waterfront priest" Father Barry ( Karl Malden ) tells Terry that Edie's brother was killed because he was going to testify against boss Friendly before the crime commission. Because he could have intervened , but didn't , Terry feels somewhat responsible for the death. When Father Barry receives a beating from Friendly's goons , Terry is persuaded to cooperate with the commission. Featuring Brando 's famous "I coulda been a contendah" speech , On the Waterfront has often been seen as an allegory of "naming names" against suspected Communists during the anti - Communist investigations of the 1950s. Director Elia Kazan famously informed on suspected Communists before a government committee -- unlike many of his colleagues , some of whom went to prison for refusing to "name names" and many more of whom were blacklisted from working in the film industry for many years to come -- and Budd Schulberg 's screenplay has often been read as an elaborate defense of the informer's position. On the Waterfront won Oscars for Best Picture , Best Director , Best Adapted Screenplay , Best Actor for Brando , and Best Supporting Actress for Saint .

Following 24 characters through 5 days in the country music capital Robert Altman's 1975 epic presents a complexly textured portrayal (and critique) of American obsessions with celebrity and power. Among the various stars aspirants hangers-on observers and media folk are politically ambitious country icon Haven Hamilton (Henry Gibson) and his fragile star protegée Barbara Jean (Ronee Blakley); Tom (Keith Carradine) a self-absorbed rock star who woos lonely married gospel singer Linnea Reese (Lily Tomlin); Sueleen Gay (Gwen Welles) a talentless waitress painfully humiliated at her first singing gig; Albuquerque (Barbara Harris) a runaway wife with dreams of stardom; nightclub owner Lady Pearl (Barbara Baxley) who reminisces about "those Kennedy boys"; single-minded groupie L.A. Joan (Shelley Duvall); vapid BBC commentator Opal (Geraldine Chaplin); and campaign guru John Triplette (Michael Murphy) who is trying to organize a concert rally for the unseen but always heard populist presidential candidate-cum-demagogue Hal Phillip Walker. Everything comes to a head during a climactic concert at Nashville's replica of the Parthenon temple as the entertainment-hungry audience is momentarily woken out of its stupor by unexpected violence only to be lulled into a restorative sing-along to "It Don't Worry Me."

Following 24 characters through 5 days in the country music capital , Robert Altman 's 1975 epic presents a complexly textured portrayal ( and critique ) of American obsessions with celebrity and power. Among the various stars , aspirants , hangers - on , observers , and media folk are politically ambitious country icon Haven Hamilton ( Henry Gibson ) and his fragile star protegée Barbara Jean ( Ronee Blakley ); Tom ( Keith Carradine ), a self - absorbed rock star who woos lonely married gospel singer Linnea Reese ( Lily Tomlin ); Sueleen Gay ( Gwen Welles ), a talentless waitress painfully humiliated at her first singing gig ; Albuquerque ( Barbara Harris ), a runaway wife with dreams of stardom ; nightclub owner Lady Pearl ( Barbara Baxley ), who reminisces about "those Kennedy boys" ; single - minded groupie L.A. Joan ( Shelley Duvall ); vapid BBC commentator Opal ( Geraldine Chaplin ); and campaign guru John Triplette ( Michael Murphy ), who is trying to organize a concert rally for the unseen but always heard populist presidential candidate - cum - demagogue Hal Phillip Walker. Everything comes to a head during a climactic concert at Nashville's replica of the Parthenon temple , as the entertainment - hungry audience is momentarily woken out of its stupor by unexpected violence , only to be lulled into a restorative sing - along to "It Don't Worry Me."

ased on a James Leo Herlihy novel British director John Schlesinger's first American film dramatized the small hopes dashed dreams and unlikely friendship of two late '60s lost souls. Dreaming of an easy life as a fantasy cowboy stud cheerful Texas rube Joe Buck (Jon Voight) heads to New York City to be a gigolo but he quickly discovers that hustling isn't what he thought it would be after he winds up paying his first trick (Sylvia Miles). He gets swindled by gimpy tubercular grifter Rico "Ratso" Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman) but when Joe falls in the direst of straits Ratso takes Joe into his condemned apartment so that they can help each other survive. Things start to look up when Joe finally lands his first legit female customer (Brenda Vaccaro) at a Warhol-esque party; Ratso's health however fails. Joe turns a final trick to get the money for one selfless goal: taking Ratso out of New York to his dream life in Miami. One of the first major studio films given the newly minted X rating for its then-frank portrayal of New York decadence Midnight Cowboy was critically praised for Schlesinger's insight into American lives with the intercut mosaic of Joe's memories and Ratso's dreams lending their characters and actions greater psychological complexity. While they may have been drawn by the seamy content (tame by current standards) the young late '60s audience responded to Joe's and Ratso's confusion amidst turbulent times and to the connection they make with each other despite their alienation from the surrounding culture. Midnight Cowboy became one of the major financial and artistic hits of 1969 winning Oscars for Best Picture (the first for an X-rated film) Best Director and former blacklistee Waldo Salt's screenplay. Though the one-two punch of Midnight Cowboy and The Graduate (1967) proved Hoffman's range and Voight's Joe Buck made him a star both lost Best Actor to classical cowboy John Wayne for True Grit. The film was later re-rated R by the MPAA.

Based on a James Leo Herlihy novel , British director John Schlesinger 's first American film dramatized the small hopes , dashed dreams , and unlikely friendship of two late '60s lost souls. Dreaming of an easy life as a fantasy cowboy stud , cheerful Texas rube Joe Buck ( Jon Voight ) heads to New York City to be a gigolo , but he quickly discovers that hustling isn't what he thought it would be after he winds up paying his first trick ( Sylvia Miles ) . He gets swindled by gimpy tubercular grifter Rico "Ratso" Rizzo ( Dustin Hoffman ) but , when Joe falls in the direst of straits , Ratso takes Joe into his condemned apartment so that they can help each other survive. Things start to look up when Joe finally lands his first legit female customer ( Brenda Vaccaro ) at a Warhol - esque party ; Ratso's health , however , fails. Joe turns a final trick to get the money for one selfless goal : taking Ratso out of New York to his dream life in Miami. One of the first major studio films given the newly minted X rating for its then - frank portrayal of New York decadence , Midnight Cowboy was critically praised for Schlesinger's insight into American lives , with the intercut mosaic of Joe's memories and Ratso's dreams lending their characters and actions greater psychological complexity. While they may have been drawn by the seamy content ( tame by current standards ), the young late '60s audience responded to Joe's and Ratso's confusion amidst turbulent times and to the connection they make with each other despite their alienation from the surrounding culture. Midnight Cowboy became one of the major financial and artistic hits of 1969 , winning Oscars for Best Picture ( the first for an X - rated film ), Best Director , and former blacklistee Waldo Salt 's screenplay. Though the one - two punch of Midnight Cowboy and The Graduate ( 1967 ) proved Hoffman's range and Voight's Joe Buck made him a star , both lost Best Actor to classical cowboy John Wayne for True Grit . The film was later re - rated R by the MPAA.

"I love to shoot film" is the sanguine motto of TV lensman John Cassellis (Robert Forster) in Haskell Wexler's 1969 Medium Cool a semi-documentary investigation of image-making and politics. With his soundman Gus (Peter Bonerz) John films such events as gruesome car wrecks with frosty detachment considering himself a mere recorder of circumstances his only responsibility to get his film in on time. Even his girlfriend Ruth (Marianna Hill) cannot understand or penetrate John's complacency. Encounters with signs of the late '60s times however raise John's consciousness about the implications of his job as he films a verbal attack by black militants on the media's racism gets fired after he objects to having that footage turned over to the FBI and meets Vietnam War widow Eileen (Verna Bloom). John witnesses the violence of the state firsthand as he and Eileen search for her son amidst the real-life demonstrations and riots at the 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention. Even though he realizes the political power of pointing a camera at anything John finally cannot extricate himself or his loved ones from a culture obsessed with recording any sensational gory incident. Scripted (from a novel by Jack Couffer) directed and shot by Oscar-winning cinematographer and political activist Wexler Medium Cool systematically questions the ideological power of images by combining documentary techniques such as "talking heads" and cinéma vérité with staged scenes between the actors. By the time Wexler and his crew start filming Forster and Bloom among the actual events at the convention all barriers between fiction and fact are broken down as Wexler's assistant can be heard warning "Watch out Haskell it's real" when tear gas is thrown. The footage of cops clubbing people in the crowd is real but Wexler's presence also turns it into part of a fictional story revealing filmed "reality" to be as artificially constructed as any other fiction subject to the interpretation of whoever holds the camera and perhaps to larger institutions of power. Funding Medium Cool partly out of his own resources Wexler had free reign during production but when the execs at Paramount saw the result they were not pleased. Despite the timely subject matter Paramount delayed and then curtailed the film's release tempering its impact on critics and audiences. Regardless of that record Medium Cool stands as a vital late-'60s film for its incisive narrative and formal dissection of the visual politics of "truth" and its awareness of how coolly seductive televised violence might be as entertainment especially in a historical moment marked by incendiary images of political assassinations the Vietnam War the civil rights movement and counterculture protests.

"I love to shoot film" is the sanguine motto of TV lensman John Cassellis ( Robert Forster ) in Haskell Wexler 's 1969 Medium Cool , a semi - documentary investigation of image - making and politics. With his soundman , Gus ( Peter Bonerz ), John films such events as gruesome car wrecks with frosty detachment , considering himself a mere recorder of circumstances , his only responsibility to get his film in on time. Even his girlfriend , Ruth ( Marianna Hill ), cannot understand or penetrate John's complacency. Encounters with signs of the late '60s times , however , raise John's consciousness about the implications of his job , as he films a verbal attack by black militants on the media's racism , gets fired after he objects to having that footage turned over to the FBI , and meets Vietnam War widow Eileen ( Verna Bloom ) . John witnesses the violence of the state firsthand as he and Eileen search for her son amidst the real - life demonstrations and riots at the 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention. Even though he realizes the political power of pointing a camera at anything , John finally cannot extricate himself or his loved ones from a culture obsessed with recording any sensational , gory incident. Scripted ( from a novel by Jack Couffer ), directed , and shot by Oscar - winning cinematographer and political activist Wexler , Medium Cool systematically questions the ideological power of images by combining documentary techniques such as "talking heads" and cinéma vérité with staged scenes between the actors. By the time Wexler and his crew start filming Forster and Bloom among the actual events at the convention , all barriers between fiction and fact are broken down , as Wexler 's assistant can be heard warning , "Watch out , Haskell , it's real , " when tear gas is thrown. The footage of cops clubbing people in the crowd is real , but Wexler 's presence also turns it into part of a fictional story , revealing filmed "reality" to be as artificially constructed as any other fiction , subject to the interpretation of whoever holds the camera and , perhaps , to larger institutions of power. Funding Medium Cool partly out of his own resources , Wexler had free reign during production , but when the execs at Paramount saw the result , they were not pleased. Despite the timely subject matter , Paramount delayed and then curtailed the film's release , tempering its impact on critics and audiences. Regardless of that record , Medium Cool stands as a vital late - '60s film for its incisive narrative and formal dissection of the visual politics of "truth , " and its awareness of how coolly seductive televised violence might be as entertainment , especially in a historical moment marked by incendiary images of political assassinations , the Vietnam War , the civil rights movement , and counterculture protests.

The film that elevated German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder from domestic approbation to international acclaim The Marriage of Maria Braun stars the director's on-and-off favorite actress Hanna Schygulla in the title role. During the allied siege of Germany in the last year of the war Maria's new husband (Klaus Löwitsch) is shipped off to the Russian front before the marriage is consummated. As she struggles to survive wartime deprivations Maria haunts the local train station seeking out information concerning her husband. When it appears that she's a widow Maria takes a job as a barmaid and befriends a black soldier (George Byrd) from the occupying allied troops who sees to it that Maria's family receives vital food and supplies. The opportunistic Maria eventually takes a job with a wealthy importer (Ivan Desny) building herself up to a position of power and indispensability. Though she sleeps with her employer Maria still carries a torch for her husband.

The film that elevated German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder from domestic approbation to international acclaim , The Marriage of Maria Braun stars the director's on - and - off favorite actress Hanna Schygulla in the title role. During the allied siege of Germany in the last year of the war , Maria's new husband ( Klaus Löwitsch ) is shipped off to the Russian front before the marriage is consummated. As she struggles to survive wartime deprivations , Maria haunts the local train station , seeking out information concerning her husband. When it appears that she's a widow , Maria takes a job as a barmaid and befriends a black soldier ( George Byrd ) from the occupying allied troops , who sees to it that Maria's family receives vital food and supplies. The opportunistic Maria eventually takes a job with a wealthy importer ( Ivan Desny ), building herself up to a position of power and indispensability. Though she sleeps with her employer , Maria still carries a torch for her husband.

Writer-director Spike Lee's epic portrayal of the life and times of the slain civil rights leader Malcolm X begins with the cross-cut imagery of the police beating of black motorist Rodney King juxtaposed with an American flag burning into the shape of the letter X. When the film's narrative begins moments later it jumps back to World War II-era Boston where Malcolm Little (Denzel Washington) is making his living as a hustler. The son of a Baptist preacher who was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan Little was raised by foster parents after his mother was deemed clinically insane; as an adult he turned to a life of crime which leads to his imprisonment on burglary charges. In jail Little receives epiphany in the form of an introduction to Islam; he is especially taken with the lessons of Elijah Mohammed who comes to him in a vision. Adopting the name 'Malcolm X' as a rejection of the 'Little' surname (given his family by white slave owners) he meets the real Elijah Mohammed (Al Freeman Jr.) upon exiting prison and begins work as a spokesman for the Nation of Islam. Marriage to a Muslim nurse named Betty Shabazz (Angela Bassett) follows after which X spearheads a well-attended march on a Harlem hospital housing a Muslim recovering from an episode of police brutality. The march's success helps elevate X to the position of Islam's national spokesperson. There is dissension in the ranks however and soon X is targeted for assassination by other Nation leaders; even Elijah Mohammed fears Malcolm's growing influence. After getting wind of the murder plot X leaves the Nation of Islam embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca that proves revelatory; renouncing his separatist beliefs his oratories begin embracing all races and cultures. During a 1965 speech Malcolm X is shot and killed reportedly by Nation of Islam members.

Writer - director Spike Lee's epic portrayal of the life and times of the slain civil rights leader Malcolm X begins with the cross - cut imagery of the police beating of black motorist Rodney King juxtaposed with an American flag burning into the shape of the letter X. When the film's narrative begins moments later , it jumps back to World War II - era Boston , where Malcolm Little ( Denzel Washington ) is making his living as a hustler. The son of a Baptist preacher who was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan , Little was raised by foster parents after his mother was deemed clinically insane ; as an adult , he turned to a life of crime , which leads to his imprisonment on burglary charges. In jail , Little receives epiphany in the form of an introduction to Islam ; he is especially taken with the lessons of Elijah Mohammed , who comes to him in a vision. Adopting the name 'Malcolm X' as a rejection of the 'Little' surname ( given his family by white slave owners ), he meets the real Elijah Mohammed ( Al Freeman , Jr . ) upon exiting prison , and begins work as a spokesman for the Nation of Islam. Marriage to a Muslim nurse named Betty Shabazz ( Angela Bassett ) follows , after which X spearheads a well - attended march on a Harlem hospital housing a Muslim recovering from an episode of police brutality. The march's success helps elevate X to the position of Islam's national spokesperson. There is dissension in the ranks , however , and soon X is targeted for assassination by other Nation leaders ; even Elijah Mohammed fears Malcolm's growing influence. After getting wind of the murder plot , X leaves the Nation of Islam , embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca that proves revelatory ; renouncing his separatist beliefs , his oratories begin embracing all races and cultures. During a 1965 speech , Malcolm X is shot and killed , reportedly by Nation of Islam members.

Peter Weir follows up on his critically acclaimed masterpiece Picnic at Hanging Rock with this surrealist psychological drama. The film opens with a freak hailstorm in Australia's outback. Cut to David Burton (Richard Chamberlain) a well-to-do Sydney corporate lawyer plagued by visions of impending doom who is assigned to defend five accused of murdering a fellow Aborigine. The case itself proves to be mysterious -- no exact cause of death can be determined by the pathologist and the accused remain strangely tight-lipped about the whole affair. As his visions grow increasingly weird and intense Burton sees in his dream one of the five Aborigines Chris (David Gulpili of Walkabout fame) who is drenched and clutching a sacred rock. Burton's interest in the case slides into complete obsession and he comes to believe that not only was the murder related to an underground urban tribe of Aborigines but that Australia is about to be decimated by a massive apocalyptic tidal wave.

Peter Weir follows up on his critically acclaimed masterpiece Picnic at Hanging Rock with this surrealist psychological drama. The film opens with a freak hailstorm in Australia's outback. Cut to David Burton ( Richard Chamberlain ), a well - to - do Sydney corporate lawyer plagued by visions of impending doom who is assigned to defend five accused of murdering a fellow Aborigine. The case itself proves to be mysterious -- no exact cause of death can be determined by the pathologist , and the accused remain strangely tight - lipped about the whole affair. As his visions grow increasingly weird and intense , Burton sees in his dream one of the five Aborigines , Chris ( David Gulpili of Walkabout fame ), who is drenched and clutching a sacred rock. Burton's interest in the case slides into complete obsession , and he comes to believe that not only was the murder related to an underground urban tribe of Aborigines but that Australia is about to be decimated by a massive , apocalyptic tidal wave.

In Bernardo Bertolucci's art-house classic Marlon Brando delivers one of his characteristically idiosyncratic performances as Paul a middle-aged American in "emotional exile" who comes to Paris when his estranged wife commits suicide. Chancing to meet young Frenchwoman Jeanne (Maria Schneider) Paul enters into a sadomasochistic carnal relationship with her indirectly attacking the hypocrisy all around him through his raw outrageous sexual behavior. Paul also hopes to purge himself of his own feelings of guilt brilliantly (and profanely) articulated in a largely ad-libbed monologue at his wife's coffin. If the sexual content in Last Tango is uncomfortably explicit (once seen the infamous "butter scene" is never forgotten) the combination of Brando's acting Bertolucci's direction Vittorio Storaro's cinematography and Gato Barbieri's music is unbeatable creating one of the classic European art movies of the 1970s albeit one that is not for all viewers.

In Bernardo Bertolucci 's art - house classic , Marlon Brando delivers one of his characteristically idiosyncratic performances as Paul , a middle - aged American in "emotional exile" who comes to Paris when his estranged wife commits suicide. Chancing to meet young Frenchwoman Jeanne ( Maria Schneider ), Paul enters into a sadomasochistic , carnal relationship with her , indirectly attacking the hypocrisy all around him through his raw , outrageous sexual behavior. Paul also hopes to purge himself of his own feelings of guilt , brilliantly ( and profanely ) articulated in a largely ad - libbed monologue at his wife's coffin. If the sexual content in Last Tango is uncomfortably explicit ( once seen , the infamous "butter scene" is never forgotten ), the combination of Brando's acting , Bertolucci's direction , Vittorio Storaro 's cinematography , and Gato Barbieri 's music is unbeatable , creating one of the classic European art movies of the 1970s , albeit one that is not for all viewers.

Produced by Hollywood iconoclast BBS Productions film critic-turned-director Peter Bogdanovich's 1971 film pays homage to Hollywood's classical age as it chronicles generational rites of passage in Anarene a fictional one-horse Texas town. In 1951 high school seniors Sonny (Timothy Bottoms) and Duane (Jeff Bridges) play football go to the movies at the Royal Theater hang out at the pool hall owned by local elder statesman Sam the Lion (Ben Johnson) and lust after rich tease Jacy Farrow (Cybill Shepherd in her film debut). As the year passes Sonny learns about the pitfalls and compromises of adulthood through an affair with his coach's wife Ruth (Cloris Leachman) and a thwarted elopement with Jacy after she dumps Duane. Following two tragic deaths and with Duane gone to Korea and Jacy packed off to college in Dallas Sonny is left behind in Anarene wise enough to absorb the life lessons of Sam the Lion and Jacy's mother Lois (Ellen Burstyn). He is determined to honor Sam's legacy as the town's conscience despite a telling sign of incipient communal disintegration: the closing of the Royal Theater after a final showing of Howard Hawks's Red River. Paying tribute to classical Hollywood directors like Hawks and John Ford Bogdanovich used old-time cinematographer Robert Surtees and shot The Last Picture Show in crisp black-and-white with a restrained style devoid of the kind of "new wave" techniques (jump cuts zooms and jittery hand-held camerawork) used by such contemporaries as Arthur Penn Robert Altman Mike Nichols and Martin Scorsese. As in such Ford films as The Grapes of Wrath (1940) Bogdanovich relies on careful visual composition in deep focus to help communicate the regret over the passing of an era. Hailed as one of the best films by a young director since Citizen Kane (1941) The Last Picture Show premiered at the New York Film Festival and went on to become a hit. It was also nominated for eight Oscars including Best Picture Best Director and Best Screenplay for Larry McMurtry's and Bogdanovich's adaptation of McMurtry's novel. John Ford stalwart Johnson won Supporting Actor and Leachman won Supporting Actress beating out their cohorts Bridges and Burstyn. For an audience steeped in movie history and caught up in the chaotic 1971 present The Last Picture Show presented a nostalgic look backward that was not so much an escape from the present as a coming to terms with what the present had lost. Its 1990 sequel Texasville in which Bridges and Shepherd played later incarnations of their original characters was not as successful.

Produced by Hollywood iconoclast BBS Productions , film critic - turned - director Peter Bogdanovich 's 1971 film pays homage to Hollywood's classical age as it chronicles generational rites of passage in Anarene , a fictional one - horse Texas town. In 1951 , high school seniors Sonny ( Timothy Bottoms ) and Duane ( Jeff Bridges ) play football , go to the movies at the Royal Theater , hang out at the pool hall owned by local elder statesman Sam the Lion ( Ben Johnson ), and lust after rich tease Jacy Farrow ( Cybill Shepherd in her film debut ) . As the year passes , Sonny learns about the pitfalls and compromises of adulthood through an affair with his coach's wife Ruth ( Cloris Leachman ) and a thwarted elopement with Jacy after she dumps Duane. Following two tragic deaths , and with Duane gone to Korea and Jacy packed off to college in Dallas , Sonny is left behind in Anarene , wise enough to absorb the life lessons of Sam the Lion and Jacy's mother Lois ( Ellen Burstyn ) . He is determined to honor Sam's legacy as the town's conscience , despite a telling sign of incipient communal disintegration : the closing of the Royal Theater after a final showing of Howard Hawks 's Red River . Paying tribute to classical Hollywood directors like Hawks and John Ford , Bogdanovich used old - time cinematographer Robert Surtees and shot The Last Picture Show in crisp black - and - white , with a restrained style devoid of the kind of "new wave" techniques ( jump cuts , zooms , and jittery hand - held camerawork ) used by such contemporaries as Arthur Penn , Robert Altman , Mike Nichols , and Martin Scorsese . As in such Ford films as The Grapes of Wrath ( 1940 ), Bogdanovich relies on careful visual composition in deep focus to help communicate the regret over the passing of an era. Hailed as one of the best films by a young director since Citizen Kane ( 1941 ), The Last Picture Show premiered at the New York Film Festival and went on to become a hit. It was also nominated for eight Oscars , including Best Picture , Best Director and Best Screenplay for Larry McMurtry 's and Bogdanovich's adaptation of McMurtry's novel. John Ford stalwart Johnson won Supporting Actor and Leachman won Supporting Actress , beating out their cohorts Bridges and Burstyn. For an audience steeped in movie history and caught up in the chaotic 1971 present , The Last Picture Show presented a nostalgic look backward that was not so much an escape from the present as a coming to terms with what the present had lost. Its 1990 sequel Texasville , in which Bridges and Shepherd played later incarnations of their original characters , was not as successful.

A disaffected man seeks a sense of identity in one of the key films of Hollywood's 1970s New Wave. Once a promising pianist from a family of classical musicians Bobby Eroica Dupea (Jack Nicholson in his first major starring role) leads a blue-collar life as an oil rigger living with needy waitress girlfriend Rayette (Karen Black) and bowling with their friends Elton (Billy \"Green\" Bush) and Stoney (Fannie Flagg). Feeling suffocated by responsibilities Bobby seeks out his sister Tita (Lois Smith) and discovering that his father is gravely ill he reluctantly heads back to the patrician family compound in Puget Sound with a pregnant Rayette in tow. After a road trip featuring a harangue from hitchhiker Palm (Helena Kallianiotes) about filth and Bobby's ill-fated attempt to make a menu substitution in a diner he tucks Rayette away in a motel before heading to the house. There Bobby seduces his uptight brother Carl's cultured fiancée Catherine (Susan Anspach) but Rayette shows up unexpectedly. As Rayette's crassness collides with the snobbery of the Dupea circle Bobby loses patience with both sides. After trying to reconcile with his mute father Bobby departs unwilling to give in to either destiny. Director Bob Rafelson and screenwriter Adrien Joyce (aka Carole Eastman) used the creative control afforded by the low budget to craft a European-influenced character study catching a cultural mood of anomie and resentment as it was embodied in Bobby. Neither older generation nor hippie Bobby fits in nowhere and his desire for independence conflicts with his emotional emptiness. Nicholson's nuanced performance of simmering frustration resonated with 1970 audiences caught between Nixon's "silent majority" and the troubled counterculture; a substantial hit Five Easy Pieces was nominated for several Oscars including Best Picture and Best Actor and established Nicholson as a star. Offering no "easy" answers to Bobby's existential crisis Five Easy Pieces is one of the pre-eminent films in the early-'70s cycle of alienated American art movies as even the fantasy of rebellion is reduced to merely running away.

A disaffected man seeks a sense of identity in one of the key films of Hollywood's 1970s New Wave. Once a promising pianist from a family of classical musicians , Bobby Eroica Dupea ( Jack Nicholson , in his first major starring role ) leads a blue - collar life as an oil rigger , living with needy waitress girlfriend Rayette ( Karen Black ) and bowling with their friends Elton ( Billy \ "Green \ " Bush ) and Stoney ( Fannie Flagg ) . Feeling suffocated by responsibilities , Bobby seeks out his sister , Tita ( Lois Smith ), and , discovering that his father is gravely ill , he reluctantly heads back to the patrician family compound in Puget Sound with a pregnant Rayette in tow. After a road trip featuring a harangue from hitchhiker Palm ( Helena Kallianiotes ) about filth , and Bobby's ill - fated attempt to make a menu substitution in a diner , he tucks Rayette away in a motel before heading to the house. There Bobby seduces his uptight brother Carl's cultured fiancée , Catherine ( Susan Anspach ), but Rayette shows up unexpectedly. As Rayette's crassness collides with the snobbery of the Dupea circle , Bobby loses patience with both sides. After trying to reconcile with his mute father , Bobby departs , unwilling to give in to either destiny. Director Bob Rafelson and screenwriter Adrien Joyce ( aka Carole Eastman ) used the creative control afforded by the low budget to craft a European - influenced character study , catching a cultural mood of anomie and resentment as it was embodied in Bobby. Neither older generation nor hippie , Bobby fits in nowhere , and his desire for independence conflicts with his emotional emptiness. Nicholson 's nuanced performance of simmering frustration resonated with 1970 audiences caught between Nixon 's "silent majority" and the troubled counterculture ; a substantial hit , Five Easy Pieces was nominated for several Oscars , including Best Picture and Best Actor , and established Nicholson as a star. Offering no "easy" answers to Bobby's existential crisis , Five Easy Pieces is one of the pre - eminent films in the early - '70s cycle of alienated American art movies , as even the fantasy of rebellion is reduced to merely running away.

Though he made allusions to his own life in all of his films Fanny and Alexander was the first overtly autobiographical film by Ingmar Bergman. Taking his time throughout (188 minutes to be exact) Bergman recreates several episodes from his youth using as conduits the fictional Ekdahl family. Alexander the director's alter ego is first seen at age 10 at a joyous and informal Christmas gathering of relatives and servants. Fanny is Alexander's sister; both suffer an emotional shakedown when their recently-widowed mother (Ewa Froling) marries a cold and distant minister. Stripped of their creature comforts and relaxed family atmosphere Fanny and Alexander suddenly find their childhood unendurable. The kids' grandmother (Gunn Wallgren) "kidnaps" Fanny and Alexander for the purpose of showering them with the first kindness and affection that they've had since their father's death. This "purge" of the darker elements of Fanny and Alexander's existence is accomplished at the unintentional (but applaudable) cost of the hated stepfather's life. Ingmar Bergman insisted that Fanny and Alexander originally a multipart television series pared down to feature-film length represented his final theatrical film though within a year after its release he was busy with several additional Swedish TV projects and his final work the 2003 Saraband (also produced for Swedish television) eventually received global theatrical distribution. Oscars went to Fanny and Alexander for Best Foreign Film Best Cinematography (Sven Nykvist) Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction/Set Decoration.

Though he made allusions to his own life in all of his films , Fanny and Alexander was the first overtly autobiographical film by Ingmar Bergman . Taking his time throughout ( 188 minutes to be exact ), Bergman recreates several episodes from his youth , using as conduits the fictional Ekdahl family. Alexander , the director's alter ego , is first seen at age 10 at a joyous and informal Christmas gathering of relatives and servants. Fanny is Alexander's sister ; both suffer an emotional shakedown when their recently - widowed mother ( Ewa Froling ) marries a cold and distant minister. Stripped of their creature comforts and relaxed family atmosphere , Fanny and Alexander suddenly find their childhood unendurable. The kids' grandmother ( Gunn Wallgren ) "kidnaps" Fanny and Alexander for the purpose of showering them with the first kindness and affection that they've had since their father's death. This "purge" of the darker elements of Fanny and Alexander's existence is accomplished at the unintentional ( but applaudable ) cost of the hated stepfather's life. Ingmar Bergman insisted that Fanny and Alexander , originally a multipart television series pared down to feature - film length , represented his final theatrical film , though within a year after its release he was busy with several additional Swedish TV projects , and his final work , the 2003 Saraband ( also produced for Swedish television ), eventually received global theatrical distribution. Oscars went to Fanny and Alexander for Best Foreign Film , Best Cinematography ( Sven Nykvist ), Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction / Set Decoration.

This truncated screen version of John Steinbeck's best-seller was the first starring vehicle for explosive 1950s screen personality James Dean who plays Cal Trask the "bad" son of taciturn Salinas valley lettuce farmer Adam Trask (Raymond Massey). Although he means well Cal can't stay out of trouble nor is he able to match the esteem in which his father holds his "good" brother Aron (Richard Davalos). Only Aron's girlfriend Abra (Julie Harris) and kindly old sheriff Sam Burl Ives) can see the essential goodness in the troublesome Cal. When Adam invests in a chancy and wholly unsuccessful method of shipping his crops east his wealth plummets. In an effort to save the business Cal obtains money from his estranged mother (the proprietor of a whorehouse) and invests it in a risky new bean crop. The gamble pays off (thanks in no small part to the war) but Adam refuses to take the money from Cal and the resultant quarrel causes Adam to have a stroke. Released the same year as Rebel Without a Cause East of Eden provided Dean with his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

This truncated screen version of John Steinbeck 's best - seller was the first starring vehicle for explosive 1950s screen personality James Dean , who plays Cal Trask , the "bad" son of taciturn Salinas valley lettuce farmer Adam Trask ( Raymond Massey ) . Although he means well , Cal can't stay out of trouble , nor is he able to match the esteem in which his father holds his "good" brother Aron ( Richard Davalos ) . Only Aron's girlfriend Abra ( Julie Harris ) and kindly old sheriff Sam Burl Ives ) can see the essential goodness in the troublesome Cal. When Adam invests in a chancy and wholly unsuccessful method of shipping his crops east , his wealth plummets. In an effort to save the business , Cal obtains money from his estranged mother ( the proprietor of a whorehouse ) and invests it in a risky new bean crop. The gamble pays off ( thanks in no small part to the war ), but Adam refuses to take the money from Cal , and the resultant quarrel causes Adam to have a stroke. Released the same year as Rebel Without a Cause , East of Eden provided Dean with his first Oscar nomination , for Best Actor.

The operative word in Drugstore Cowboy is "drug". Matt Dillon plays the leader of a group of dopeheads who wander around the country robbing pharmacies to feed their habits. Dillon's chums include doltish James Le Gros and teen-age junkie Heather Graham; also along for the ride is Dillon's wife Kelly Lynch. Their nemesis is cop James Remar whom Dillon takes perverse delight in humiliating. When one of the young addicts dies of an overdose it promps Dillon to try to go straight a task complicated by wife Lynch's determination to stay high and by the corrupting presence of an ex-priest played by Naked Lunch author William Burroughs. Drugstore Cowboy was director Gus Van Sant's breakthrough picture.

The operative word in Drugstore Cowboy is "drug". Matt Dillon plays the leader of a group of dopeheads who wander around the country robbing pharmacies to feed their habits. Dillon 's chums include doltish James Le Gros and teen - age junkie Heather Graham ; also along for the ride is Dillon 's wife Kelly Lynch . Their nemesis is cop James Remar , whom Dillon takes perverse delight in humiliating. When one of the young addicts dies of an overdose , it promps Dillon to try to go straight , a task complicated by wife Lynch 's determination to stay high and by the corrupting presence of an ex - priest , played by Naked Lunch author William Burroughs . Drugstore Cowboy was director Gus Van Sant 's breakthrough picture.

Adapted from James Dickey's popular novel John Boorman's 1972 movie recounts the grueling psychological and physical journey taken by four city slickers down a river in the backwoods of Georgia. At the behest of Iron John-esque Lewis (Burt Reynolds) the less adventuresome Ed (Jon Voight) Bobby (Ned Beatty) and Drew (Ronny Cox) agree to canoe down an uncharted section of the river before a dam project ruins the region. After warnings from the grimy impoverished locals and Drew's tuneful yet ominous "Dueling Banjos" encounter with a mute inbred boy the four men embark on their trip exulting in the beauty of nature and the initial thrill of the rapids. The next day however things begin to take a turn for the worse when Bobby and Ed decide to rest on shore after becoming separated from Lewis and Drew. Two rifle-wielding mountain men (Bill McKinney and Herbert \"Cowboy\" Coward) emerge from the woods tying up Ed while one of them rapes Bobby and makes him "squeal like a pig." Lewis and Drew rescue them but the attack irrevocably changes the tenor of the journey. As the river gets rougher and rougher the men come to nightmarish grips with what it means to survive outside the safety net of "civilization."

Adapted from James Dickey 's popular novel , John Boorman 's 1972 movie recounts the grueling psychological and physical journey taken by four city slickers down a river in the backwoods of Georgia. At the behest of Iron John - esque Lewis ( Burt Reynolds ), the less adventuresome Ed ( Jon Voight ), Bobby ( Ned Beatty ), and Drew ( Ronny Cox ) agree to canoe down an uncharted section of the river before a dam project ruins the region. After warnings from the grimy , impoverished locals , and Drew's tuneful yet ominous "Dueling Banjos" encounter with a mute inbred boy , the four men embark on their trip , exulting in the beauty of nature and the initial thrill of the rapids. The next day , however , things begin to take a turn for the worse when Bobby and Ed decide to rest on shore after becoming separated from Lewis and Drew. Two rifle - wielding mountain men ( Bill McKinney and Herbert \ "Cowboy \ " Coward ) emerge from the woods , tying up Ed while one of them rapes Bobby and makes him "squeal like a pig." Lewis and Drew rescue them , but the attack irrevocably changes the tenor of the journey. As the river gets rougher and rougher , the men come to nightmarish grips with what it means to survive outside the safety net of "civilization."

In this successful psychological thriller a reluctant agent of the Irish Republican Army discovers that some people just aren't who you expect them to be. Fergus (Stephen Rea) is an IRA "volunteer" who despite personal misgivings takes part in the kidnapping of a black British soldier Jody (Forest Whitaker) stationed in Northern Ireland. The IRA hopes to use Jody as a bargaining chip to win the release of IRA operatives behind bars but while guarding Jody Fergus becomes fast friends with his prisoner. Jody makes Fergus promise him that if he dies Fegus will look in on his girlfriend Dil (Jaye Davidson) and see if she's all right. Jody escapes and Fergus doesn't have the heart to shoot him; as fate would have it Jody runs from the woods into a street only to be run over by a British police vehicle which then flushes out the IRA compound. Fergus escapes to London where he's wanted by the law for Jody's kidnapping and also by his former girlfriend IRA operative Jude (Miranda Richardson) who thinks he knows too much to fall into the hands of the British authorities. Good to his word Fergus tracks down Dil and soon the two outcasts find themselves entering into a love affair although Fergus discovers that Dil is not the sort of woman he thought she was. Writer/director Neil Jordan won an Academy Award for his screenplay; the title song which was a U.K. hit for Dave Berry in 1965 was re-recorded for the film by one-time Culture Club vocalist Boy George with backing by the Pet Shop Boys.

In this successful psychological thriller , a reluctant agent of the Irish Republican Army discovers that some people just aren't who you expect them to be. Fergus ( Stephen Rea ) is an IRA "volunteer" who , despite personal misgivings , takes part in the kidnapping of a black British soldier , Jody ( Forest Whitaker ), stationed in Northern Ireland. The IRA hopes to use Jody as a bargaining chip to win the release of IRA operatives behind bars , but , while guarding Jody , Fergus becomes fast friends with his prisoner. Jody makes Fergus promise him that if he dies , Fegus will look in on his girlfriend , Dil ( Jaye Davidson ), and see if she's all right. Jody escapes , and Fergus doesn't have the heart to shoot him ; as fate would have it , Jody runs from the woods into a street only to be run over by a British police vehicle , which then flushes out the IRA compound. Fergus escapes to London , where he's wanted by the law for Jody's kidnapping and also by his former girlfriend , IRA operative Jude ( Miranda Richardson ), who thinks he knows too much to fall into the hands of the British authorities. Good to his word , Fergus tracks down Dil , and soon the two outcasts find themselves entering into a love affair , although Fergus discovers that Dil is not the sort of woman he thought she was. Writer / director Neil Jordan won an Academy Award for his screenplay ; the title song , which was a U.K. hit for Dave Berry in 1965 , was re - recorded for the film by one - time Culture Club vocalist Boy George with backing by the Pet Shop Boys .

The conformist is 1930s Italian Marcello Clerici (Jean-Louis Trintignant) a coward who has spent his life accommodating others so that he can "belong." Marcello agrees to kill a political refugee on orders from the Fascist government even though the victim-to-be is his college mentor. The film is a character study of the kind of person who willingly "conforms" to the ideological fashions of his day. In this case director Bernardo Bertolucci suggests that Marcello's desire to conform is rooted in his latent homosexuality. In addition to its strong storyline the film is critically revered for the astonishing production design by Nedo Azzini which together with Vittorio Storaro's camerawork recreates the atmosphere of Fascist Italy with some of the most complex visual compositions ever seen on film filled with highly stylized uses of angles shapes and shadows. The Conformist was cut by five crucial minutes when first released in the US; those missing moments were restored in the 1994 reissue.

The conformist is 1930s Italian Marcello Clerici ( Jean - Louis Trintignant ), a coward who has spent his life accommodating others so that he can "belong." Marcello agrees to kill a political refugee , on orders from the Fascist government , even though the victim - to - be is his college mentor. The film is a character study of the kind of person who willingly "conforms" to the ideological fashions of his day. In this case , director Bernardo Bertolucci suggests that Marcello's desire to conform is rooted in his latent homosexuality. In addition to its strong storyline , the film is critically revered for the astonishing production design by Nedo Azzini , which , together with Vittorio Storaro 's camerawork , recreates the atmosphere of Fascist Italy with some of the most complex visual compositions ever seen on film , filled with highly stylized uses of angles , shapes , and shadows. The Conformist was cut by five crucial minutes when first released in the US ; those missing moments were restored in the 1994 reissue.

Cinema Paradiso offers a nostalgic look at films and the effect they have on a young boy who grows up in and around the title village movie theater in this Italian comedy drama that is based on the life and times of screenwriter/director Giuseppe Tornatore. The story begins in the present as a Sicilian mother pines for her estranged son Salvatore who left many years ago and has since become a prominent Roman film director who has taken the advice of his mentor too literally. He finally returns to his home village to attend the funeral of the town's former film projectionist Alfredo and in so doing embarks upon a journey into his boyhood just after WWII when he became the man's official son. In the dark confines of the Cinema Paradiso the boy and the other townsfolk try to escape from the grim realities of post-war Italy. The town censor is also there to insure nothing untoward appears onscreen invariably demanding that all kissing scenes be edited out. One day Salvatore saves Alfredo's life after a fire and then becomes the new projectionist. A few years later Salvatore falls in love with a beautiful girl who breaks his heart after he is inducted into the military. Thirty years later Salvatore has come to say goodbye to his life-long friend who has left him a little gift in a film can. In 2002 over a decade after the film's original release Tornatore brought the original 170-minute director's cut to American screens for the first time.

Cinema Paradiso offers a nostalgic look at films and the effect they have on a young boy who grows up in and around the title village movie theater in this Italian comedy drama that is based on the life and times of screenwriter / director Giuseppe Tornatore . The story begins in the present as a Sicilian mother pines for her estranged son , Salvatore , who left many years ago and has since become a prominent Roman film director who has taken the advice of his mentor too literally. He finally returns to his home village to attend the funeral of the town's former film projectionist , Alfredo , and , in so doing , embarks upon a journey into his boyhood just after WWII when he became the man's official son. In the dark confines of the Cinema Paradiso , the boy and the other townsfolk try to escape from the grim realities of post - war Italy. The town censor is also there to insure nothing untoward appears onscreen , invariably demanding that all kissing scenes be edited out. One day , Salvatore saves Alfredo's life after a fire , and then becomes the new projectionist. A few years later , Salvatore falls in love with a beautiful girl who breaks his heart after he is inducted into the military. Thirty years later , Salvatore has come to say goodbye to his life - long friend , who has left him a little gift in a film can. In 2002 , over a decade after the film's original release , Tornatore brought the original 170 - minute director's cut to American screens for the first time.

With ornate imagery reminiscent of paintings from the story's 18th century period Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray's novel depicts the rise and fall of a sensitive rogue in the British aristocracy. Young Irishman Redmond Barry (Ryan O'Neal) leaves home to seek his fortune after apparently killing an English officer in a duel. Through a series of mishaps and accidents Barry winds up fighting with the Prussian army in the Seven Years' War under the command of Capt. Potzdorf (Hardy Kruger); at war's end Potzdorf enlists Barry to spy on a shady Chevalier (Patrick Magee). Instead Barry joins up with the Irish Chevalier to flee Prussia and live as gamblers among Europe's elite. Wishing to climb even higher Barry soon meets the beautiful Lady Lyndon (Marisa Berenson) marrying her for her fortune after her older titled husband dies. Her son Lord Bullingdon (Leon Vitali) however despises the upstart Barry and regardless of how his mother may feel sees to it that the re-named Barry Lyndon will never be able to stake his claim to the entrenched aristocracy. Coming after Kubrick's esteemed hits 2001 (1968) and A Clockwork Orange (1971) Barry Lyndon opened with high expectations and met with decidedly mixed responses to its restrained tone. Even with Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Director (and wins for Cinematography Art Direction Costumes and Adapted Score) Barry Lyndon was a box office failure as mid-'70s audiences increasingly turned away from such narrative challenges as its epic length and muffled emotions. Since then Barry Lyndon has gained in stature taking its place among the formidable artistic achievements of Kubrick's career.

With ornate imagery reminiscent of paintings from the story's 18th century period , Stanley Kubrick 's adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray's novel depicts the rise and fall of a sensitive rogue in the British aristocracy. Young Irishman Redmond Barry ( Ryan O'Neal ) leaves home to seek his fortune after apparently killing an English officer in a duel. Through a series of mishaps and accidents , Barry winds up fighting with the Prussian army in the Seven Years' War under the command of Capt. Potzdorf ( Hardy Kruger ); at war's end , Potzdorf enlists Barry to spy on a shady Chevalier ( Patrick Magee ) . Instead , Barry joins up with the Irish Chevalier to flee Prussia and live as gamblers among Europe's elite. Wishing to climb even higher , Barry soon meets the beautiful Lady Lyndon ( Marisa Berenson ), marrying her for her fortune after her older titled husband dies. Her son Lord Bullingdon ( Leon Vitali ), however , despises the upstart Barry , and , regardless of how his mother may feel , sees to it that the re - named Barry Lyndon will never be able to stake his claim to the entrenched aristocracy. Coming after Kubrick's esteemed hits 2001 ( 1968 ) and A Clockwork Orange ( 1971 ), Barry Lyndon opened with high expectations and met with decidedly mixed responses to its restrained tone. Even with Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Director ( and wins for Cinematography , Art Direction , Costumes , and Adapted Score ), Barry Lyndon was a box office failure , as mid - '70s audiences increasingly turned away from such narrative challenges as its epic length and muffled emotions. Since then , Barry Lyndon has gained in stature , taking its place among the formidable artistic achievements of Kubrick's career.

In 1964 with the Cuban Missile Crisis fresh in viewers' minds the Cold War at its frostiest and the hydrogen bomb relatively new and frightening Stanley Kubrick dared to make a film about what could happen if the wrong person pushed the wrong button -- and played the situation for laughs. Dr. Strangelove's jet-black satire (from a script by director Stanley Kubrick Peter George and Terry Southern) and a host of superb comic performances (including three from Peter Sellers) have kept the film fresh and entertaining even as its issues have become (slightly) less timely. Loaded with thermonuclear weapons a U.S. bomber piloted by Maj. T.J. "King" Kong (Slim Pickens) is on a routine flight pattern near the Soviet Union when they receive orders to commence Wing Attack Plan R best summarized by Maj. Kong as "Nuclear combat! Toe to toe with the Russkies!" On the ground at Burpleson Air Force Base Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake (Peter Sellers) notices nothing on the news about America being at war. Gen. Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden) calmly informs him that he gave the command to attack the Soviet Union because it was high time someone did something about fluoridation which is sapping Americans' bodily fluids (and apparently has something to do with Ripper's sexual dysfunction). Meanwhile President Merkin Muffley (Sellers again) meets with his top Pentagon advisors including super-hawk Gen. Buck Turgidson (George C. Scott) who sees this as an opportunity to do something about Communism in general and Russians in particular. However the ante is upped considerably when Soviet ambassador de Sadesky (Peter Bull) informs Muffley and his staff of the latest innovation in Soviet weapons technology: a "Doomsday Machine" that will destroy the entire world if the Russians are attacked.

In 1964 , with the Cuban Missile Crisis fresh in viewers' minds , the Cold War at its frostiest , and the hydrogen bomb relatively new and frightening , Stanley Kubrick dared to make a film about what could happen if the wrong person pushed the wrong button -- and played the situation for laughs. Dr. Strangelove 's jet - black satire ( from a script by director Stanley Kubrick , Peter George , and Terry Southern ) and a host of superb comic performances ( including three from Peter Sellers ) have kept the film fresh and entertaining , even as its issues have become ( slightly ) less timely. Loaded with thermonuclear weapons , a U.S. bomber piloted by Maj. T.J. "King" Kong ( Slim Pickens ) is on a routine flight pattern near the Soviet Union when they receive orders to commence Wing Attack Plan R , best summarized by Maj. Kong as "Nuclear combat! Toe to toe with the Russkies!" On the ground at Burpleson Air Force Base , Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake ( Peter Sellers ) notices nothing on the news about America being at war. Gen. Jack D. Ripper ( Sterling Hayden ) calmly informs him that he gave the command to attack the Soviet Union because it was high time someone did something about fluoridation , which is sapping Americans' bodily fluids ( and apparently has something to do with Ripper's sexual dysfunction ) . Meanwhile , President Merkin Muffley ( Sellers again ) meets with his top Pentagon advisors , including super - hawk Gen. Buck Turgidson ( George C. Scott ), who sees this as an opportunity to do something about Communism in general and Russians in particular. However , the ante is upped considerably when Soviet ambassador de Sadesky ( Peter Bull ) informs Muffley and his staff of the latest innovation in Soviet weapons technology : a "Doomsday Machine" that will destroy the entire world if the Russians are attacked.

Director John Landis put himself on the map with this low-budget fabulously successful comedy which made a then-astounding 62 million dollars and started a slew of careers for its cast in the process. National Lampoon's Animal House is set in 1962 on the campus of Faber College in Faber PA. The first glimpse we get of the campus is the statue of its founder Emil Faber on the base of which is inscribed the motto "Knowledge Is Good." Incoming freshmen Larry "Pinto" Kroger (Tom Hulce) and Kent "Flounder" Dorfman (Stephen Furst) find themselves rejected by the pretentious Omega fraternity and instead pledge to Delta House. The Deltas are a motley fraternity of rejects and maladjusted undergraduates (some approaching their late twenties) whose main goal -- seemingly accomplished in part by their mere presence on campus -- is disrupting the staid peaceful rigidly orthodox and totally hypocritical social order of the school as represented by the Omegas and the college's dean Vernon Wormer (John Vernon). Dean Wormer decides that this is the year he's going to get the Deltas expelled and their chapter decertified; he places the fraternity on "double secret probation" and with help from Omega president Greg Marmalard (James Daughton) and hard-nosed member Doug Neidermeyer (Mark Metcalf) starts looking for any pretext on which to bring the members of the Delta fraternity up on charges. The Deltas oblivious to the danger they're in are having a great time steeped in irreverence mild debauchery and occasional drunkenness led by seniors Otter (Tim Matheson) Hoover (James Widdoes) D-Day (Bruce McGill) Boon (Peter Riegert) and pledge master John "Bluto" Blutarsky (John Belushi). They're given enough rope to hang themselves but even then manage to get into comical misadventures on a road trip (where they arrange an assignation with a group of young ladies from Emily Dickinson University). Finally they are thrown out of school and as a result stripped of their student deferments (and thus eligible for the draft). They decide to commit one last utterly senseless (and screamingly funny) slapstick act of rebellion making a shambles of the university's annual homecoming parade and in the process getting revenge on the dean the Omegas and everyone else who has ever gone against them.

Director John Landis put himself on the map with this low - budget , fabulously successful comedy , which made a then - astounding 62 million dollars and started a slew of careers for its cast in the process. National Lampoon's Animal House is set in 1962 on the campus of Faber College in Faber , PA. The first glimpse we get of the campus is the statue of its founder Emil Faber , on the base of which is inscribed the motto , "Knowledge Is Good." Incoming freshmen Larry "Pinto" Kroger ( Tom Hulce ) and Kent "Flounder" Dorfman ( Stephen Furst ) find themselves rejected by the pretentious Omega fraternity , and instead pledge to Delta House. The Deltas are a motley fraternity of rejects and maladjusted undergraduates ( some approaching their late twenties ) whose main goal -- seemingly accomplished in part by their mere presence on campus -- is disrupting the staid , peaceful , rigidly orthodox , and totally hypocritical social order of the school , as represented by the Omegas and the college's dean , Vernon Wormer ( John Vernon ) . Dean Wormer decides that this is the year he's going to get the Deltas expelled and their chapter decertified ; he places the fraternity on "double secret probation" and , with help from Omega president Greg Marmalard ( James Daughton ) and hard - nosed member Doug Neidermeyer ( Mark Metcalf ), starts looking for any pretext on which to bring the members of the Delta fraternity up on charges. The Deltas , oblivious to the danger they're in , are having a great time , steeped in irreverence , mild debauchery , and occasional drunkenness , led by seniors Otter ( Tim Matheson ), Hoover ( James Widdoes ), D - Day ( Bruce McGill ), Boon ( Peter Riegert ), and pledge master John "Bluto" Blutarsky ( John Belushi ) . They're given enough rope to hang themselves , but even then manage to get into comical misadventures on a road trip ( where they arrange an assignation with a group of young ladies from Emily Dickinson University ) . Finally , they are thrown out of school , and , as a result , stripped of their student deferments ( and , thus , eligible for the draft ) . They decide to commit one last , utterly senseless ( and screamingly funny ) slapstick act of rebellion , making a shambles of the university's annual homecoming parade , and , in the process , getting revenge on the dean , the Omegas , and everyone else who has ever gone against them.

Lending his burlesque touch to 1970s genre revision Mel Brooks followed his hit "western" Blazing Saddles with this parody of 1930s Universal horror movies. Determined to live down his family's reputation Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (co-screenwriter Gene Wilder) insists on pronouncing his name "Fronckensteen" and denies interest in replicating his grandfather's experiments. But when he is lured by Frau Blucher (Cloris Leachman) to discover the tantalizingly titled journal "How I Did It" in his grandfather's castle he cannot resist. With the help of voluptuous Inga (Teri Garr) wall-eyed assistant Igor (Marty Feldman) and a purloined brain Frankenstein creates his monster (Peter Boyle). Igor however stole the wrong brain and the monster tears off into the countryside encountering a little girl and a blind hermit (Gene Hackman). Frankenstein finds the monster and trains him to do a little "Puttin' On the Ritz" soft-shoe but the monster escapes again this time seducing Frankenstein's uptight fiancée Elizabeth (Madeline Kahn) with his ahem sweet mystery. His love life and experiment in shambles Frankenstein finally finds a way to create the being he had planned. Shooting in gleaming black-and-white with sets and props from the 1930s and appropriate fright music by John Morris Brooks' cheeky attitude towards the Hollywood past attracted a large audience turning it into one of the most popular 1974 releases after (what else?) Blazing Saddles.

Lending his burlesque touch to 1970s genre revision , Mel Brooks followed his hit "western" Blazing Saddles with this parody of 1930s Universal horror movies. Determined to live down his family's reputation , Dr. Frederick Frankenstein ( co - screenwriter Gene Wilder ) insists on pronouncing his name "Fronckensteen" and denies interest in replicating his grandfather's experiments. But when he is lured by Frau Blucher ( Cloris Leachman ) to discover the tantalizingly titled journal "How I Did It" in his grandfather's castle , he cannot resist. With the help of voluptuous Inga ( Teri Garr ), wall - eyed assistant Igor ( Marty Feldman ), and a purloined brain , Frankenstein creates his monster ( Peter Boyle ) . Igor , however , stole the wrong brain , and the monster tears off into the countryside , encountering a little girl and a blind hermit ( Gene Hackman ) . Frankenstein finds the monster and trains him to do a little "Puttin' On the Ritz" soft - shoe , but the monster escapes again , this time seducing Frankenstein's uptight fiancée Elizabeth ( Madeline Kahn ) with his , ahem , sweet mystery. His love life and experiment in shambles , Frankenstein finally finds a way to create the being he had planned. Shooting in gleaming black - and - white , with sets and props from the 1930s and appropriate fright music by John Morris , Brooks' cheeky attitude towards the Hollywood past attracted a large audience , turning it into one of the most popular 1974 releases after ( what else? ) Blazing Saddles .

Screenwriter Bruce Robinson made his directorial debut with this British comedy. Withnail (Richard E. Grant) is an unsuccessful pill-popping actor; "I" or Marwood (Paul McGann) is Withnail's roommate and another equally underemployed actor. The time is 1969: Withnail is fast becoming a burned-out relic of the '60s while Marwood is trying to reassimilate into society. The two take a trip to the country in hopes of rejuvenating themselves but things go from worse to even worse. Given the intimacy and insight of the screenplay and dialogue one shouldn't be surprised that Bruce Robinson (who adapted the film from his own novel) based Withnail & I on his own experiences. The film proves that certain "Age of Aquarius" types were just as bollixed-up in Britain as they were in America.

Screenwriter Bruce Robinson made his directorial debut with this British comedy. Withnail ( Richard E. Grant ) is an unsuccessful , pill - popping actor ; "I , " or Marwood ( Paul McGann ), is Withnail's roommate and another equally underemployed actor. The time is 1969 : Withnail is fast becoming a burned - out relic of the '60s , while Marwood is trying to reassimilate into society. The two take a trip to the country in hopes of rejuvenating themselves , but things go from worse to even worse. Given the intimacy and insight of the screenplay and dialogue , one shouldn't be surprised that Bruce Robinson ( who adapted the film from his own novel ) based Withnail & I on his own experiences. The film proves that certain "Age of Aquarius" types were just as bollixed - up in Britain as they were in America.

Rob Reiner's romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan as the title pair. The film opens with the two strangers both newly graduated from the University of Chicago share a car trip from Chicago to New York where they are both going to make their way. During the trip they discuss aspects of their characters and their lives eventually deciding it is impossible for men and women to be "just friends." They arrive in New York and go their separate ways. They meet a few years later on an airplane and Harry reveals he is married. They meet again at a bookstore a few years after that where Harry reveals he is now divorced. From that point on the two form a friendship. Eventually their closeness results in their respective best friends (played by Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby) meeting and falling in love with each other. At a New Year's Eve party Harry and Sally confront the complex tangle of emotions they feel for each other. The soundtrack consists primarily of Harry Connick Jr. crooning standards like "It Had to Be You."

Rob Reiner 's romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan as the title pair. The film opens with the two strangers , both newly graduated from the University of Chicago , share a car trip from Chicago to New York , where they are both going to make their way. During the trip , they discuss aspects of their characters and their lives , eventually deciding it is impossible for men and women to be "just friends." They arrive in New York and go their separate ways. They meet a few years later on an airplane and Harry reveals he is married. They meet again at a bookstore a few years after that where Harry reveals he is now divorced. From that point on , the two form a friendship. Eventually their closeness results in their respective best friends ( played by Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby ) meeting and falling in love with each other. At a New Year's Eve party Harry and Sally confront the complex tangle of emotions they feel for each other. The soundtrack consists primarily of Harry Connick Jr. crooning standards like "It Had to Be You."

Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) a brilliant but troublesome New York actor has managed to alienate every producer on both coasts. Michael's agent George Fields (Sydney Pollack) can't even get his client a commercial since Michael complained that the tomato he was playing wasn't properly motivated. "You were a tomato!" screams George in desperation adding that Michael is so obnoxious that he will probably never work again. Dorsey thinks otherwise; when he hears of an opening on a popular soap opera he applies for the job--even though the job is for a woman. Posing as "Miss Dorothy Michaels" Michael wins the part and becomes a widely-known actress. Yet complications ensue when Michael falls for his co-star Julie (Jessica Lange in an Oscar-winning performance) but as Dorothy is courted by Julie's widowed father (Charles Durning). Michael ultimately finds that his disguise as a woman has made him a better man. One of the classic comedies of the 1980s Tootsie's gender-bending premise boasts a screenplay by Larry Gelbart and Murray Schisgal and by a host of memorable supporting comic performances from Dabney Coleman Teri Garr George Gaynes and Bill Murray. Future Oscar-winner Geena Davis makes her screen debut as a daytime drama queen which indeed she had been before Tootsie came along.

Michael Dorsey ( Dustin Hoffman ), a brilliant but troublesome New York actor , has managed to alienate every producer on both coasts. Michael's agent George Fields ( Sydney Pollack ) can't even get his client a commercial since Michael complained that the tomato he was playing wasn't properly motivated. "You were a tomato!" screams George in desperation , adding that Michael is so obnoxious that he will probably never work again. Dorsey thinks otherwise ; when he hears of an opening on a popular soap opera , he applies for the job -- even though the job is for a woman. Posing as "Miss Dorothy Michaels , " Michael wins the part and becomes a widely - known actress. Yet complications ensue when Michael falls for his co - star Julie ( Jessica Lange , in an Oscar - winning performance ) but , as Dorothy , is courted by Julie's widowed father ( Charles Durning ) . Michael ultimately finds that his disguise as a woman has made him a better man. One of the classic comedies of the 1980s , Tootsie 's gender - bending premise boasts a screenplay by Larry Gelbart and Murray Schisgal , and by a host of memorable supporting comic performances from Dabney Coleman , Teri Garr , George Gaynes , and Bill Murray . Future Oscar - winner Geena Davis makes her screen debut as a daytime drama queen , which indeed she had been before Tootsie came along.

Largely improvised by director Rob Reiner and his cast This Is Spinal Tap looks and sounds like a "real" documentary with Michael McKean Harry Shearer and Christopher Guest as David St. Hubbins Derek Smalls and Nigel Tufnel the key members of a going-nowhere British heavy metal band called Spinal Tap. The "group" started as an informal skiffle band eventually maturing into an R&B act called the Thamesmen (their hit was "Gimme Some Money"). After going through a psychedelic period with "Listen to the Flower People" the band mutated into Spinal Tap a hard rock outfit responsible for such albums as "Intravenous DeMilo" "The Sun Never Sweats" and "Bent for the Rent." This Is Spinal Tap finds them in the midst of their first American tour in years as they support their new LP Smell the Glove with filmmaker Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner) who specializes in TV commercials on hand to document the occasion. Just about anything that can go wrong does: shows get canceled stage props go wrong wireless guitar pickups start broadcasting air-traffic reports no one shows up for in-store appearances David's girlfriend tries to take over the band they wind up billed second to a puppet show at an amusement park and the group teeters on the verge of breakup. After the film's initial release McKean Guest and Shearer did a short club tour as Spinal Tap; the "band" reunited in 1992 for a new album Break Like the Wind followed by a full-fledged tour and TV special The Return of Spinal Tap.

Largely improvised by director Rob Reiner and his cast , This Is Spinal Tap looks and sounds like a "real" documentary , with Michael McKean , Harry Shearer , and Christopher Guest as David St. Hubbins , Derek Smalls , and Nigel Tufnel , the key members of a going - nowhere British heavy metal band called Spinal Tap . The "group" started as an informal skiffle band , eventually maturing into an R&B act called the Thamesmen ( their hit was "Gimme Some Money" ) . After going through a psychedelic period with "Listen to the Flower People , " the band mutated into Spinal Tap , a hard rock outfit responsible for such albums as "Intravenous DeMilo , " "The Sun Never Sweats , " and "Bent for the Rent." This Is Spinal Tap finds them in the midst of their first American tour in years as they support their new LP Smell the Glove , with filmmaker Marty DiBergi ( Rob Reiner ), who specializes in TV commercials , on hand to document the occasion. Just about anything that can go wrong does : shows get canceled , stage props go wrong , wireless guitar pickups start broadcasting air - traffic reports , no one shows up for in - store appearances , David's girlfriend tries to take over the band , they wind up billed second to a puppet show at an amusement park , and the group teeters on the verge of breakup. After the film's initial release , McKean , Guest , and Shearer did a short club tour as Spinal Tap ; the "band" reunited in 1992 for a new album , Break Like the Wind , followed by a full - fledged tour and TV special , The Return of Spinal Tap .

The launching pad for Billy Wilder's comedy classic was a rusty old German farce Fanfares of Love whose two main characters were male musicians so desperate to get a job that they disguise themselves as women and play with an all-girl band in gangster-dominated 1929 Chicago. In this version musicians Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) lose their jobs when a speakeasy owned by mob boss Spats Columbo (George Raft) is raided by prohibition agent Mulligan (Pat O'Brien). Several weeks later on February 14th Joe and Jerry get a job perfroming in Urbana and end up witnessing a gangland massacre in a parking garage. Fearing that they will be next on the mobsters' hit lists Joe devises an ingenious plan for disguising their identities. Soon they are all dolled up and performing as Josephine and Daphne in Sweet Sue's all-girl orchestra. En route to Florida by train with Sweet Sue's band the boys (girls?) make the acquaintance of Sue's lead singer Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe in what may be her best performance). Joe and Jerry immediately fall in love though of course their new feminine identities prevent them from acting on their desires. Still they are determined to woo her and they enact an elaborate series of gender-bending ruses complicated by the fact that flirtatious millionaire Osgood Fielding (Joe E. Brown) has fallen in love with "Daphne." The plot gets even thicker when Spats Columbo and his boys show up in Florida. Nominated for several Oscars Some Like It Hot ended up the biggest moneymaking comedy up to 1959. Full of hilarious set pieces and movie in-jokes it has not tarnished with time and in fact seems to get better with each passing year as its cross-dressing humor keeps it only more and more up-to-date.

The launching pad for Billy Wilder 's comedy classic was a rusty old German farce , Fanfares of Love , whose two main characters were male musicians so desperate to get a job that they disguise themselves as women and play with an all - girl band in gangster - dominated 1929 Chicago. In this version , musicians Joe ( Tony Curtis ) and Jerry ( Jack Lemmon ) lose their jobs when a speakeasy owned by mob boss Spats Columbo ( George Raft ) is raided by prohibition agent Mulligan ( Pat O'Brien ) . Several weeks later , on February 14th , Joe and Jerry get a job perfroming in Urbana and end up witnessing a gangland massacre in a parking garage. Fearing that they will be next on the mobsters' hit lists , Joe devises an ingenious plan for disguising their identities. Soon they are all dolled up and performing as Josephine and Daphne in Sweet Sue's all - girl orchestra. En route to Florida by train with Sweet Sue's band , the boys ( girls? ) make the acquaintance of Sue's lead singer Sugar Kane ( Marilyn Monroe , in what may be her best performance ) . Joe and Jerry immediately fall in love , though of course their new feminine identities prevent them from acting on their desires. Still , they are determined to woo her , and they enact an elaborate series of gender - bending ruses complicated by the fact that flirtatious millionaire Osgood Fielding ( Joe E. Brown ) has fallen in love with "Daphne." The plot gets even thicker when Spats Columbo and his boys show up in Florida. Nominated for several Oscars , Some Like It Hot ended up the biggest moneymaking comedy up to 1959. Full of hilarious set pieces and movie in - jokes , it has not tarnished with time and in fact seems to get better with each passing year , as its cross - dressing humor keeps it only more and more up - to - date.

One of the key American independent films of the 1990s Richard Linklater's feature debut is an audacious look at the twentysomething culture in the college town of Austin Texas. Set over the course of a 24-hour period the film is a collection of short unconnected glimpses into the dropout subculture touching base with a variety of musicians students street people and general eccentrics. While there's no real plot to speak of Linklater's eye for nuance and gift for dialogue are superb and the portrait he paints is so uncannily accurate that the term "slacker" was almost immediately co-opted as a media buzzword one interchangeable with the similarly-overused "Generation X." Regardless the film is an evocative reflection of a community and its culture and remains a definitive artifact of its time and place.

One of the key American independent films of the 1990s , Richard Linklater 's feature debut is an audacious look at the twentysomething culture in the college town of Austin , Texas. Set over the course of a 24 - hour period , the film is a collection of short , unconnected glimpses into the dropout subculture , touching base with a variety of musicians , students , street people and general eccentrics. While there's no real plot to speak of , Linklater 's eye for nuance and gift for dialogue are superb , and the portrait he paints is so uncannily accurate that the term "slacker" was almost immediately co - opted as a media buzzword , one interchangeable with the similarly - overused "Generation X." Regardless , the film is an evocative reflection of a community and its culture and remains a definitive artifact of its time and place.

Hollywood 1927: the silent-film romantic team of Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) is the toast of Tinseltown. While Lockwood and Lamont personify smoldering passions onscreen in real life the down-to-earth Lockwood can't stand the egotistical brainless Lina. He prefers the company of aspiring actress Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds) whom he met while escaping his screaming fans. Watching these intrigues from the sidelines is Cosmo Brown (Donald O'Connor) Don's best pal and on-set pianist. Cosmo is promoted to musical director of Monumental Pictures by studio head R.F. Simpson (Millard Mitchell) when the talking-picture revolution commences. That's all right for Cosmo but how will talkies affect the upcoming Lockwood-Lamont vehicle "The Dueling Cavalier"? Don an accomplished song-and-dance man should have no trouble adapting to the microphone. Lina however is another matter; put as charitably as possible she has a voice that sounds like fingernails on a blackboard. The disastrous preview of the team's first talkie has the audience howling with derisive laughter. On the strength of the plot alone concocted by the matchless writing team of Betty Comden and Adolph Green Singin' in the Rain is a delight. But with the addition of MGM's catalog of Arthur Freed-Nacio Herb Brown songs -- "You Were Meant for Me" "You Are My Lucky Star" "The Broadway Melody" and of course the title song -- the film becomes one of the greatest Hollywood musicals ever made.

Hollywood , 1927 : the silent - film romantic team of Don Lockwood ( Gene Kelly ) and Lina Lamont ( Jean Hagen ) is the toast of Tinseltown. While Lockwood and Lamont personify smoldering passions onscreen , in real life the down - to - earth Lockwood can't stand the egotistical , brainless Lina. He prefers the company of aspiring actress Kathy Selden ( Debbie Reynolds ), whom he met while escaping his screaming fans. Watching these intrigues from the sidelines is Cosmo Brown ( Donald O'Connor ), Don's best pal and on - set pianist. Cosmo is promoted to musical director of Monumental Pictures by studio head R.F. Simpson ( Millard Mitchell ) when the talking - picture revolution commences. That's all right for Cosmo , but how will talkies affect the upcoming Lockwood - Lamont vehicle "The Dueling Cavalier"? Don , an accomplished song - and - dance man , should have no trouble adapting to the microphone. Lina , however , is another matter ; put as charitably as possible , she has a voice that sounds like fingernails on a blackboard. The disastrous preview of the team's first talkie has the audience howling with derisive laughter. On the strength of the plot alone , concocted by the matchless writing team of Betty Comden and Adolph Green , Singin' in the Rain is a delight. But with the addition of MGM's catalog of Arthur Freed - Nacio Herb Brown songs -- "You Were Meant for Me , " "You Are My Lucky Star , " "The Broadway Melody , " and of course the title song -- the film becomes one of the greatest Hollywood musicals ever made.

Combining influences from Tex Avery cartoons to Sam Raimi horror movies to 1940s B-movies Joel Coen and Ethan Coen followed up the stylish film noir of their debut Blood Simple (1984) with this frantic screwball comedy. H.I. "Hi" McDonnough (Nicholas Cage) is a philosophical but slightly dim career criminal who has been arrested so often that he gets to know "Ed" short for Edwina (Holly Hunter) the officer who takes his mug shots. Hi takes a shine to Ed and promises to go straight if she marries him. She accepts and they move to the Arizona desert where Hi holds down a factory job and blissfully watches the sunsets with Ed. Their serenity is shattered when the couple decides that they want a child and discover that as Hi puts it "Ed's womb was a rocky place where my seed could find no purchase." (One of the film's many delights is Hi's unexpectedly flowery dime-novel narration.) Ed goes into a severe depression until she sees an item in the news. Nathan Arizona (Trey Wilson) owner of a chain of unpainted furniture stores has become the father of quintuplets and he and his wife joke that they now have more children than they know what to do with. In what seems like a perfect "helps you helps me" situation Hi and Ed kidnap one of the Arizona infants figuring that they'll have a baby and the Arizonas will have less of a burden.

Combining influences from Tex Avery cartoons to Sam Raimi horror movies to 1940s B - movies , Joel Coen and Ethan Coen followed up the stylish film noir of their debut , Blood Simple ( 1984 ), with this frantic screwball comedy. H.I. "Hi" McDonnough ( Nicholas Cage ) is a philosophical but slightly dim career criminal who has been arrested so often that he gets to know "Ed , " short for Edwina ( Holly Hunter ), the officer who takes his mug shots. Hi takes a shine to Ed and promises to go straight if she marries him. She accepts , and they move to the Arizona desert , where Hi holds down a factory job and blissfully watches the sunsets with Ed. Their serenity is shattered when the couple decides that they want a child and discover that , as Hi puts it , "Ed's womb was a rocky place where my seed could find no purchase." ( One of the film's many delights is Hi's unexpectedly flowery dime - novel narration. ) Ed goes into a severe depression until she sees an item in the news. Nathan Arizona ( Trey Wilson ), owner of a chain of unpainted furniture stores , has become the father of quintuplets , and he and his wife joke that they now have more children than they know what to do with. In what seems like a perfect "helps you , helps me" situation , Hi and Ed kidnap one of the Arizona infants , figuring that they'll have a baby and the Arizonas will have less of a burden.

When there's a full moon over Brooklyn anything can happen and everything happens in the neighborhood where widowed bookkeeper Loretta Castorini (Cher) lives. First Loretta agrees to marry a man she does not love Johnny Cammareri (Danny Aiello) simply because he knows how to propose properly. Before the wedding can take place Cammareri must visit his dying mother in Sicily. In his absence Loretta is supposed to try to patch up the differences between Johnny and his brother bakery operator Ronny Cammareri (Nicolas Cage). Having never forgiven Johnny for indirectly causing the accident that crippled him Ronny flies into a rage whenever his brother's name is mentioned. He does however fall for Loretta like a ton of bricks. After a torrid affair Loretta tries to avoid Ronny out of respect to Johnny but he's just too fascinating to resist. Meanwhile Loretta's father (Vincent Gardenia) is fooling around with his mistress Mona (Anita Gillette) while Loretta's mother (Olympia Dukakis) is wooed by a college professor (John Mahoney). These brief flings are forgiven and forgotten but there's still the delicate situation of Loretta being in love with her future brother-in-law. A now-classic romantic comedy Moonstruck won Oscars for Cher Olympia Dukakis and screenwriter John Patrick Shanley.

When there's a full moon over Brooklyn , anything can happen , and everything happens in the neighborhood where widowed bookkeeper Loretta Castorini ( Cher ) lives. First , Loretta agrees to marry a man she does not love , Johnny Cammareri ( Danny Aiello ), simply because he knows how to propose properly. Before the wedding can take place , Cammareri must visit his dying mother in Sicily. In his absence , Loretta is supposed to try to patch up the differences between Johnny and his brother , bakery operator Ronny Cammareri ( Nicolas Cage ) . Having never forgiven Johnny for indirectly causing the accident that crippled him , Ronny flies into a rage whenever his brother's name is mentioned. He does , however , fall for Loretta like a ton of bricks. After a torrid affair , Loretta tries to avoid Ronny out of respect to Johnny , but he's just too fascinating to resist. Meanwhile , Loretta's father ( Vincent Gardenia ) is fooling around with his mistress Mona ( Anita Gillette ), while Loretta's mother ( Olympia Dukakis ) is wooed by a college professor ( John Mahoney ) . These brief flings are forgiven and forgotten , but there's still the delicate situation of Loretta being in love with her future brother - in - law. A now - classic romantic comedy , Moonstruck won Oscars for Cher , Olympia Dukakis , and screenwriter John Patrick Shanley .

From its opening multi-language titles (that sure looks like Swedish) to the closing arrest of the entire Dark Ages cast by modern-day bobbies Monty Python and the Holy Grail helped to define "irreverence" and became an instant cult classic. This time the Pythonites savage the legend of King Arthur juxtaposing some excellently selected exterior locations with an unending stream of anachronistic one-liners non sequiturs and slapstick set pieces. The Knights of the Round Table set off in search of the Holy Grail on foot as their lackeys make clippety-clop sounds with coconut shells. A plague-ridden community ringing with the cry of "bring out your dead" offers its hale and hearty citizens to the body piles. A wedding of convenience is attacked by Arthur's minions while the pasty-faced groom continually attempts to burst into song. The good guys are nearly thwarted by the dreaded tree-shaped "Knights Who Say Ni!" A feisty enemy warrior bloodily shorn of his arms and legs in the thick of battle threatens to bite off his opponent's kneecap. A French military officer shouts such taunts as "I fart in your general direction" and "I wave my private parts at your aunties." Rabbits are a particular obsession of the writers this time around ranging from the huge Trojan Rabbit to the "killer bunny" that decapitates one of the knights. Graham Chapman John Cleese Terry Gilliam Eric Idle Terry Jones and Michael Palin collaborated on the script and assumed most of the onscreen roles while Gilliam and Jones served as co-directors.

From its opening multi - language titles ( that sure looks like Swedish ) to the closing arrest of the entire Dark Ages cast by modern - day bobbies , Monty Python and the Holy Grail helped to define "irreverence" and became an instant cult classic. This time the Pythonites savage the legend of King Arthur , juxtaposing some excellently selected exterior locations with an unending stream of anachronistic one - liners , non sequiturs , and slapstick set pieces. The Knights of the Round Table set off in search of the Holy Grail on foot , as their lackeys make clippety - clop sounds with coconut shells. A plague - ridden community , ringing with the cry of "bring out your dead , " offers its hale and hearty citizens to the body piles. A wedding of convenience is attacked by Arthur's minions while the pasty - faced groom continually attempts to burst into song. The good guys are nearly thwarted by the dreaded , tree - shaped "Knights Who Say Ni!" A feisty enemy warrior , bloodily shorn of his arms and legs in the thick of battle , threatens to bite off his opponent's kneecap. A French military officer shouts such taunts as "I fart in your general direction" and "I wave my private parts at your aunties." Rabbits are a particular obsession of the writers this time around , ranging from the huge Trojan Rabbit to the "killer bunny" that decapitates one of the knights. Graham Chapman , John Cleese , Terry Gilliam , Eric Idle , Terry Jones , and Michael Palin collaborated on the script and assumed most of the onscreen roles , while Gilliam and Jones served as co - directors.

ill Forsyth's whimsical tale of sweet-natured corporate rapacity features standout performances by Burt Lancaster and Peter Riegert. Lancaster plays Texas billionaire Felix Happer who would rather gaze at the stars than worry about his multi-national oil company. Happer dispatches Mac MacIntyre (Peter Riegert) and Danny Oldsen (Peter Capaldi) to the small Scottish fishing village of Ferness to negotiate buying the entire town so Happer can drill for oil in the North Sea. Much to Mac's surprise the entire town is happy to sell itself for big money and the local innkeeper Gordon Urquhart (Denis Lawson) -- who is also the town's accountant and mayor -- works with Mac on the negotiations. But a wrinkle appears in the deal when Ben Knox (Fulton Mackay) an old man who lives in a shack on the beach which has been owned by his family for centuries refuses to sell. His reasons? "Who'd look after the beach then? It would go to pieces in a short manner of time." The deal stalls so seriously that Happer travels to Ferness to oversee negotiations as Mac and Danny are seduced by the charm of the Scottish town.

Bill Forsyth 's whimsical tale of sweet - natured corporate rapacity features standout performances by Burt Lancaster and Peter Riegert . Lancaster plays Texas billionaire Felix Happer , who would rather gaze at the stars than worry about his multi - national oil company. Happer dispatches Mac MacIntyre ( Peter Riegert ) and Danny Oldsen ( Peter Capaldi ) to the small Scottish fishing village of Ferness to negotiate buying the entire town so Happer can drill for oil in the North Sea. Much to Mac's surprise , the entire town is happy to sell itself for big money , and the local innkeeper , Gordon Urquhart ( Denis Lawson ) -- who is also the town's accountant and mayor -- works with Mac on the negotiations. But a wrinkle appears in the deal when Ben Knox ( Fulton Mackay ), an old man who lives in a shack on the beach which has been owned by his family for centuries , refuses to sell. His reasons? "Who'd look after the beach then? It would go to pieces in a short manner of time." The deal stalls so seriously that Happer travels to Ferness to oversee negotiations as Mac and Danny are seduced by the charm of the Scottish town.

During the first worldwide flush of Beatlemania in 1964 United Artists wanted to ship out a movie with The Beatles before their vogue was over. Working within a tight $500000 budget director Richard Lester turned out A Hard Day's Night in a fast 6 1/2 weeks; the picture was in the theatres three months after shooting commenced. Using a variety of techniques cribbed from Hollywood slapstick comedies the French "new wave" movement and his own experiences as a TV-commercial director Lester with screenwriter Alun Owen fashioned an exhilarating study of a "typical" 36 hours in the lives of the Fab Four. Onto a plot about getting to the Big Show on time are hung a series of instant-reaction gags character vignettes and musical setpieces. Much of the humor arises from Paul McCartney's efforts to keep his grandfather (Wilfred Brambell) a "clean old man" from getting into mischief. Also good for several laughs is the hookey-playing Ringo Starr whose mistimed declaration of independence lands him in jail. We are also treated to a war of nerves between the unflappable John Lennon and an uptight TV director (Victor Spinelli) who worries that should the Beatles not show up at broadcast time he'll be demoted to "News In Welsh." George Harrison stars in a sequence in which he is mistaken for an auditionee by the producer (Kenneth Haigh) of a superficially trendy teen-oriented TV weekly. Then there's Norman Rossington and John Junkin as The Beatles' managers who carry on a battle royale simply because one man is taller than the other. The supporting cast includes comedienne Anna Quayle cartoonist Bob Godfrey TV host Robin Ray dancer Lionel Blair Harrison's future wife Patti Boyd and director Lester himself. The songs include "I Should Have Known Better" "And I Love Her" "Tell Me Why" "If I Fell" "Can't Buy Me Love" and the title song.

During the first worldwide flush of Beatlemania in 1964 , United Artists wanted to ship out a movie with The Beatles before their vogue was over. Working within a tight $500 , 000 budget , director Richard Lester turned out A Hard Day's Night in a fast 6 1 / 2 weeks ; the picture was in the theatres three months after shooting commenced. Using a variety of techniques cribbed from Hollywood slapstick comedies , the French "new wave" movement , and his own experiences as a TV - commercial director , Lester , with screenwriter Alun Owen , fashioned an exhilarating study of a "typical" 36 hours in the lives of the Fab Four. Onto a plot about getting to the Big Show on time are hung a series of instant - reaction gags , character vignettes , and musical setpieces. Much of the humor arises from Paul McCartney 's efforts to keep his grandfather ( Wilfred Brambell ), a "clean old man , " from getting into mischief. Also good for several laughs is the hookey - playing Ringo Starr , whose mistimed declaration of independence lands him in jail. We are also treated to a war of nerves between the unflappable John Lennon and an uptight TV director ( Victor Spinelli ), who worries that , should the Beatles not show up at broadcast time , he'll be demoted to "News In Welsh." George Harrison stars in a sequence in which he is mistaken for an auditionee by the producer ( Kenneth Haigh ) of a superficially trendy , teen - oriented TV weekly. Then there's Norman Rossington and John Junkin as The Beatles ' managers , who carry on a battle royale simply because one man is taller than the other. The supporting cast includes comedienne Anna Quayle , cartoonist Bob Godfrey , TV host Robin Ray , dancer Lionel Blair , Harrison 's future wife Patti Boyd , and director Lester himself. The songs include "I Should Have Known Better , " "And I Love Her , " "Tell Me Why , " "If I Fell , " "Can't Buy Me Love , " and the title song.

"Just one word: plastic." "Are you here for an affair?" These lines and others became cultural touchstones as 1960s youth rebellion seeped into the California upper middle-class in Mike Nichols' landmark hit. Mentally adrift the summer after graduating from college suburbanite Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) would rather float in his parents' pool than follow adult advice about his future. But the exhortation of family friend Mr. Robinson (Murray Hamilton) to seize every possible opportunity inspires Ben to accept an offer of sex from icily feline Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft). The affair and the pool are all well and good until Ben is pushed to go out with the Robinsons' daughter Elaine (Katharine Ross) and he falls in love with her. Mrs. Robinson sabotages the relationship and an understandably disgusted Elaine runs back to college. Determined not to let Elaine get away Ben follows her to school and then disrupts her family-sanctioned wedding. None too happy about her pre-determined destiny Elaine flees with Ben -- but to what? Directing his second feature film after Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Nichols matched the story's satire of suffocating middle-class shallowness with an anti-Hollywood style influenced by the then-voguish French New Wave. Using odd angles jittery editing and evocative widescreen photography Nichols welded a hip New Wave style and a generation-gap theme to a fairly traditional screwball comedy script by Buck Henry and Calder Willingham from Charles Webb's novel. Adding to the European art film sensibility the movie offers an unsettling and ambiguous ending with no firm closure. And rather than Robert Redford Nichols opted for a less glamorous unknown for the pivotal role of Ben turning Hoffman into a star and opening the door for unconventional leading men throughout the 1970s. With a pop-song score written by Paul Simon and performed by Simon & Garfunkel bolstering its contemporary appeal The Graduate opened to rave reviews in December 1967 and surpassed all commercial expectations. It became the top-grossing film of 1968 and was nominated for seven Oscars including Best Picture Actor and Actress with Nichols winning Best Director. Together with Bonnie and Clyde it stands as one of the most influential films of the late '60s as its mordant dissection of the generation gap helped lead the way to the youth-oriented Hollywood artistic "renaissance" of the early '70s.

"Just one word : plastic." "Are you here for an affair?" These lines and others became cultural touchstones , as 1960s youth rebellion seeped into the California upper middle - class in Mike Nichols ' landmark hit. Mentally adrift the summer after graduating from college , suburbanite Benjamin Braddock ( Dustin Hoffman ) would rather float in his parents' pool than follow adult advice about his future. But the exhortation of family friend Mr. Robinson ( Murray Hamilton ) to seize every possible opportunity inspires Ben to accept an offer of sex from icily feline Mrs. Robinson ( Anne Bancroft ) . The affair and the pool are all well and good until Ben is pushed to go out with the Robinsons' daughter Elaine ( Katharine Ross ) and he falls in love with her. Mrs. Robinson sabotages the relationship and an understandably disgusted Elaine runs back to college. Determined not to let Elaine get away , Ben follows her to school and then disrupts her family - sanctioned wedding. None too happy about her pre - determined destiny , Elaine flees with Ben -- but to what? Directing his second feature film after Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? , Nichols matched the story's satire of suffocating middle - class shallowness with an anti - Hollywood style influenced by the then - voguish French New Wave. Using odd angles , jittery editing , and evocative widescreen photography , Nichols welded a hip New Wave style and a generation - gap theme to a fairly traditional screwball comedy script by Buck Henry and Calder Willingham from Charles Webb 's novel. Adding to the European art film sensibility , the movie offers an unsettling and ambiguous ending with no firm closure. And rather than Robert Redford , Nichols opted for a less glamorous unknown for the pivotal role of Ben , turning Hoffman into a star and opening the door for unconventional leading men throughout the 1970s. With a pop - song score written by Paul Simon and performed by Simon & Garfunkel bolstering its contemporary appeal , The Graduate opened to rave reviews in December 1967 and surpassed all commercial expectations. It became the top - grossing film of 1968 and was nominated for seven Oscars , including Best Picture , Actor , and Actress , with Nichols winning Best Director. Together with Bonnie and Clyde , it stands as one of the most influential films of the late '60s , as its mordant dissection of the generation gap helped lead the way to the youth - oriented Hollywood artistic "renaissance" of the early '70s.

Spencer Tracy received an Oscar nomination for his performance in this classic comedy. Stanley T. Banks (Tracy) is a securely middle-class lawyer whose daughter Kay (Elizabeth Taylor) announces that she's going to marry her beau Buckley Dunstan (Don Taylor). From that point on everything in Stanley's life is turned upside down. His wife Ellie (Joan Bennett) wants Kay to have the kind of formal wedding that she and Stanley never had and between meeting his soon-to-be in-laws the socially prominent Herbert and Doris Dunstan (Moroni Olsen and Billie Burke) his man-to-man talk with the groom hosting the engagement party financing the increasingly lavish wedding and wondering if Kay and Buckley will resolve their differences before arriving at the altar Stanley barely has time to deal with his own considerable anxieties about his advancing age and how his "little girl" became a grown woman. Director Vincente Minnelli reunited with the principal cast a year later for a sequel Father's Little Dividend; and the movie was remade in 1991 with Steve Martin and Diane Keaton.

Spencer Tracy received an Oscar nomination for his performance in this classic comedy. Stanley T. Banks ( Tracy ) is a securely middle - class lawyer whose daughter Kay ( Elizabeth Taylor ) announces that she's going to marry her beau Buckley Dunstan ( Don Taylor ) . From that point on , everything in Stanley's life is turned upside down. His wife Ellie ( Joan Bennett ) wants Kay to have the kind of formal wedding that she and Stanley never had , and between meeting his soon - to - be in - laws , the socially prominent Herbert and Doris Dunstan ( Moroni Olsen and Billie Burke ), his man - to - man talk with the groom , hosting the engagement party , financing the increasingly lavish wedding , and wondering if Kay and Buckley will resolve their differences before arriving at the altar , Stanley barely has time to deal with his own considerable anxieties about his advancing age and how his "little girl" became a grown woman. Director Vincente Minnelli reunited with the principal cast a year later for a sequel , Father's Little Dividend ; and the movie was remade in 1991 with Steve Martin and Diane Keaton .

Amy Heckerling's adaptation of Cameron Crowe's Fast Times at Ridgemont High is often considered one of the finest films of a disreputable genre (the teen sex comedy) and kick-started the careers of many future stars. The center of this ensemble film is Jennifer Jason Leigh as Stacy Hamilton. She is a young innocent high-school student who as the film opens is asking for advice from her friend the sexually outspoken Linda Barrett (Phoebe Cates). Stacy takes a liking to nebbish Mark Ratner (Brian Backer) but he is too afraid to make a move even after Stacy all but throws herself at him. She eventually hooks up with Mark's more confident best friend Mike Damone (Robert Romanus). When not concerning itself with these four characters the film spends time with stoned surfer dude Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn) and his ongoing feud with history teacher Mr. Hand (Ray Walston). The film includes brief appearances by such future stars as Nicolas Cage Eric Stoltz and Forest Whitaker.

Amy Heckerling 's adaptation of Cameron Crowe 's Fast Times at Ridgemont High is often considered one of the finest films of a disreputable genre ( the teen sex comedy ), and kick - started the careers of many future stars. The center of this ensemble film is Jennifer Jason Leigh as Stacy Hamilton. She is a young , innocent high - school student who , as the film opens , is asking for advice from her friend , the sexually outspoken Linda Barrett ( Phoebe Cates ) . Stacy takes a liking to nebbish Mark Ratner ( Brian Backer ), but he is too afraid to make a move even after Stacy all but throws herself at him. She eventually hooks up with Mark's more confident best friend , Mike Damone ( Robert Romanus ) . When not concerning itself with these four characters , the film spends time with stoned surfer dude Jeff Spicoli ( Sean Penn ) and his ongoing feud with history teacher Mr. Hand ( Ray Walston ) . The film includes brief appearances by such future stars as Nicolas Cage , Eric Stoltz , and Forest Whitaker .

Vulgar crude and occasionally scandalous in its racial humor this hilarious bad-taste spoof of Westerns co-written by Richard Pryor features Cleavon Little as the first black sheriff of a stunned town scheduled for demolition by an encroaching railroad. Little and co-star Gene Wilder have great chemistry and the delightful supporting cast includes Harvey Korman Slim Pickens and Madeline Kahn as a chanteuse modelled on Marlene Dietrich. As in Young Frankenstein (1974) Silent Movie (1976) and High Anxiety (1977) director/writer Mel Brooks gives a burlesque spin to a classic Hollywood movie genre; in his own manic Borscht Belt way Brooks was a central player in revising classic genres in light of Seventies values and attitudes an effort most often associated with such directors as Robert Altman and Peter Bogdanovich . Some of this film's sequences notably a gaseous bean dinner around a campfire have become comedy classics.

Vulgar , crude , and occasionally scandalous in its racial humor , this hilarious bad - taste spoof of Westerns , co - written by Richard Pryor , features Cleavon Little as the first black sheriff of a stunned town scheduled for demolition by an encroaching railroad. Little and co - star Gene Wilder have great chemistry , and the delightful supporting cast includes Harvey Korman , Slim Pickens , and Madeline Kahn as a chanteuse modelled on Marlene Dietrich . As in Young Frankenstein ( 1974 ), Silent Movie ( 1976 ), and High Anxiety ( 1977 ), director / writer Mel Brooks gives a burlesque spin to a classic Hollywood movie genre ; in his own manic , Borscht Belt way , Brooks was a central player in revising classic genres in light of Seventies values and attitudes , an effort most often associated with such directors as Robert Altman and Peter Bogdanovich . Some of this film's sequences , notably a gaseous bean dinner around a campfire , have become comedy classics.

Woody Allen's romantic comedy of the Me Decade follows the up and down relationship of two mismatched New York neurotics. Jewish comedy writer Alvy Singer (Allen) ponders the modern quest for love and his past romance with tightly-wound WASP singer Annie Hall (Diane Keaton née Diane Hall). The twice-divorced Alvy knows that it's not easy to find a mate when the options include pretentious New York intellectuals and lifestyle-obsessed Rolling Stone writers but la-di-dah-ing Annie seems different. Along the rocky road of their coupling Allen/Alvy weigh in on such topics as endless therapy movies vs. TV the absurdity of dating rituals anti-Semitism drugs and in one of the best set pieces repressed Midwestern WASP insanity vs. crazy Brooklyn Jewish boisterousness. Annie wants to move to Los Angeles to find that fame that finally does in the relationship -- but not before Alvy gets in a few digs at vacuous mantra-fixated California. Originally entitled Anhedonia (the inability to enjoy oneself) Annie Hall blended the slapstick and fantasy from such earlier Allen films as Sleeper (1973) and Bananas (1971) with the more autobiographical musings of his stand-up and written comedy using an array of such movie techniques as talking heads splitscreens and subtitles. Within these gleeful formal experiments and sight gags Allen and co-writer Marshall Brickman skewered 1970s solipsism reversing the happy marriage of opposites found in classic screwball comedies. Hailed as Allen's most mature and personal film Annie Hall beat out Star Wars for Best Picture and also won Oscars for Allen as director and writer and for Keaton as Best Actress; audiences enthusiastically responded to Allen's take on contemporary love and turned Keaton's rumpled menswear into a fashion trend.

Woody Allen 's romantic comedy of the Me Decade follows the up and down relationship of two mismatched New York neurotics. Jewish comedy writer Alvy Singer ( Allen ) ponders the modern quest for love and his past romance with tightly - wound WASP singer Annie Hall ( Diane Keaton , née Diane Hall ) . The twice - divorced Alvy knows that it's not easy to find a mate when the options include pretentious New York intellectuals and lifestyle - obsessed Rolling Stone writers , but la - di - dah - ing Annie seems different. Along the rocky road of their coupling , Allen / Alvy weigh in on such topics as endless therapy , movies vs. TV , the absurdity of dating rituals , anti - Semitism , drugs , and , in one of the best set pieces , repressed Midwestern WASP insanity vs. crazy Brooklyn Jewish boisterousness. Annie wants to move to Los Angeles to find that fame that finally does in the relationship -- but not before Alvy gets in a few digs at vacuous , mantra - fixated California. Originally entitled Anhedonia ( the inability to enjoy oneself ), Annie Hall blended the slapstick and fantasy from such earlier Allen films as Sleeper ( 1973 ) and Bananas ( 1971 ) with the more autobiographical musings of his stand - up and written comedy , using an array of such movie techniques as talking heads , splitscreens , and subtitles. Within these gleeful formal experiments and sight gags , Allen and co - writer Marshall Brickman skewered 1970s solipsism , reversing the happy marriage of opposites found in classic screwball comedies. Hailed as Allen's most mature and personal film , Annie Hall beat out Star Wars for Best Picture and also won Oscars for Allen as director and writer and for Keaton as Best Actress ; audiences enthusiastically responded to Allen's take on contemporary love and turned Keaton's rumpled menswear into a fashion trend.

This spoof of the Airport series of disaster movies relies on ridiculous sight gags groan-inducing dialogue and deadpan acting -- a comedy style that would be imitated for the next 20 years. Airplane! pulls out all the clichés as alcoholic pilot Ted Striker (Robert Hays) who's developed a fear of flying due to wartime trauma boards a jumbo jet in an attempt to woo back his stewardess girlfriend (Julie Hagerty). Food poisoning decimates the passengers and crew leaving it up to Striker to land the plane with the help of a glue-sniffing air traffic controller (Lloyd Bridges) and Striker's vengeful former captain (Robert Stack) who must both talk him down. Along the way we meet a clutch of stock disaster movie passengers like the guitar-strumming nun a sick little girl a frightened old lady and two African-American travelers whose "jive" has to be subtitled. Leslie Nielsen portrays the plane's doctor launching a new phase of the actor's career that carried him through the next two decades in several similarly comedic roles. The trio of directors Jim Abrahams Jerry Zucker and David Zucker responsible for the film would eventually go on to solo careers but not before making Top Secret! and Ruthless People.

This spoof of the Airport series of disaster movies relies on ridiculous sight gags , groan - inducing dialogue , and deadpan acting -- a comedy style that would be imitated for the next 20 years. Airplane! pulls out all the clichés as alcoholic pilot Ted Striker ( Robert Hays ), who's developed a fear of flying due to wartime trauma , boards a jumbo jet in an attempt to woo back his stewardess girlfriend ( Julie Hagerty ) . Food poisoning decimates the passengers and crew , leaving it up to Striker to land the plane , with the help of a glue - sniffing air traffic controller ( Lloyd Bridges ) and Striker's vengeful former captain ( Robert Stack ), who must both talk him down. Along the way , we meet a clutch of stock disaster movie passengers like the guitar - strumming nun , a sick little girl , a frightened old lady , and two African - American travelers whose "jive" has to be subtitled. Leslie Nielsen portrays the plane's doctor , launching a new phase of the actor's career that carried him through the next two decades in several similarly comedic roles. The trio of directors Jim Abrahams , Jerry Zucker , and David Zucker responsible for the film would eventually go on to solo careers , but not before making Top Secret! and Ruthless People .

In this fully computer-animated fantasy from the creators of Antz we follow the travails of Shrek (Mike Myers) a green ogre who enjoys a life of solitude. Living in a far away swamp he is suddenly invaded by a hoard of fairy tale characters such as the Big Bad Wolf the Three Little Pigs and Three Blind Mice all refugees of their homes who have been shunned by the evil Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow). They want to save their homes from ruin and enlist the help of Shrek who is in the same situation. Shrek decides to offer Lord Farquaad a deal; he will rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) who is intended to be Farquaad's bride. Accompanying Shrek on his adventure is the faithful but loquacious Donkey (Eddie Murphy) who has a penchant for crooning pop songs. The two must face various obstacles in order to locate the Princess but they find their world challenged when she reveals a dark secret that will affect the group. Shrek is based on the children's book by William Steig and features additional voice-work by Vincent Cassel Cody Cameron and Kathleen Freeman.

In this fully computer - animated fantasy from the creators of Antz , we follow the travails of Shrek ( Mike Myers ), a green ogre who enjoys a life of solitude. Living in a far away swamp , he is suddenly invaded by a hoard of fairy tale characters , such as the Big Bad Wolf , the Three Little Pigs , and Three Blind Mice , all refugees of their homes who have been shunned by the evil Lord Farquaad ( John Lithgow ) . They want to save their homes from ruin , and enlist the help of Shrek , who is in the same situation. Shrek decides to offer Lord Farquaad a deal ; he will rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona ( Cameron Diaz ), who is intended to be Farquaad's bride. Accompanying Shrek on his adventure is the faithful but loquacious Donkey ( Eddie Murphy ), who has a penchant for crooning pop songs. The two must face various obstacles in order to locate the Princess , but they find their world challenged when she reveals a dark secret that will affect the group. Shrek is based on the children's book by William Steig , and features additional voice - work by Vincent Cassel , Cody Cameron , and Kathleen Freeman .

In this satirical comedy a hotly contested high school election becomes a metaphor for the current state of American politics. Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) is a popular and well-respected instructor at George Washington Carver High School in Omaha Nebraska but lately he's been unhappy in both his personal and professional life and his anxieties finally come to a head with the school's student elections. Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) is running for student body president and she certainly seems like the sort of girl who would win a high school election -- she's pretty popular and takes part in all the right extra-curricular activities. In fact she seems so perfect she's running unopposed which offends McAllister's sense of democracy (not to mention the fact he doesn't like her very much). So Jim intervenes and persuades Paul Metzler (Chris Klein) to run against Tracy. Paul is not terribly bright and is entirely unqualified to be student president but as a star of the school's football team (before a leg injury sidelined him) he's popular enough to at least give Tracy a run for her money. Just as the race begins to heat up a spanner is truly thrown into the works when Paul's sister Tammy (Jessica Campbell) announces she's also running for office. Publicly Tammy's platform is that the student elections are ultimately pointless and if she's elected she'll eliminate them altogether. Privately Tammy is out for revenge against her brother; it seems Tammy is experimenting with her sexuality and a recent fling with a bisexual classmate named Lisa (Frankie Ingrassia) ended when Lisa dumped her to start going out with Paul. Based on the novel by Tom Perrotta Election was directed by Alexander Payne who won enthusiastic reviews for his debut feature Citizen Ruth; Payne also co-wrote the screenplay with Jim Taylor.

In this satirical comedy , a hotly contested high school election becomes a metaphor for the current state of American politics. Jim McAllister ( Matthew Broderick ) is a popular and well - respected instructor at George Washington Carver High School in Omaha , Nebraska , but lately he's been unhappy in both his personal and professional life , and his anxieties finally come to a head with the school's student elections. Tracy Flick ( Reese Witherspoon ) is running for student body president , and she certainly seems like the sort of girl who would win a high school election -- she's pretty , popular and takes part in all the right extra - curricular activities. In fact , she seems so perfect she's running unopposed , which offends McAllister's sense of democracy ( not to mention the fact he doesn't like her very much ) . So Jim intervenes and persuades Paul Metzler ( Chris Klein ) to run against Tracy. Paul is not terribly bright and is entirely unqualified to be student president , but as a star of the school's football team ( before a leg injury sidelined him ), he's popular enough to at least give Tracy a run for her money. Just as the race begins to heat up , a spanner is truly thrown into the works when Paul's sister , Tammy ( Jessica Campbell ) announces she's also running for office. Publicly , Tammy's platform is that the student elections are ultimately pointless and if she's elected , she'll eliminate them altogether. Privately , Tammy is out for revenge against her brother ; it seems Tammy is experimenting with her sexuality , and a recent fling with a bisexual classmate named Lisa ( Frankie Ingrassia ) ended when Lisa dumped her to start going out with Paul. Based on the novel by Tom Perrotta , Election was directed by Alexander Payne , who won enthusiastic reviews for his debut feature , Citizen Ruth ; Payne also co - wrote the screenplay with Jim Taylor .

This acclaimed British comedy centers on the intermittent romance between a charming (if slightly bumbling) Englishman and a beautiful American woman who seem to always run into each other at weddings. Indeed it is at the first of the title's four weddings that Charles (Hugh Grant) and Carrie (Andie McDowell) meet enjoying a brief but fleeting connection. The spark is rekindled several months later when they unexpectedly meet at another wedding. Unfortunately however Carrie has become engaged to another a fact that complicates matters for them both. The story may seem simple but the film is elevated by screenwriter Richard Curtis' ear for witty dialogue and a colorful supporting cast. Director Mike Newell's sympathetic attention to character keeps the proceedings believable and prevents the film's more serious moments from seeming mawkish. These elements along with Grant's star-making performance as Charles helped the film achieve unexpected international success including an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

This acclaimed British comedy centers on the intermittent romance between a charming ( if slightly bumbling ) Englishman and a beautiful American woman , who seem to always run into each other at weddings. Indeed , it is at the first of the title's four weddings that Charles ( Hugh Grant ) and Carrie ( Andie McDowell ) meet , enjoying a brief but fleeting connection. The spark is rekindled several months later , when they unexpectedly meet at another wedding. Unfortunately , however , Carrie has become engaged to another , a fact that complicates matters for them both. The story may seem simple , but the film is elevated by screenwriter Richard Curtis ' ear for witty dialogue and a colorful supporting cast. Director Mike Newell 's sympathetic attention to character keeps the proceedings believable , and prevents the film's more serious moments from seeming mawkish. These elements , along with Grant 's star - making performance as Charles , helped the film achieve unexpected international success , including an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

Though the kinky characters and aberrant social behavior common to the works of Spanish director Pedro Almodovar are very evident in his Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown the film is at heart a door-slamming farce in the grand tradition. The tiny apartment of pregnant actress Carmen Maura is the "Grand Central Station" setpiece for this dizzying tale. Distraught over her recent breakup with her lover Carmen prepares to overdose on sleeping pills which she blends into a gazpacho so they'll go down easier. She is diverted from her suicide by her best friend Maria Barranco a fugitive from justice (her boy friend is a Shi'Ite terrorist) who needs a place to stay. Later when Carmen's apartment is empty her ex-lover's grown son (Antonio Banderas) comes to the apartment with his fiance (Rossy de Palma) in answer to Carmen's "room to let" newspaper ad. The wife inadvertently ingests Carmen's "pill sauce" and as she blissfully snoozes the husband inaugurates an affair with Carmen's friend Barranco.

Though the kinky characters and aberrant social behavior common to the works of Spanish director Pedro Almodovar are very evident in his Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown , the film is at heart a door - slamming farce in the grand tradition. The tiny apartment of pregnant actress Carmen Maura is the "Grand Central Station" setpiece for this dizzying tale. Distraught over her recent breakup with her lover , Carmen prepares to overdose on sleeping pills , which she blends into a gazpacho so they'll go down easier. She is diverted from her suicide by her best friend Maria Barranco , a fugitive from justice ( her boy friend is a Shi'Ite terrorist ) who needs a place to stay. Later , when Carmen 's apartment is empty , her ex - lover's grown son ( Antonio Banderas ) comes to the apartment with his fiance ( Rossy de Palma ) in answer to Carmen 's "room to let" newspaper ad. The wife inadvertently ingests Carmen 's "pill sauce , " and as she blissfully snoozes , the husband inaugurates an affair with Carmen 's friend Barranco .

In Robert Zemeckis's trailblazing combination of animation and live-action Hollywood's 1940s cartoon stars are a subjugated minority living in the ghettolike "Toontown" where their movements are sharply monitored by the human power establishment. The Toons are permitted to perform in a Cotton Club-style nightspot but are forbidden to patronize the joint. One of Toontown's leading citizens whacked-out Roger Rabbit is framed for the murder of human nightclub owner Marvin Acme (Stubby Kaye). Private detective Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) whose prejudice against Toons stems from the time that his brother was killed by a falling cartoon piano reluctantly agrees to clear Roger of the accusation. Most of the sociopolitical undertones of the original novel were weeded out out of the 1988 film version with emphasis shifted to its basic "evil land developer" plotline --and more enjoyably to a stream of eye-popping special effects. With the combined facilities of animator Richard Williams Disney Warner Bros. Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment and George Lucas's Industrial Light and Magic the film allows us to believe (at least for 90 minutes) that "toons" exist and that they are capable of interacting with 3-dimensional human beings. Virtually every major cartoon character of the late 1940s shows up with the exceptions of Felix the Cat and Popeye the Sailor whose licensees couldn't come to terms with the producers. Of the film's newly minted Toons the most memorable is Roger Rabbit's curvaceous bride Jessica (voiced uncredited by Kathleen Turner). The human element is well-represented by Hoskins Christopher Lloyd and Joanna Cassidy; also watch for action-film producer Joel Silver as Roger Rabbit's Tex Avery-style director.

In Robert Zemeckis 's trailblazing combination of animation and live - action , Hollywood's 1940s cartoon stars are a subjugated minority , living in the ghettolike "Toontown" where their movements are sharply monitored by the human power establishment. The Toons are permitted to perform in a Cotton Club - style nightspot but are forbidden to patronize the joint. One of Toontown's leading citizens , whacked - out Roger Rabbit , is framed for the murder of human nightclub owner Marvin Acme ( Stubby Kaye ) . Private detective Eddie Valiant ( Bob Hoskins ), whose prejudice against Toons stems from the time that his brother was killed by a falling cartoon piano , reluctantly agrees to clear Roger of the accusation. Most of the sociopolitical undertones of the original novel were weeded out out of the 1988 film version , with emphasis shifted to its basic "evil land developer" plotline -- and , more enjoyably , to a stream of eye - popping special effects. With the combined facilities of animator Richard Williams , Disney , Warner Bros. , Steven Spielberg 's Amblin Entertainment , and George Lucas 's Industrial Light and Magic , the film allows us to believe ( at least for 90 minutes ) that "toons" exist , and that they are capable of interacting with 3 - dimensional human beings. Virtually every major cartoon character of the late 1940s shows up , with the exceptions of Felix the Cat and Popeye the Sailor , whose licensees couldn't come to terms with the producers. Of the film's newly minted Toons , the most memorable is Roger Rabbit's curvaceous bride Jessica ( voiced , uncredited , by Kathleen Turner ) . The human element is well - represented by Hoskins , Christopher Lloyd , and Joanna Cassidy ; also watch for action - film producer Joel Silver as Roger Rabbit's Tex Avery - style director.

On the verge of starvation in 1930s Paris erstwhile entertainer Victoria (Julie Andrews) is rescued by gay cabaret performer Toddy (Robert Preston). What she needs to succeed opines Toddy is a gimmick. What if she becomes a male impersonator? Better still: what if she becomes a male impersonator pretending to be a female impersonator? As "Victor/Victoria" s/he becomes the toast of Paree and an object of fascination for big-time Chicago gangster King Marchan (James Garner) who can't quite understand the teasing sensations he experiences whenever watching her in action-especially since he like everyone else assumes that she is a he. Enjoyable though the stars of Blake Edwards' comedy may be the film is stolen by Lesley Ann Warren who won an Oscar nomination as King's screechy-voiced moll and Alex Karras as King's chief henchman who assuming that his boss is "that way" literally comes out of the closet. Victor/Victoria was a remake of the 1931 German film Viktor und Viktoria which had previously be reworked in 1937 as the Jessie Mathews vehicle First a Girl. In 1996 Victor/Victoria was transformed into a Broadway musical again directed by Edwards and starring Andrews.

On the verge of starvation in 1930s Paris , erstwhile entertainer Victoria ( Julie Andrews ) is rescued by gay cabaret performer Toddy ( Robert Preston ) . What she needs to succeed , opines Toddy , is a gimmick. What if she becomes a male impersonator? Better still : what if she becomes a male impersonator , pretending to be a female impersonator? As "Victor / Victoria , " s / he becomes the toast of Paree , and an object of fascination for big - time Chicago gangster King Marchan ( James Garner ), who can't quite understand the teasing sensations he experiences whenever watching her in action - especially since he , like everyone else , assumes that she is a he. Enjoyable though the stars of Blake Edwards ' comedy may be , the film is stolen by Lesley Ann Warren , who won an Oscar nomination as King's screechy - voiced moll , and Alex Karras as King's chief henchman , who , assuming that his boss is "that way , " literally comes out of the closet. Victor / Victoria was a remake of the 1931 German film Viktor und Viktoria , which had previously be reworked in 1937 as the Jessie Mathews vehicle First a Girl . In 1996 , Victor / Victoria was transformed into a Broadway musical , again directed by Edwards and starring Andrews .

The sophomore directorial effort from ill-fated Japanese filmmaker Juzo Itami Tampopo is an off-beat comedy featuring several intersecting stories all related to food. Tsutomu Yamazaki plays Goro a truck driver who helps a young widow named Tampopo (Nobuko Miyamoto) improve her noodle restaurant. Over the course of the film the story drifts around not only following the stories of Tampopo her son and Goro but also a number of customers who come through the diner including an old woman (Izumi Hara) who insists on squeezing the cheese at a market and a criminal (Ken Watanabe) with a food-based kink. Tampopo was nominated for Best Foreign Film at the 1988 Independent Spirit Awards.

The sophomore directorial effort from ill - fated Japanese filmmaker Juzo Itami , Tampopo is an off - beat comedy featuring several intersecting stories all related to food. Tsutomu Yamazaki plays Goro , a truck driver who helps a young widow named Tampopo ( Nobuko Miyamoto ) improve her noodle restaurant. Over the course of the film , the story drifts around , not only following the stories of Tampopo , her son , and Goro , but also a number of customers who come through the diner , including an old woman ( Izumi Hara ) who insists on squeezing the cheese at a market and a criminal ( Ken Watanabe ) with a food - based kink. Tampopo was nominated for Best Foreign Film at the 1988 Independent Spirit Awards.

Although Jim Jarmusch made his directorial debut with Permanent Vacation (1982) Stranger than Paradise (1984) marked his breakthrough as a major American filmmaker. One of the most deadpan comedies ever committed to film Stranger than Paradise suggests a Buster Keaton film written by Samuel Beckett and Jack Kerouac and directed by Andy Warhol. Willie (John Lurie) is a small-time gambler whose distant cousin Eva (Eszter Balint) is moving to America from Eastern Europe and informs him that she'll need to stay with him for ten days. Willie isn't happy to have Eva around but after Willie introduces her to the joys of American cigarettes and TV dinners ("You got your meat you got your potatoes you got your vegetables you got your dessert and you don't have to wash the dishes -- this is how we eat in America!") Eva steals a frozen meal and a pack of smokes from the corner store and Willie is both surprised and impressed. His buddy Eddie (Richard Edson) happens by and they hang out with Eva just long enough to develop a fondness for her before she moves on to Ohio where she'll live with her Aunt Lottie (Cecillia Stark). Months later Willie and Eddie score $600 in a poker game and decide to visit Eva in Ohio. However it's the dead of winter and they have nothing to do except look at the frozen surface of the lake. The three eventually head down to the tacky paradise of Miami where Willie and Eddie try their luck with the ponies and Eva decides what to do next. Stranger than Paradise is a film that defines the notion "It's not what you say but how you say it." Shot in long static takes its style is minimalism itself but the post-beatnik cool of John Lurie Richard Edson and Eszter Balint somehow betrays the fact that they care about each other and a loopy charm and subtle but potent humor seeps through the film's stark black-and-white images. Stranger than Paradise began as a short subject which was made possible by German director Wim Wenders who gave Jarmusch a supply of film stock left over from one of his projects and it went on to become one of the most influential movies of the 1980s casting a wide shadow over the new generation of independent American filmmakers to come.

Although Jim Jarmusch made his directorial debut with Permanent Vacation ( 1982 ), Stranger than Paradise ( 1984 ) marked his breakthrough as a major American filmmaker. One of the most deadpan comedies ever committed to film , Stranger than Paradise suggests a Buster Keaton film written by Samuel Beckett and Jack Kerouac and directed by Andy Warhol . Willie ( John Lurie ) is a small - time gambler whose distant cousin Eva ( Eszter Balint ) is moving to America from Eastern Europe and informs him that she'll need to stay with him for ten days. Willie isn't happy to have Eva around , but after Willie introduces her to the joys of American cigarettes and TV dinners ( "You got your meat , you got your potatoes , you got your vegetables , you got your dessert and you don't have to wash the dishes -- this is how we eat in America!" ), Eva steals a frozen meal and a pack of smokes from the corner store , and Willie is both surprised and impressed. His buddy Eddie ( Richard Edson ) happens by , and they hang out with Eva just long enough to develop a fondness for her before she moves on to Ohio , where she'll live with her Aunt Lottie ( Cecillia Stark ) . Months later , Willie and Eddie score $600 in a poker game and decide to visit Eva in Ohio. However , it's the dead of winter , and they have nothing to do except look at the frozen surface of the lake. The three eventually head down to the tacky paradise of Miami , where Willie and Eddie try their luck with the ponies and Eva decides what to do next. Stranger than Paradise is a film that defines the notion , "It's not what you say , but how you say it." Shot in long , static takes , its style is minimalism itself , but the post - beatnik cool of John Lurie , Richard Edson and Eszter Balint somehow betrays the fact that they care about each other , and a loopy charm and subtle but potent humor seeps through the film's stark black - and - white images. Stranger than Paradise began as a short subject which was made possible by German director Wim Wenders , who gave Jarmusch a supply of film stock left over from one of his projects , and it went on to become one of the most influential movies of the 1980s , casting a wide shadow over the new generation of independent American filmmakers to come.

The American beauty-contest ritual is skewered by screenwriter Jerry Belson and director Michael Ritchie in Smile. The film takes place during an annual pageant in Santa Rosa CA. The event is supervised by local mover and shaker Brenda DiCarlo (Barbara Feldon) to whom the contest is the most important thing on earth. Nothing -- not even the violent backlash of her neglected husband Andy (Nicholas Pryor) -- is allowed to interfere with her pet project. Choreographer Tommy French (Michael Kidd) outwardly nasty and cynical takes money out of his own pocket to insure the safety of the contestants as they parade down a rickety stage runway; chief judge "Big Bob" Freelander (Bruce Dern) discovers that his son is a budding voyeur information which leads to a silly "politically correct" consequence; and the various contestants scheme to upstage one another through a variety of means (one girl puts Vaseline on her teeth to assure a gleaming smile). Among the contestants are such stars-to-be as Colleen Camp Denise Nickerson Annette O'Toole and Melanie Griffith. Though not a hit itself Smile has developed a fervent cult following which led to a Broadway musical version of the property in 1986 with songs by Marvin Hamlisch.

The American beauty - contest ritual is skewered by screenwriter Jerry Belson and director Michael Ritchie in Smile . The film takes place during an annual pageant in Santa Rosa , CA. The event is supervised by local mover and shaker Brenda DiCarlo ( Barbara Feldon ), to whom the contest is the most important thing on earth. Nothing -- not even the violent backlash of her neglected husband , Andy ( Nicholas Pryor ) -- is allowed to interfere with her pet project. Choreographer Tommy French ( Michael Kidd ), outwardly nasty and cynical , takes money out of his own pocket to insure the safety of the contestants as they parade down a rickety stage runway ; chief judge "Big Bob" Freelander ( Bruce Dern ) discovers that his son is a budding voyeur , information which leads to a silly "politically correct" consequence ; and the various contestants scheme to upstage one another through a variety of means ( one girl puts Vaseline on her teeth to assure a gleaming smile ) . Among the contestants are such stars - to - be as Colleen Camp , Denise Nickerson , Annette O'Toole , and Melanie Griffith . Though not a hit itself , Smile has developed a fervent cult following , which led to a Broadway musical version of the property in 1986 , with songs by Marvin Hamlisch .

In 1973 health-food store owner Miles Monroe (Woody Allen) enters the hospital for a routine gall bladder operation. When he expires on the operating table Miles' sister requests permission to cryogenically freeze her brother's body. After 200 years Miles is unwrapped by a group of scientists and awakens to a "brave new world" of deadening conformity ruled with an iron fist by a never-seen leader. Miles is forced to flee for his life when the scientists -- actually a group of revolutionary activists -- are overpowered by the leader's police. He eludes the cops by pretending to be an android and in this guise is sent to work at the home of Luna (Diane Keaton) a composer of greeting cards who thinks that the world of the future is perfect as it stands. There's more but why spoil your fun? Sleeper is the most visual of Woody Allen's earlier films and demonstrated a more pronounced rapport between Allen and his off- and onscreen leading lady Diane Keaton than had previously existed. The Dixieland score is performed by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

In 1973 , health - food store owner Miles Monroe ( Woody Allen ) enters the hospital for a routine gall bladder operation. When he expires on the operating table , Miles' sister requests permission to cryogenically freeze her brother's body. After 200 years , Miles is unwrapped by a group of scientists and awakens to a "brave new world" of deadening conformity , ruled with an iron fist by a never - seen leader. Miles is forced to flee for his life when the scientists -- actually a group of revolutionary activists -- are overpowered by the leader's police. He eludes the cops by pretending to be an android , and in this guise is sent to work at the home of Luna ( Diane Keaton ), a composer of greeting cards who thinks that the world of the future is perfect as it stands. There's more , but why spoil your fun? Sleeper is the most visual of Woody Allen 's earlier films , and demonstrated a more pronounced rapport between Allen and his off - and onscreen leading lady Diane Keaton than had previously existed. The Dixieland score is performed by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band .

A murder has been committed at the palatial Parisian residence of Benjamin Ballon (George Sanders). All the evidence points to sexy wide-eyed housemaid Maria Gambrelli (Elke Sommer). Police inspector Dreyfuss (Herbert Lom) is prepared to make an arrest -- and then the gloriously monumentally inept Inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers) arrives on the scene. Clouseau may have difficulty getting through the day without falling into ponds knocking people cold with opened doors and pocketing flaming cigarette lighters but his instincts are right on target when he decides that Mme. Gambrelli is being framed by someone else in the Ballon household. Even as the murder victims pile up Clouseau is determined to prove Mme. Gambrelli's innocence. As he cuts a bumbling destructive swath through Paris Clouseau drives Dreyfuss literally insane. This fact leads to the literally explosive climax and to the ultimate vindication of Mme. Gambrelli. While we first met Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther Shot in the Dark is the film that truly established the Clouseau mythos: the festive clumsiness the convoluted dialogue ("You shot him in a rit of fealous jage!") the Fractured French ("A beump on zee head!") the twitching lunacy of poor Inspector Dreyfuss the unexpected "judo lessons" of Clouseau's houseboy Kato (Burt Kwouk) and of course the hilariously macabre jokes involving dead or seriously injured bystanders. You'd never know it but A Shot in the Dark was inspired by a standard three-act stage comedy by Harry Kurnitz which in turn was adapted from the French play L'Idiote by Marcel Achard.

A murder has been committed at the palatial Parisian residence of Benjamin Ballon ( George Sanders ) . All the evidence points to sexy , wide - eyed housemaid Maria Gambrelli ( Elke Sommer ) . Police inspector Dreyfuss ( Herbert Lom ) is prepared to make an arrest -- and then the gloriously , monumentally inept Inspector Clouseau ( Peter Sellers ) arrives on the scene. Clouseau may have difficulty getting through the day without falling into ponds , knocking people cold with opened doors , and pocketing flaming cigarette lighters , but his instincts are right on target when he decides that Mme. Gambrelli is being framed by someone else in the Ballon household. Even as the murder victims pile up , Clouseau is determined to prove Mme. Gambrelli's innocence. As he cuts a bumbling , destructive swath through Paris , Clouseau drives Dreyfuss literally insane. This fact leads to the literally explosive climax , and to the ultimate vindication of Mme. Gambrelli. While we first met Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther , Shot in the Dark is the film that truly established the Clouseau mythos : the festive clumsiness , the convoluted dialogue ( "You shot him in a rit of fealous jage!" ), the Fractured French ( "A beump on zee head!" ), the twitching lunacy of poor Inspector Dreyfuss , the unexpected "judo lessons" of Clouseau's houseboy Kato ( Burt Kwouk ), and of course the hilariously macabre jokes involving dead or seriously injured bystanders. You'd never know it , but A Shot in the Dark was inspired by a standard three - act stage comedy by Harry Kurnitz , which in turn was adapted from the French play L'Idiote by Marcel Achard .

Spike Lee's breakthrough independent feature shot in fifteen days on a budget of $175000 ushered in (along with Jim Jarmusch's Stranger Than Paradise) the American independent film movement of the 1980s. It was also a groundbreaking film for African-American filmmakers and a welcome change in the representation of blacks in American cinema depicting men and women of color not as pimps and whores but as intelligent upscale urbanites. Lee's slight tale which carries much psychological and historical baggage concerns Nola Darling (Tracy Camila Johns) a young self-assured Brooklyn woman who juggles three boyfriends -- the polite and well-meaning Jamie Overstreet (Tommy Redmond Hicks) the self-obsessed male model Greer Childs (John Canada Terrell) and the comical bicycle messenger Mars Blackmon (Spike Lee). Nola doesn't want to commit to any of her boyfriends cherishing her personal freedom. But as their relationships with Nola grow each man wants her for himself.

Spike Lee 's breakthrough independent feature , shot in fifteen days on a budget of $175 , 000 , ushered in ( along with Jim Jarmusch 's Stranger Than Paradise ) the American independent film movement of the 1980s. It was also a groundbreaking film for African - American filmmakers and a welcome change in the representation of blacks in American cinema , depicting men and women of color not as pimps and whores , but as intelligent , upscale urbanites. Lee 's slight tale , which carries much psychological and historical baggage , concerns Nola Darling ( Tracy Camila Johns ), a young , self - assured Brooklyn woman who juggles three boyfriends -- the polite and well - meaning Jamie Overstreet ( Tommy Redmond Hicks ), the self - obsessed male model Greer Childs ( John Canada Terrell ), and the comical bicycle messenger Mars Blackmon ( Spike Lee ) . Nola doesn't want to commit to any of her boyfriends , cherishing her personal freedom. But as their relationships with Nola grow , each man wants her for himself.

A frankly adult comedy about the sex lives of the aimless and the rich Shampoo is also a pointed commentary on the demise of 1960s idealism at the dawn of the Nixon era. It is Election Day 1968 and randy Beverly Hills hairdresser George Roundy (Warren Beatty) is too worried about attending to all of his women's tonsorial and sexual needs while trying to swing a bank loan to fund his own salon to notice the fateful Presidential race. As George juggles the demands of girlfriend Jill (Goldie Hawn) and mistress Felicia (Lee Grant) not to mention Felicia's daughter (Carrie Fisher) he meets Felicia's husband Lester (Jack Warden) to get money for the salon and discovers that his beloved ex-girlfriend Jackie (Julie Christie) is now Lester's mistress. Lester asks George to escort Jackie to a banquet for Nixon supporters leading to a series of climactic confrontations at the dinner and a Hollywood orgy that expose the conflicting demands of sex love and security among these terminally narcissistic L.A. denizens. As Nixon's victory speech drones in the background the following day and Paul Simon's mournful '60s music plays on the soundtrack George's free-wheeling world collapses around him for reasons that he can barely begin to comprehend. Produced and co-written (with Chinatown scribe Robert Towne) by its star Warren Beatty Shampoo became Beatty's second critical and popular success as a producer after Bonnie and Clyde and it bolstered Hal Ashby's track record as director. Shampoo earned Grant an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress as well as a Supporting Actor nomination for Warden and Beatty's first nomination as writer. With Nixon's 1974 Watergate disgrace adding an extra edge to the humor for 1975 audiences this tragic bedroom farce became one of the highest-grossing films in Columbia Pictures' history at the time.

A frankly adult comedy about the sex lives of the aimless and the rich , Shampoo is also a pointed commentary on the demise of 1960s idealism at the dawn of the Nixon era. It is Election Day , 1968 , and randy Beverly Hills hairdresser George Roundy ( Warren Beatty ) is too worried about attending to all of his women's tonsorial and sexual needs , while trying to swing a bank loan to fund his own salon , to notice the fateful Presidential race. As George juggles the demands of girlfriend Jill ( Goldie Hawn ) and mistress Felicia ( Lee Grant ), not to mention Felicia's daughter ( Carrie Fisher ), he meets Felicia's husband Lester ( Jack Warden ) to get money for the salon and discovers that his beloved ex - girlfriend Jackie ( Julie Christie ) is now Lester's mistress. Lester asks George to escort Jackie to a banquet for Nixon supporters , leading to a series of climactic confrontations at the dinner and a Hollywood orgy that expose the conflicting demands of sex , love , and security among these terminally narcissistic L.A. denizens. As Nixon 's victory speech drones in the background the following day and Paul Simon 's mournful '60s music plays on the soundtrack , George's free - wheeling world collapses around him for reasons that he can barely begin to comprehend. Produced and co - written ( with Chinatown scribe Robert Towne ) by its star Warren Beatty , Shampoo became Beatty 's second critical and popular success as a producer after Bonnie and Clyde , and it bolstered Hal Ashby 's track record as director. Shampoo earned Grant an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress , as well as a Supporting Actor nomination for Warden and Beatty 's first nomination as writer. With Nixon 's 1974 Watergate disgrace adding an extra edge to the humor for 1975 audiences , this tragic bedroom farce became one of the highest - grossing films in Columbia Pictures' history at the time.

This modernization of Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac casts Steve Martin as C. D. Bates the fearless quick-witted fire chief of a Washington State resort town. Bates' most trusted fireman is the handsome but tongue-tied Chris McDonell (Rick Rossovich). Both men are in love with the beautiful Roxanne Kowalski (Darryl Hannah) but Bates adorned with a huge nose that makes Bob Hope look like Nanette Fabray is convinced that he's too homely to win Roxanne's heart. Thus in the self-sacrificing tradition of Cyrano de Bergerac Bates courts Roxanne vicariously by feeding his rival Chris the proper romantic words and phrases. The inherent pathos in Roxanne is offset by moments of slapstick notably the scene wherein C. D. Bates vanquishes a pair of hooligans with a tennis racket. Steve Martin himself is credited with the screenplay for Roxanne though he generously cites Edmond Rostand as his inspiration.

This modernization of Edmond Rostand 's Cyrano de Bergerac casts Steve Martin as C. D. Bates , the fearless , quick - witted fire chief of a Washington State resort town. Bates' most trusted fireman is the handsome but tongue - tied Chris McDonell ( Rick Rossovich ) . Both men are in love with the beautiful Roxanne Kowalski ( Darryl Hannah ), but Bates , adorned with a huge nose that makes Bob Hope look like Nanette Fabray , is convinced that he's too homely to win Roxanne's heart. Thus , in the self - sacrificing tradition of Cyrano de Bergerac , Bates courts Roxanne vicariously by feeding his rival Chris the proper romantic words and phrases. The inherent pathos in Roxanne is offset by moments of slapstick , notably the scene wherein C. D. Bates vanquishes a pair of hooligans with a tennis racket. Steve Martin himself is credited with the screenplay for Roxanne , though he generously cites Edmond Rostand as his inspiration.

Woody Allen blurs the the boundaries between the real and unreal in this unique comic fantasy. The scene is a small town in the mid-1930s. Trapped in a dead-end job and an abusive marriage Cecelia (Mia Farrow) regularly seeks refuge in the local movie house. She becomes so enraptured by the latest attraction an RKO screwball comedy called The Purple Rose of Cairo that she returns to the theatre day after day. During one of these visits the film's main character Tom Baxter (Jeff Daniels) pauses in his dialogue turns towards the audience and says to Cecelia "My God how you must love this picture." Then he climbs out of the movie much to the consternation of the rest of the audience and the other characters on screen. Liberated from his customary black-and-white environs he accompanies Cecelia on a tour of the town eventually falling in love with her. Meanwhile the other Purple Rose characters unable to proceed with the film carry on a discussion with themselves. Desperately the RKO executives seek out Gil Shepherd the actor who played the hero of Purple Rose. Shepherd (also played by Daniels) is sent to Cecelia's hometown to see if he can repair the damage.

Woody Allen blurs the the boundaries between the real and unreal in this unique comic fantasy. The scene is a small town in the mid - 1930s. Trapped in a dead - end job and an abusive marriage , Cecelia ( Mia Farrow ) regularly seeks refuge in the local movie house. She becomes so enraptured by the latest attraction , an RKO screwball comedy called The Purple Rose of Cairo , that she returns to the theatre day after day. During one of these visits , the film's main character Tom Baxter ( Jeff Daniels ), pauses in his dialogue , turns towards the audience , and says to Cecelia , "My God , how you must love this picture." Then he climbs out of the movie , much to the consternation of the rest of the audience and the other characters on screen. Liberated from his customary black - and - white environs , he accompanies Cecelia on a tour of the town , eventually falling in love with her. Meanwhile , the other Purple Rose characters , unable to proceed with the film , carry on a discussion with themselves. Desperately , the RKO executives seek out Gil Shepherd , the actor who played the hero of Purple Rose . Shepherd ( also played by Daniels ), is sent to Cecelia's hometown to see if he can repair the damage.

Robert Altman takes a scalpel to Hollywood ethics in the 1990s (or the lack thereof) in his acidic satire The Player adapted from Michael Tolkin's novel. (Tolkin also wrote the screenplay.) The film concerns a sleek and smooth Hollywood studio executive who starts receiving death threats from a disgruntled writer because he has committed the ultimate Hollywood sin -- he promised the writer he would call him back and he never did. This is particularly ironic because the studio executive Griffin Mill (Tim Robbins) is considered "writer-friendly" spending his days listening to pitches from such noted screenwriters as Buck Henry who is pushing "The Graduate Part II" and Alan Rudolph who is hawking a Bruce Willis action film described as "Ghost meets The Manchurian Candidate." But The Player finds Griffin's comfortable life style in danger of collapse. He is trying to find a way to unload his girlfriend (Cynthia Stevenson) whose independence and intelligence make her a poor candidate for a trophy wife. More importantly it seems that Larry Levy (Peter Gallagher) a slippery executive from Twentieth Century Fox is angling for his job. And then there are those nasty postcards and faxes from a screenwriter threatening to kill him. Altman cast over 65 stars in cameo roles as texture for his scabrous tale.

Robert Altman takes a scalpel to Hollywood ethics in the 1990s ( or the lack thereof ) in his acidic satire The Player , adapted from Michael Tolkin 's novel. ( Tolkin also wrote the screenplay. ) The film concerns a sleek and smooth Hollywood studio executive who starts receiving death threats from a disgruntled writer because he has committed the ultimate Hollywood sin -- he promised the writer he would call him back and he never did. This is particularly ironic because the studio executive , Griffin Mill ( Tim Robbins ), is considered "writer - friendly , " spending his days listening to pitches from such noted screenwriters as Buck Henry , who is pushing "The Graduate , Part II" and Alan Rudolph , who is hawking a Bruce Willis action film described as " Ghost meets The Manchurian Candidate ." But The Player finds Griffin's comfortable life style in danger of collapse. He is trying to find a way to unload his girlfriend ( Cynthia Stevenson ) whose independence and intelligence make her a poor candidate for a trophy wife. More importantly , it seems that Larry Levy ( Peter Gallagher ), a slippery executive from Twentieth Century Fox , is angling for his job. And then there are those nasty postcards and faxes from a screenwriter threatening to kill him. Altman cast over 65 stars in cameo roles as texture for his scabrous tale.

Woody Allen's Love and Death is purportedly a satire of all things Russian from Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoyevsky novels to Sergei Eisenstein films but it plays more like a spin on Bob Hope's Monsieur Beaucaire. Allen plays Boris a 19th century Russian who falls in love with his distant (and married) cousin Sonja (Diane Keaton). Pressed into service with the Russian army during the war against Napoleon Boris accidentally becomes a hero then goes on to win a duel against a cuckolded husband (Harold Gould). He returns to Sonja hoping to settle down on the Steppes somewhere but Sonja has become fired up with patriotic fervor insisting that Boris join a plot to kill Napoleon. Intellectual in-jokes abound in Love and Death and other gags are basic Allen one-liners; for instance after being congratulated for his lovemaking skills Boris replies nonchalantly "I practice a lot when I'm alone." The pseudo-Russian ambience of Love and Death is comically enhanced by the Sergey Prokofiev compositions on the musical track.

Woody Allen 's Love and Death is purportedly a satire of all things Russian , from Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoyevsky novels to Sergei Eisenstein films , but it plays more like a spin on Bob Hope 's Monsieur Beaucaire . Allen plays Boris , a 19th century Russian who falls in love with his distant ( and married ) cousin Sonja ( Diane Keaton ) . Pressed into service with the Russian army during the war against Napoleon , Boris accidentally becomes a hero , then goes on to win a duel against a cuckolded husband ( Harold Gould ) . He returns to Sonja , hoping to settle down on the Steppes somewhere , but Sonja has become fired up with patriotic fervor , insisting that Boris join a plot to kill Napoleon. Intellectual in - jokes abound in Love and Death , and other gags are basic Allen one - liners ; for instance , after being congratulated for his lovemaking skills , Boris replies nonchalantly , "I practice a lot when I'm alone." The pseudo - Russian ambience of Love and Death is comically enhanced by the Sergey Prokofiev compositions on the musical track.

ored with their cushy suburban existence yuppie David (Albert Brooks) talks his wife Linda (Julie Hagerty) into selling everything they own and hitting the road to "see America." As a starting-over gesture David and Linda are romantically remarried in Las Vegas -- which ironically proves to be the beginning of the end of their idyll. In short order Linda loses their life's savings the couple nearly self-destructs at Hoover Dam they take blue-collar jobs in a go-nowhere Arizona town and....Well if you know your Albert Brooks be prepared for a steady stream of manic social satire.

Bored with their cushy suburban existence , yuppie David ( Albert Brooks ) talks his wife Linda ( Julie Hagerty ) into selling everything they own and hitting the road to "see America." As a starting - over gesture , David and Linda are romantically remarried in Las Vegas -- which , ironically , proves to be the beginning of the end of their idyll. In short order , Linda loses their life's savings , the couple nearly self - destructs at Hoover Dam , they take blue - collar jobs in a go - nowhere Arizona town , and....Well , if you know your Albert Brooks , be prepared for a steady stream of manic social satire.

A young man with a death wish and a 79-year-old high on life find love in Hal Ashby's cult black comedy. Deadpan rich boy Harold (Bud Cort) keeps staging elaborate suicide tableaux to get the attention of his mother (Vivian Pickles) but she keeps planning his brilliant future for him instead. Obsessed with the trappings of death Harold freaks out his blind dates modifies his new sports car to look like a mini-hearse and attends funerals where he meets the spirited Maude (Ruth Gordon). An eccentric to the core Maude lives exactly as she pleases with avid collecting and nude modeling among her many pursuits. To the disgust of Harold's relatives and the befuddlement of Harold's shrink Harold falls in love with her. As lilting Cat Stevens tunes play on the soundtrack Maude teaches Harold a valuable lesson about making the most of his time on earth.

A young man with a death wish and a 79 - year - old high on life find love in Hal Ashby 's cult black comedy. Deadpan rich boy Harold ( Bud Cort ) keeps staging elaborate suicide tableaux to get the attention of his mother ( Vivian Pickles ), but she keeps planning his brilliant future for him instead. Obsessed with the trappings of death , Harold freaks out his blind dates , modifies his new sports car to look like a mini - hearse , and attends funerals , where he meets the spirited Maude ( Ruth Gordon ) . An eccentric to the core , Maude lives exactly as she pleases , with avid collecting and nude modeling among her many pursuits. To the disgust of Harold's relatives and the befuddlement of Harold's shrink , Harold falls in love with her. As lilting Cat Stevens tunes play on the soundtrack , Maude teaches Harold a valuable lesson about making the most of his time on earth.

ill Murray plays Phil a TV weatherman working for a local station in Pennsylvania but convinced that national news stardom is in his grasp. Phil displays a charm and wit on camera that evaporates the moment the red light goes off; he is bitter appallingly self-centered and treats his co-workers with contempt especially his producer Rita (Andie MacDowell) and cameraman Larry (Chris Elliot). On February 2 1992 Phil Rita and Larry are sent on an assignment that Phil especially loathes: the annual Groundhog Day festivities in Punxsutawney PA where the citizens await the appearance of Punxsutawney Phil the groundhog who will supposedly determine the length of winter by his ability to see his own shadow. Phil is eager to beat a hasty retreat but when a freak snowstorm strands him in Punxsutawney he wakes up the next morning with the strangest sense of déjà vu: he seems to be living the same day over again. The next morning it happens again and then again. Soon no matter what he does he's stuck in February 2 1992; not imprisonment nor attempted suicide nor kidnapping the groundhog gets him out of the loop. But the more Phil relives the same day the more he's forced to look at other people's lives and something unusual happens: he begins to care about others. He starts to respect people he tries to save the life of a homeless man and he discovers that he's falling in love with Rita and therefore wants to be someone that she could love in return.

Bill Murray plays Phil , a TV weatherman working for a local station in Pennsylvania but convinced that national news stardom is in his grasp. Phil displays a charm and wit on camera that evaporates the moment the red light goes off ; he is bitter , appallingly self - centered , and treats his co - workers with contempt , especially his producer Rita ( Andie MacDowell ) and cameraman Larry ( Chris Elliot ) . On February 2 , 1992 , Phil , Rita , and Larry are sent on an assignment that Phil especially loathes : the annual Groundhog Day festivities in Punxsutawney , PA , where the citizens await the appearance of Punxsutawney Phil , the groundhog who will supposedly determine the length of winter by his ability to see his own shadow. Phil is eager to beat a hasty retreat , but when a freak snowstorm strands him in Punxsutawney , he wakes up the next morning with the strangest sense of déjà vu : he seems to be living the same day over again. The next morning it happens again , and then again. Soon , no matter what he does , he's stuck in February 2 , 1992 ; not imprisonment nor attempted suicide nor kidnapping the groundhog gets him out of the loop. But the more Phil relives the same day , the more he's forced to look at other people's lives , and something unusual happens : he begins to care about others. He starts to respect people , he tries to save the life of a homeless man , and he discovers that he's falling in love with Rita and therefore wants to be someone that she could love in return.

ill Murray Dan Aykroyd Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson star as a quartet of Manhattan-based "paranormal investigators". When their government grants run out the former three go into business as The Ghostbusters later hiring Hudson on. Armed with electronic paraphernalia the team is spectacularly successful ridding The Big Apple of dozens of ghoulies ghosties and long-legged beasties. Tight-lipped bureaucrat William Atherton regards the Ghostbusters as a bunch of charlatans but is forced to eat his words when New York is besieged by an army of unfriendly spirits conjured up by a long-dead Babylonian demon and "channelled" through beautiful cellist Sigourney Weaver and nerdish Rick Moranis. The climax is a glorious sendup of every Godzilla movie ever made-and we daresay it cost more than a year's worth of Japanese monster flicks combined. Who'd ever dream that the chubby cheery Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man would turn out to be the most malevolent threat ever faced by New York City? When the script for Ghostbusters was forged by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis John Belushi was slated to play the Bill Murray role; Belushi's death in 1982 not only necessitated the hiring of Murray but also an extensive rewrite. The most expensive comedy made up to 1984 Ghostbusters made money hand over fist spawning not only a 1989 sequel but also two animated TV series (one of them partially based on an earlier live-action TV weekly titled The Ghost Busters.

Bill Murray , Dan Aykroyd , Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson star as a quartet of Manhattan - based "paranormal investigators". When their government grants run out , the former three go into business as The Ghostbusters , later hiring Hudson on. Armed with electronic paraphernalia , the team is spectacularly successful , ridding The Big Apple of dozens of ghoulies , ghosties and long - legged beasties. Tight - lipped bureaucrat William Atherton regards the Ghostbusters as a bunch of charlatans , but is forced to eat his words when New York is besieged by an army of unfriendly spirits , conjured up by a long - dead Babylonian demon and "channelled" through beautiful cellist Sigourney Weaver and nerdish Rick Moranis . The climax is a glorious sendup of every Godzilla movie ever made - and we daresay it cost more than a year's worth of Japanese monster flicks combined. Who'd ever dream that the chubby , cheery Stay - Puft Marshmallow Man would turn out to be the most malevolent threat ever faced by New York City? When the script for Ghostbusters was forged by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis , John Belushi was slated to play the Bill Murray role ; Belushi's death in 1982 not only necessitated the hiring of Murray , but also an extensive rewrite. The most expensive comedy made up to 1984 , Ghostbusters made money hand over fist , spawning not only a 1989 sequel but also two animated TV series ( one of them partially based on an earlier live - action TV weekly , titled The Ghost Busters .

Garson Kanin's Broadway hit was transferred to the screen with only a few passing nods to the stricter censorship required by films. Judy Holliday won an Oscar for her portrayal of Billie Dawn a strident dim-bulbed ex-chorus girl who is the mistress of millionaire junk tycoon Harry Brock (Broderick Crawford). In Washington to put a few senators and congressmen in his pocket (the better to lay the groundwork for an illegal cartel) the rude-and-crude Brock realizes that the unrefined Billie will prove an embarrassment. Thus he hires idealistic but impoverished Paul Verrell (William Holden) to pump some intelligence and "class" into Billie. Paul does his job too well; by awakening Billie's social and political consciousness he turns the girl into Brock's most formidable foe in his efforts to buy influence in DC. Along the way Paul and Billie fall in love.

Garson Kanin 's Broadway hit was transferred to the screen with only a few passing nods to the stricter censorship required by films. Judy Holliday won an Oscar for her portrayal of Billie Dawn , a strident , dim - bulbed ex - chorus girl who is the mistress of millionaire junk tycoon Harry Brock ( Broderick Crawford ) . In Washington to put a few senators and congressmen in his pocket ( the better to lay the groundwork for an illegal cartel ), the rude - and - crude Brock realizes that the unrefined Billie will prove an embarrassment. Thus he hires idealistic but impoverished Paul Verrell ( William Holden ) to pump some intelligence and "class" into Billie. Paul does his job too well ; by awakening Billie's social and political consciousness , he turns the girl into Brock's most formidable foe in his efforts to buy influence in DC. Along the way Paul and Billie fall in love.

More than anything else 13-year old New Jerseyite Josh (David Moscow) wants to be "big". That's the wish he makes at an odd-looking amusement pier fortunetelling machine. The next morning Josh wakes up-only to discover that he's grown to manhood overnight! (At this point the part is taken over by Tom Hanks). Still a 13-year-old mentally and emotionally Josh decides to hide out in New York City until he can figure out what to do next. He lucks into a job with a major toy company run by kid-at-heart McMillan (Robert Loggia). By cannily bringing a child's eye view to McMillan's business Josh rises to the top-and in process he falls in love with fellow employee Susan (Elizabeth Perkins). But he's still a kid and he'd like to go back to his own world and own body. Written by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg Big proved a crucial success for budding director Penny Marshall who'd work harmoniously with Hanks again on the radically different A League of Their Own. The cinematography was by Barry Sonenfeld who went on to become a director himself with The Addams Family. That Big was heavily reliant upon the input of Tom Hanks and Penny Marshall was proven by the failed attempt to turn the property into a Broadway musical.

More than anything else , 13 - year old New Jerseyite Josh ( David Moscow ) wants to be "big". That's the wish he makes at an odd - looking amusement pier fortunetelling machine. The next morning , Josh wakes up - only to discover that he's grown to manhood overnight! ( At this point , the part is taken over by Tom Hanks ) . Still a 13 - year - old mentally and emotionally , Josh decides to hide out in New York City until he can figure out what to do next. He lucks into a job with a major toy company run by kid - at - heart McMillan ( Robert Loggia ) . By cannily bringing a child's eye view to McMillan's business , Josh rises to the top - and in process , he falls in love with fellow employee Susan ( Elizabeth Perkins ) . But he's still a kid , and he'd like to go back to his own world and own body. Written by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg , Big proved a crucial success for budding director Penny Marshall , who'd work harmoniously with Hanks again on the radically different A League of Their Own . The cinematography was by Barry Sonenfeld , who went on to become a director himself with The Addams Family . That Big was heavily reliant upon the input of Tom Hanks and Penny Marshall was proven by the failed attempt to turn the property into a Broadway musical.

On her deathbed mean-spirited millionairess Lily Tomlin has her will amended so that her soul will pass into the body of young healthy Victoria Tennant. Thanks to a mix-up in transmutation Tomlin winds up instead trapped in the body of upright (and uptight) attorney Steve Martin. The plot involves the fragility of male-female relationships the importance of making commitments and the antics of goofy guru Richard Libertini. As ridiculous as it sounds All of Me is completely credible thanks to Steve Martin's remarkable "body language" when conveying the notion that he's two different people with two different sets of emotions and gestures. Though the circumstances of the plot won't allow Martin to connect with the lovely Tennant in real life things were different: the two costars were married shortly after filming wrapped. Phil Alden Robinson and Henry Olek adapted the script from Ed Davis' novel Me Too.

On her deathbed , mean - spirited millionairess Lily Tomlin has her will amended so that her soul will pass into the body of young , healthy Victoria Tennant . Thanks to a mix - up in transmutation , Tomlin winds up instead trapped in the body of upright ( and uptight ) attorney Steve Martin . The plot involves the fragility of male - female relationships , the importance of making commitments , and the antics of goofy guru Richard Libertini . As ridiculous as it sounds , All of Me is completely credible , thanks to Steve Martin 's remarkable "body language" when conveying the notion that he's two different people with two different sets of emotions and gestures. Though the circumstances of the plot won't allow Martin to connect with the lovely Tennant , in real life things were different : the two costars were married shortly after filming wrapped. Phil Alden Robinson and Henry Olek adapted the script from Ed Davis' novel Me Too .

ased on Helen Fielding's hugely popular novel this romantic comedy follows Bridget (Renee Zellweger) a post-feminist thirty-something British woman who has a penchant for alcoholic binges smoking and an inability to control her weight. While trying to keep these things in check and also deal with her job in publishing she visits her parents for a Christmas party. They try to set her up with Mark (Colin Firth) the visiting son of one of their neighbors. Snubbed by Mark she instead falls for her boss Daniel (Hugh Grant) a dashing lothario who begins to send her suggestive e-mails that soon lead to a dinner date proposition. Daniel reveals that he and Mark attended college together during which time Mark had an affair with his fiancée. When Bridget finds Daniel cavorting with an American colleague she decides to change her life with a new job as a TV presenter. At a dinner party she bumps into Mark again who expresses his affection for her; when Daniel claims he wants Bridget back the two fight over who deserves her affections the most. Popular British performers Gemma Jones Jim Broadbent and Shirley Henderson appear in the supporting cast.

Based on Helen Fielding's hugely popular novel , this romantic comedy follows Bridget ( Renee Zellweger ), a post - feminist , thirty - something British woman who has a penchant for alcoholic binges , smoking , and an inability to control her weight. While trying to keep these things in check and also deal with her job in publishing , she visits her parents for a Christmas party. They try to set her up with Mark ( Colin Firth ), the visiting son of one of their neighbors. Snubbed by Mark , she instead falls for her boss Daniel ( Hugh Grant ), a dashing lothario who begins to send her suggestive e - mails that soon lead to a dinner date proposition. Daniel reveals that he and Mark attended college together , during which time Mark had an affair with his fiancée. When Bridget finds Daniel cavorting with an American colleague , she decides to change her life with a new job as a TV presenter. At a dinner party , she bumps into Mark again , who expresses his affection for her ; when Daniel claims he wants Bridget back , the two fight over who deserves her affections the most. Popular British performers Gemma Jones , Jim Broadbent , and Shirley Henderson appear in the supporting cast.

A young pig fights convention to become a sheep dog -- or rather sheep pig -- in this charming Australian family film which became an unexpected international success due to superior special effects and an intelligent script. The title refers to the name bestowed on a piglet soon after his separation from his family when he finds himself on a strange farm. Confused and sad Babe is adopted by a friendly dog and slowly adjusts to his new home. Discovering that the fate of most pigs is the dinner table Babe devotes himself to becoming a useful member of the farm by trying to learn how to herd sheep despite the skepticism of the other animals and the kindly but conventional Farmer Hoggett (James Cromwell). Because technically impeccable animatronics and computer graphics allow the farm animals to converse easily among themselves first-time director Chris Noonan can treat the film's menagerie as actual characters playing scene not for cuteness but for real emotions. The result is often surprisingly touching with Noonan and George Miller's script based on Dick King-Smith's children's book and indirectly a true story seamlessly combining gentle whimsy and sincere feeling. These same qualities are embodied by in Cromwell's beautifully understated performance as Farmer Hoggett which anchors the film. Despite its unlikely premise and low profile Babe's inspirational story was embraced by audiences and critics and the movie became an international sleeper that won an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. It was followed in 1999 by the less successful Babe: Pig in the City.

A young pig fights convention to become a sheep dog -- or , rather , sheep pig -- in this charming Australian family film , which became an unexpected international success due to superior special effects and an intelligent script. The title refers to the name bestowed on a piglet soon after his separation from his family , when he finds himself on a strange farm. Confused and sad , Babe is adopted by a friendly dog and slowly adjusts to his new home. Discovering that the fate of most pigs is the dinner table , Babe devotes himself to becoming a useful member of the farm by trying to learn how to herd sheep , despite the skepticism of the other animals and the kindly but conventional Farmer Hoggett ( James Cromwell ) . Because technically impeccable animatronics and computer graphics allow the farm animals to converse easily among themselves , first - time director Chris Noonan can treat the film's menagerie as actual characters , playing scene not for cuteness but for real emotions. The result is often surprisingly touching , with Noonan and George Miller 's script , based on Dick King - Smith's children's book and , indirectly , a true story , seamlessly combining gentle whimsy and sincere feeling. These same qualities are embodied by in Cromwell's beautifully understated performance as Farmer Hoggett , which anchors the film. Despite its unlikely premise and low profile , Babe 's inspirational story was embraced by audiences and critics , and the movie became an international sleeper that won an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. It was followed in 1999 by the less successful Babe : Pig in the City .

One of the most popular movie musicals of all time The Sound of Music is based on the true story of the Trapp Family Singers. Julie Andrews stars as Maria a young nun in an Austrian convent who regularly misses her morning prayers because she enjoys going to the hills to sing the title song. Deciding that Maria needs to learn something about the real world before she can take her vows the Mother Superior (Peggy Wood) sends her off to be governess for the children of the widowed Captain Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). Arriving at the Trapp home Maria discovers that her new boss is cold and aloof and his seven children virtual automatons-at least whenever the Captain is around. Otherwise the kids are holy terrors as evidenced by the fact that Maria is the latest in a long line of governesses. But Maria soon ingratiates herself with the children especially oldest daughter Liesl (Charmian Carr) who is in love with teenaged messenger boy Rolf. As Maria herself begins to fall in love with the Captain she rushes back to the Abbey so as not to complicate his impending marriage to a glamorous baroness (Eleanor Parker). But the children insist that Maria return the Baroness steps out of the picture and Maria and the Captain confirm their love in the song "Something Good." Unhappily they return home from their honeymoon shortly after the Nazis march into Austria. Already swastikas have been hung on the Von Trapp ancestral home and Liesl's boyfriend Rolf has been indoctrinated in the "glories" of the Third Reich. The biggest blow occurs when Von Trapp is called back to active duty in the service of the Fuhrer. The Captain wants nothing to do with Nazism and he begins making plans to take himself and his family out of Austria.

One of the most popular movie musicals of all time , The Sound of Music is based on the true story of the Trapp Family Singers. Julie Andrews stars as Maria , a young nun in an Austrian convent who regularly misses her morning prayers because she enjoys going to the hills to sing the title song. Deciding that Maria needs to learn something about the real world before she can take her vows , the Mother Superior ( Peggy Wood ) sends her off to be governess for the children of the widowed Captain Von Trapp ( Christopher Plummer ) . Arriving at the Trapp home , Maria discovers that her new boss is cold and aloof , and his seven children virtual automatons - at least , whenever the Captain is around. Otherwise , the kids are holy terrors , as evidenced by the fact that Maria is the latest in a long line of governesses. But Maria soon ingratiates herself with the children , especially oldest daughter Liesl ( Charmian Carr ), who is in love with teenaged messenger boy Rolf. As Maria herself begins to fall in love with the Captain , she rushes back to the Abbey so as not to complicate his impending marriage to a glamorous baroness ( Eleanor Parker ) . But the children insist that Maria return , the Baroness steps out of the picture , and Maria and the Captain confirm their love in the song "Something Good." Unhappily , they return home from their honeymoon shortly after the Nazis march into Austria. Already , swastikas have been hung on the Von Trapp ancestral home , and Liesl's boyfriend Rolf has been indoctrinated in the "glories" of the Third Reich. The biggest blow occurs when Von Trapp is called back to active duty in the service of the Fuhrer. The Captain wants nothing to do with Nazism , and he begins making plans to take himself and his family out of Austria.

ased on the novel by Fred Gipson Old Yeller is set in Texas in 1869. While his father is away on a cattle drive 15-year-old Travis Coates (Tommy Kirk) takes over management of the family farm. Adopting a "strictly business" policy Travis is irritated when younger brother Arliss (Kevin Corcoran) adopts a frisky stray dog. But soon Travis is as fond of the dog as everyone else in the family; moreover "Old Yeller" is an excellent watchdog. But while fighting off a mad wolf Yeller is infected with rabies. Though Yeller seems unaffected at first he eventually behaves so viciously that the disheartened Travis has no choice but to shoot the dog. A heart-to-heart talk between Travis and his returning father (Fess Parker) coupled with the adoption of a new pup paves the way to an emotional but reasonably happy ending. Earning eight million dolalrs domestically on its first release Old Yeller convinced Walt Disney to devote more and more time to live-action films and less time to animation -- which at the time was a sagacious business move. In 1963 Disney released a lesser sequel to Old Yeller titled Savage Sam.

Based on the novel by Fred Gipson , Old Yeller is set in Texas in 1869. While his father is away on a cattle drive , 15 - year - old Travis Coates ( Tommy Kirk ) takes over management of the family farm. Adopting a "strictly business" policy , Travis is irritated when younger brother , Arliss ( Kevin Corcoran ), adopts a frisky stray dog. But soon Travis is as fond of the dog as everyone else in the family ; moreover , "Old Yeller" is an excellent watchdog. But while fighting off a mad wolf , Yeller is infected with rabies. Though Yeller seems unaffected at first , he eventually behaves so viciously that the disheartened Travis has no choice but to shoot the dog. A heart - to - heart talk between Travis and his returning father ( Fess Parker ), coupled with the adoption of a new pup , paves the way to an emotional but reasonably happy ending. Earning eight million dolalrs domestically on its first release , Old Yeller convinced Walt Disney to devote more and more time to live - action films and less time to animation -- which at the time was a sagacious business move. In 1963 , Disney released a lesser sequel to Old Yeller titled Savage Sam .

This superbly animated children's tale is directed by Hayao Miyazaki one of Japan's most beloved animators. The story follows Satsuke and Mei two young girls who find that their new country home is in a mystical forest inhabited by a menagerie of mystical creatures called Totoros. They befriend O Totoro the biggest and eldest Totoro who is also the king of the forest. As their girls' mother lies sick in the hospital O Totoro brings the sisters on a magical adventure but also helps them to understand the realities of life. Like most films released by Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli this family-oriented feature has a powerful ecological theme. The English-language version of this film wasn't dubbed until many years later explaining the presence of actors such as Dakota Fanning in the cast (who wasn't even born until 1994).

This superbly animated children's tale is directed by Hayao Miyazaki , one of Japan's most beloved animators. The story follows Satsuke and Mei , two young girls who find that their new country home is in a mystical forest inhabited by a menagerie of mystical creatures called Totoros. They befriend O Totoro , the biggest and eldest Totoro , who is also the king of the forest. As their girls' mother lies sick in the hospital , O Totoro brings the sisters on a magical adventure but also helps them to understand the realities of life. Like most films released by Miyazaki 's Studio Ghibli , this family - oriented feature has a powerful ecological theme. The English - language version of this film wasn't dubbed until many years later , explaining the presence of actors such as Dakota Fanning in the cast ( who wasn't even born until 1994 ) .

This stop-motion animated fable was a big hit when it was released -- not only at the box office but critically. It was praised for its stunning originality and for the excellence of its execution. In addition it was praised for being a completely absorbing fable that both grownups and children can enjoy so long as the children are able to its handle scary bits (beginning perhaps at age seven or eight). In the story Jack Skellington (voice of Chris Sarandon) is the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown a realm of reality where the inhabitants make it their life's work to scare humans on Halloween. He's good at his work and is very popular around town but it all bores him. In a funk one day he wanders into a wood where every tree is the doorway to realms serving one or another human holiday and falls through the doorway into Christmas. There he sees scenes of such glee and good will that he is overwhelmed. He returns to Halloweentown with the inspiration to persuade his fellow citizens to kidnap Santa and do Christmas in their own Halloweentown way -- complete with snakes and shrunken heads. Despite strong arguments against this project by Jack's otherwise loyal girlfriend Sally (voice of Catherine O'Hara) Santa (voice of Edward Ivory) is duly captured and the townspeople prepare a very special Christmas for everyone. Jack is excited about the new plan and at first doesn't notice that Sally isn't around much anymore. Meanwhile Oogie Boogie (voice of Ken Page) a sinister opponent of Jack's has re-kidnapped Santa and has captured Sally as well. Since Sally is the true love of Jack's life and (he eventually realizes) the only one who can be relied upon to tell him the truth in every circumstance a confrontation with Oogie Boogie becomes inevitable. In addition to being a monumental work of animation (it took over 120 animators and many more technicians more than two years to film it) this show features ten very appropriate musical numbers by composer Danny Elfman who also supplies Jack's singing voice. In October 2006 fans of the innovative animated classic got to experience The Nightmare Before Christmas in a whole new dimension when the film was re-released into theaters in Disney Digital 3-D -- a process developed to add remarkable new depth to films that were originally released in standard 2-D.

This stop - motion animated fable was a big hit when it was released -- not only at the box office , but critically. It was praised for its stunning originality and for the excellence of its execution. In addition , it was praised for being a completely absorbing fable that both grownups and children can enjoy , so long as the children are able to its handle scary bits ( beginning perhaps at age seven or eight ) . In the story , Jack Skellington ( voice of Chris Sarandon ) is the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown , a realm of reality where the inhabitants make it their life's work to scare humans on Halloween. He's good at his work , and is very popular around town , but it all bores him. In a funk one day , he wanders into a wood where every tree is the doorway to realms serving one or another human holiday , and falls through the doorway into Christmas. There , he sees scenes of such glee and good will that he is overwhelmed. He returns to Halloweentown with the inspiration to persuade his fellow citizens to kidnap Santa and do Christmas in their own Halloweentown way -- complete with snakes and shrunken heads. Despite strong arguments against this project by Jack's otherwise loyal girlfriend , Sally ( voice of Catherine O'Hara ), Santa ( voice of Edward Ivory ) is duly captured , and the townspeople prepare a very special Christmas for everyone. Jack is excited about the new plan , and at first doesn't notice that Sally isn't around much anymore. Meanwhile , Oogie Boogie ( voice of Ken Page ), a sinister opponent of Jack's , has re - kidnapped Santa and has captured Sally as well. Since Sally is the true love of Jack's life and ( he eventually realizes ) the only one who can be relied upon to tell him the truth in every circumstance , a confrontation with Oogie Boogie becomes inevitable. In addition to being a monumental work of animation ( it took over 120 animators and many more technicians more than two years to film it ), this show features ten very appropriate musical numbers by composer Danny Elfman , who also supplies Jack's singing voice. In October 2006 , fans of the innovative animated classic got to experience The Nightmare Before Christmas in a whole new dimension when the film was re - released into theaters in Disney Digital 3 - D -- a process developed to add remarkable new depth to films that were originally released in standard 2 - D.

This Disney animated classic is based on the children's story by Dodie Smith. The story involves the canine pets of a struggling composer and his wife: Dalmatians Pongo (male) and Perdita (female). Perdita gives birth to fifteen spotted pups cuing the entrance of the scheming Cruella De Vil. She demands that the dogs' owners sell her the pups but she is shown the door instead. Under cover of night Cruella arranges for the pups to be stolen. The human police are baffled but the "dog network" is alerted by Pongo and sent to rescue the pups. It is discovered that Cruella has been rounding up every Dalmatian she can get her hands on hoping to use their pelts to make one spectacular fur coat. The dogs rescue the 15 pups plus 86 others stolen by Ms. DeVil. After an eventful escape the 101 Dalmatians make their way home--whereupon the composer pens a hit tune "Dalmatian Plantation". 101 Dalmatians represents the Disney animation staff at its very best and as a bonus introduces the world to Cruella De Vil one of the greatest movie villains--cartoon or "real"--of all time.

This Disney animated classic is based on the children's story by Dodie Smith . The story involves the canine pets of a struggling composer and his wife : Dalmatians Pongo ( male ) and Perdita ( female ) . Perdita gives birth to fifteen spotted pups , cuing the entrance of the scheming Cruella De Vil. She demands that the dogs' owners sell her the pups , but she is shown the door instead. Under cover of night , Cruella arranges for the pups to be stolen. The human police are baffled , but the "dog network" is alerted by Pongo and sent to rescue the pups. It is discovered that Cruella has been rounding up every Dalmatian she can get her hands on , hoping to use their pelts to make one spectacular fur coat. The dogs rescue the 15 pups , plus 86 others stolen by Ms. DeVil. After an eventful escape , the 101 Dalmatians make their way home -- whereupon the composer pens a hit tune , "Dalmatian Plantation". 101 Dalmatians represents the Disney animation staff at its very best , and as a bonus introduces the world to Cruella De Vil , one of the greatest movie villains -- cartoon or "real" -- of all time.

Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear from of the large crew of loveably fuzzy characters created by puppetmaster Jim Henson have embarked on a quest for stardom. They take a trip to Hollywood riding in or on a wide variety of vehicles along the way. They begin their journey on a bicycle pedalled by Kermit but friends accumulate along the way and they change vehicles to accomodate them. They have the additional challenge of fending off the entreaties of the heartless Doc Hopper (Charles Durning) who wants Kermit to make some advertisements promoting fried frog legs. Kermit must also cope with his amorous feelings for Miss Piggy and hers for him. This appealing children's adventure movie has numerous scenes which do homage to classic films and features a huge cast of Hollywood greats from Edgar Bergen to Orson Welles in cameo roles. A great box-office success this movie paved the way for a number of sequels. One of the film's many songs The Rainbow Connection was nominated for an Oscar.

Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear , from of the large crew of loveably fuzzy characters created by puppetmaster Jim Henson , have embarked on a quest for stardom. They take a trip to Hollywood , riding in or on a wide variety of vehicles along the way. They begin their journey on a bicycle pedalled by Kermit , but friends accumulate along the way , and they change vehicles to accomodate them. They have the additional challenge of fending off the entreaties of the heartless Doc Hopper ( Charles Durning ), who wants Kermit to make some advertisements promoting fried frog legs. Kermit must also cope with his amorous feelings for Miss Piggy , and hers for him. This appealing children's adventure movie has numerous scenes which do homage to classic films , and features a huge cast of Hollywood greats , from Edgar Bergen to Orson Welles , in cameo roles. A great box - office success , this movie paved the way for a number of sequels. One of the film's many songs , The Rainbow Connection , was nominated for an Oscar.

Long resistant to film adaptations of her Mary Poppins books P.L. Travers finally succumbed to the entreaties of Walt Disney and the result is often considered the finest of Disney's personally supervised films. The Travers stories are bundled together to tell the story of the Edwardian-era British Banks family: the banker father (David Tomlinson) suffragette mother (Glynis Johns) and the two "impossible" children (Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber). The kids get the attention of their all-business father by bedevilling every new nanny in the Banks household. Whem Mr. Banks advertises conventionally for another nanny the kids compose their own ad asking for someone with a little kindness and imagination. Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews in her screen debut) answers the children's ad by arriving at the Banks home from the skies parachuting downward with her umbrella. She immediately endears herself to the children. The next day they meet Mary's old chum Bert (Dick Van Dyke) currently employed as a sidewalk artist. Mary Bert and the children hop into one of Bert's chalk drawings and learn the nonsense song "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" in a cartoon countryside. Later they pay a visit to Bert's Uncle Albert (Ed Wynn) who laughs so hard that he floats to the ceiling. Mr. Banks is pleased that his children are behaving better but he's not happy with their fantastic stories. To show the children what the real world is like he takes them to his bank. A series of disasters follow which result in his being fired from his job. Mary Poppins' role in all this leads to some moments when it is possible to fear that all her good work will be undone but like the magical being she is all her "mistakes" lead to a happy result by the end of the film. In 2001 Mary Poppins was rereleased in a special "sing-along" edition with subtitles added to the musical numbers so audiences could join in with the onscreen vocalists.

Long resistant to film adaptations of her Mary Poppins books , P.L. Travers finally succumbed to the entreaties of Walt Disney , and the result is often considered the finest of Disney 's personally supervised films. The Travers stories are bundled together to tell the story of the Edwardian - era British Banks family : the banker father ( David Tomlinson ), suffragette mother ( Glynis Johns ), and the two "impossible" children ( Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber ) . The kids get the attention of their all - business father by bedevilling every new nanny in the Banks household. Whem Mr. Banks advertises conventionally for another nanny , the kids compose their own ad , asking for someone with a little kindness and imagination. Mary Poppins ( Julie Andrews in her screen debut ) answers the children's ad by arriving at the Banks home from the skies , parachuting downward with her umbrella. She immediately endears herself to the children. The next day they meet Mary's old chum Bert ( Dick Van Dyke ), currently employed as a sidewalk artist. Mary , Bert , and the children hop into one of Bert's chalk drawings and learn the nonsense song "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" in a cartoon countryside. Later , they pay a visit to Bert's Uncle Albert ( Ed Wynn ), who laughs so hard that he floats to the ceiling. Mr. Banks is pleased that his children are behaving better , but he's not happy with their fantastic stories. To show the children what the real world is like , he takes them to his bank. A series of disasters follow which result in his being fired from his job. Mary Poppins' role in all this leads to some moments when it is possible to fear that all her good work will be undone , but like the magical being she is , all her "mistakes" lead to a happy result by the end of the film. In 2001 , Mary Poppins was rereleased in a special "sing - along" edition with subtitles added to the musical numbers so audiences could join in with the onscreen vocalists.

This beautifully mounted adaptation of Walter Farley's story for children tells the tale of Alec (Kelly Reno) a young boy touring the world with his adventurous salesman father (Hoyt Axton). While travelling back to the United States by ship Alec discovers a wild beautiful Arabian stallion being brought along in the cargo hold. When disaster strikes at sea the ship sinks and Alec and the stallion are the only survivors. Alone together on a nearby island the boy and the horse develop a relationship; wary of each other at first they learn to trust each other and they become close friends. When a rescue party finally finds Alec he refuses to leave the island without the stallion and the horse goes with Alec to the small town that is his home. Alec's mother (Teri Garr) is at a loss about what to do with this remarkable but difficult animal. Henry Dailey (Mickey Rooney) an elderly horse trainer who lives in the neighborhood senses a special connection between the boy and his horse; he's soon convinced that with the right training and the boy as his jockey the horse could be a champion on the race course. First-time director Carroll Ballard captures the mysterious relationship between humans and animals treating the stallion with the same intelligence and respect as the rest of his cast; he also draws fine understated performances from Kelly Reno and Mickey Rooney and Caleb Deschanel's photography makes this a feast for the eyes. The Black Stallion is that rare contemporary family film that will fascinate adults as much as their kids if not more so.

This beautifully mounted adaptation of Walter Farley's story for children tells the tale of Alec ( Kelly Reno ), a young boy touring the world with his adventurous salesman father ( Hoyt Axton ) . While travelling back to the United States by ship , Alec discovers a wild , beautiful Arabian stallion being brought along in the cargo hold. When disaster strikes at sea , the ship sinks , and Alec and the stallion are the only survivors. Alone together on a nearby island , the boy and the horse develop a relationship ; wary of each other at first , they learn to trust each other , and they become close friends. When a rescue party finally finds Alec , he refuses to leave the island without the stallion , and the horse goes with Alec to the small town that is his home. Alec's mother ( Teri Garr ) is at a loss about what to do with this remarkable but difficult animal. Henry Dailey ( Mickey Rooney ), an elderly horse trainer who lives in the neighborhood , senses a special connection between the boy and his horse ; he's soon convinced that with the right training , and the boy as his jockey , the horse could be a champion on the race course. First - time director Carroll Ballard captures the mysterious relationship between humans and animals , treating the stallion with the same intelligence and respect as the rest of his cast ; he also draws fine , understated performances from Kelly Reno and Mickey Rooney , and Caleb Deschanel 's photography makes this a feast for the eyes. The Black Stallion is that rare contemporary family film that will fascinate adults as much as their kids , if not more so.

eauty and the Beast is widely considered the best animated Disney feature of the studio's 1980s/1990s renewal of the form. Based on the classic French fairy tale it tells the story of Belle (voiced by Paige O'Hara) an intelligent young woman scorned by her townspeople for being a bookworm weary of fighting off the advances of the arrogant Gaston (Richard White) and dreaming of escape. When her father gets lost in the woods and captured by the forbidding Beast (Robby Benson) a once-handsome prince turned into a monster by a witch Belle goes off to rescue him. Taken with her the Beast agrees to release Belle's father if she agrees to stay with him forever. Initially repulsed Belle soon finds much to appreciate in the Beast's hidden tender nature. The Beast's servants -- a clock (David Ogden Stiers) a teapot (Angela Lansbury) and a candlestick (Jerry Orbach) -- see Belle as their salvation: if the Beast and a woman fall in love before his 21st birthday he will be free from the curse. The songs are first-class the tale is told with sincerity but not sentimentality and the characters of Belle and the Beast complex individuals who defy stereotyping and change over the course of the story are more three-dimensional than in most live-action movies. The eye-popping animation is beautifully rendered and Beauty and the Beast certainly deserves its place amongst Disney's animated classics. In 2002 a special 89-minute edition of the film was released in IMAX theaters with the addition of a newly animated song ""Human Again.""

Beauty and the Beast is widely considered the best animated Disney feature of the studio's 1980s / 1990s renewal of the form. Based on the classic French fairy tale , it tells the story of Belle ( voiced by Paige O'Hara ), an intelligent young woman scorned by her townspeople for being a bookworm , weary of fighting off the advances of the arrogant Gaston ( Richard White ), and dreaming of escape. When her father gets lost in the woods and captured by the forbidding Beast ( Robby Benson ), a once - handsome prince turned into a monster by a witch , Belle goes off to rescue him. Taken with her , the Beast agrees to release Belle's father if she agrees to stay with him forever. Initially repulsed , Belle soon finds much to appreciate in the Beast's hidden , tender nature. The Beast's servants -- a clock ( David Ogden Stiers ), a teapot ( Angela Lansbury ), and a candlestick ( Jerry Orbach ) -- see Belle as their salvation : if the Beast and a woman fall in love before his 21st birthday , he will be free from the curse. The songs are first - class , the tale is told with sincerity but not sentimentality , and the characters of Belle and the Beast , complex individuals who defy stereotyping and change over the course of the story , are more three - dimensional than in most live - action movies. The eye - popping animation is beautifully rendered , and Beauty and the Beast certainly deserves its place amongst Disney's animated classics. In 2002 , a special 89 - minute edition of the film was released in IMAX theaters with the addition of a newly animated song , ""Human Again.""

Jean-Jacques Annaud directed this unusual and compelling tale of animals in the wild which tells its tale from the bears' point of view. A pair of carefully-trained bruins deliver remarkably effective "performances" (aided by clever editing and in some sequences the use of realistic animated models). A infant bear cub (Douce the Bear) witnesses the death of his mother in a rockslide and is forced to set out to fend for himself. The young bear encounters a giant grizzly (Bart the Bear) who at first cannot abide the young bear's presence. However the grizzly is soon ambushed by a pair of hunters -- Bill (Jack Wallace) and Tom (Tcheky Karyo) -- after an altercation with their pack animals. As the injured beast cleans his wounds in a stream the young bear comes to his aid and the giant takes the youngster under his wing. However Bill and Tom have sworn revenge on the grizzly and when they capture the young bear it lures the giant back into the hunters' camp. L'Ours released in English-speaking countries as The Bear was based on the novel King Grizzly by James Oliver Curwood.

Jean - Jacques Annaud directed this unusual and compelling tale of animals in the wild , which tells its tale from the bears' point of view. A pair of carefully - trained bruins deliver remarkably effective "performances" ( aided by clever editing and , in some sequences , the use of realistic animated models ) . A infant bear cub ( Douce the Bear ) witnesses the death of his mother in a rockslide and is forced to set out to fend for himself. The young bear encounters a giant grizzly ( Bart the Bear ), who at first cannot abide the young bear's presence. However , the grizzly is soon ambushed by a pair of hunters -- Bill ( Jack Wallace ) and Tom ( Tcheky Karyo ) -- after an altercation with their pack animals. As the injured beast cleans his wounds in a stream , the young bear comes to his aid , and the giant takes the youngster under his wing. However , Bill and Tom have sworn revenge on the grizzly , and when they capture the young bear , it lures the giant back into the hunters' camp. L'Ours , released in English - speaking countries as The Bear , was based on the novel King Grizzly by James Oliver Curwood.

After exploring the worlds of toys and bugs in the two Toy Story films and A Bug's Life the award-winning computer animation company Pixar delves into the realm of monsters with its fourth feature. Hulking blue-furred behemoth James P. "Sully" Sullivan (John Goodman) and his one-eyed assistant Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) are employed by Monsters Inc. a scream processing factory. It seems that the denizens of their realm thrive on the screams of kids spooked by monsters lurking under their beds and in their closets. It's the job of Sully Mike and their co-workers including sarcastic Randall Boggs (Steve Buscemi) crab-like CEO Henry J. Waternoose (James Coburn) and lovely snake-headed receptionist Celia (Jennifer Tilly) to keep the frights flowing. When Sully and Mike are followed back into the monster world by a very unafraid little human girl named Boo (Mary Gibbs) they are exiled to her universe where they discover that such a modern-day mythological specimen as the Abominable Snowman is a fellow refugee.

After exploring the worlds of toys and bugs in the two Toy Story films and A Bug's Life , the award - winning computer animation company Pixar delves into the realm of monsters with its fourth feature. Hulking , blue - furred behemoth James P. "Sully" Sullivan ( John Goodman ) and his one - eyed assistant Mike Wazowski ( Billy Crystal ) are employed by Monsters , Inc. , a scream processing factory. It seems that the denizens of their realm thrive on the screams of kids spooked by monsters lurking under their beds and in their closets. It's the job of Sully , Mike , and their co - workers , including sarcastic Randall Boggs ( Steve Buscemi ), crab - like CEO Henry J. Waternoose ( James Coburn ), and lovely snake - headed receptionist Celia ( Jennifer Tilly ) to keep the frights flowing. When Sully and Mike are followed back into the monster world by a very unafraid little human girl named Boo ( Mary Gibbs ), they are exiled to her universe , where they discover that such a modern - day mythological specimen as the Abominable Snowman is a fellow refugee.

In this reteaming of actor Antonio Banderas and director Robert Rodriguez -- their first film together since the 1995 feature Desperado -- Banderas plays Gregorio; he and devoted partner Ingrid (Carla Gugino) comprise the greatest pair of secret agents working. Both are masters of disguise and have the ability to prevent wars but eventually they want to settle down and begin raising a family. Nine years later after retiring and giving up the lives of super-spies Gregorio and Ingrid find themselves at the call of duty again when techno-genius Fegan Floop (Alan Cumming) and his insidious ruthless sidekick Minion (Tony Shalhoub) have plans for world destruction. The only hope for Gregorio and Ingrid are their children Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Juni (Daryl Sabara) who are called upon to save their missing parents eventually learning their former identities. The film also features Cheech Marin Robert Patrick and Danny Trejo. In the summer of 2001 five months after Spy Kids had become a major box office success an expanded edition was released featuring several minutes of footage not used in the film's original cuts (including special effects sequences that couldn't be completed within the film's original budget).

In this reteaming of actor Antonio Banderas and director Robert Rodriguez -- their first film together since the 1995 feature Desperado -- Banderas plays Gregorio ; he and devoted partner Ingrid ( Carla Gugino ), comprise the greatest pair of secret agents working. Both are masters of disguise and have the ability to prevent wars , but eventually they want to settle down and begin raising a family. Nine years later , after retiring and giving up the lives of super - spies , Gregorio and Ingrid find themselves at the call of duty again when techno - genius Fegan Floop ( Alan Cumming ) and his insidious , ruthless sidekick Minion ( Tony Shalhoub ) have plans for world destruction. The only hope for Gregorio and Ingrid are their children , Carmen ( Alexa Vega ) and Juni ( Daryl Sabara ), who are called upon to save their missing parents , eventually learning their former identities. The film also features Cheech Marin , Robert Patrick , and Danny Trejo . In the summer of 2001 , five months after Spy Kids had become a major box office success , an expanded edition was released , featuring several minutes of footage not used in the film's original cuts ( including special effects sequences that couldn't be completed within the film's original budget ) .

E.B. White's classic children's story is brought to the screen in this fantasy which combines computer-animated characters with a cast of live actors. Mrs. Little (Geena Davis) Mr. Little (Hugh Laurie) and their son George (Jonathan Lipnicki) live in a brownstone near New York's Central Park. The Littles have decided to adopt a younger brother for George and while they're meeting the children at an orphanage they are greeted by a mouse named Stuart (voice of Michael J. Fox) who can talk walk upright wear clothes and do nearly anything a human child can do. The Littles are so taken with Stuart that they decide to adopt him and soon the rest of the family is just as charmed by Stuart -- with the possible exception of Snowbell (voice of Nathan Lane) their house cat. The cast of humans includes Jennifer Tilly Bruno Kirby and Dabney Coleman; animal voices are contributed by Chazz Palminteri and Steve Zahn Jim Doughan and David Alan Grier.

E.B. White 's classic children's story is brought to the screen in this fantasy , which combines computer - animated characters with a cast of live actors. Mrs. Little ( Geena Davis ), Mr. Little ( Hugh Laurie ), and their son George ( Jonathan Lipnicki ) live in a brownstone near New York's Central Park. The Littles have decided to adopt a younger brother for George , and while they're meeting the children at an orphanage , they are greeted by a mouse named Stuart ( voice of Michael J. Fox ), who can talk , walk upright , wear clothes , and do nearly anything a human child can do. The Littles are so taken with Stuart that they decide to adopt him , and soon the rest of the family is just as charmed by Stuart -- with the possible exception of Snowbell ( voice of Nathan Lane ), their house cat. The cast of humans includes Jennifer Tilly , Bruno Kirby , and Dabney Coleman ; animal voices are contributed by Chazz Palminteri and Steve Zahn , Jim Doughan , and David Alan Grier .

A boy's best friend is his robot in this animated adventure from Brad Bird best known for his TV work on such series as The Simpsons King of the Hill and The Critic. Set in 1957 The Iron Giant focuses on Hogarth (voice of Eli Marienthal) an imaginative nine-year-old boy who daydreams of alien invasions and doing battle with Communist agents. One day Hogarth hears a local fisherman talk about something that surpasses anything he could dream up: a fifty-foot robot that fell from the sky into a nearby lake. Needless to say Hogarth's mom Annie (voice of Jennifer Aniston) finds this a little hard to swallow but when Hogarth finds the robot (voice of Vin Diesel) and fishes him out of the water his pal Dean (voice of Harry Connick Jr.) a beatnik sculptor who also runs a junkyard offers to help by hiding the robot with his salvage. A government agent named Kent Mansley (voice of Christopher McDonald) soon gets wind that there's a mechanical invader of unknown origins in the neighborhood and wants to wipe out the potential threat. However the robot (which loves to eat metal and is learning to talk) turns out to be friendly and the boy in turn tries to teach his new pal the ways of humans. The Iron Giant is loosely based on the book The Iron Man by late British poet Ted Hughes previously adapted for the stage by rock musician Pete Townshend who executive produced the film.

A boy's best friend is his robot in this animated adventure from Brad Bird , best known for his TV work on such series as The Simpsons , King of the Hill , and The Critic . Set in 1957 , The Iron Giant focuses on Hogarth ( voice of Eli Marienthal ), an imaginative nine - year - old boy who daydreams of alien invasions and doing battle with Communist agents. One day , Hogarth hears a local fisherman talk about something that surpasses anything he could dream up : a fifty - foot robot that fell from the sky into a nearby lake. Needless to say , Hogarth's mom , Annie ( voice of Jennifer Aniston ) finds this a little hard to swallow , but when Hogarth finds the robot ( voice of Vin Diesel ) and fishes him out of the water , his pal Dean ( voice of Harry Connick Jr. ), a beatnik sculptor who also runs a junkyard , offers to help by hiding the robot with his salvage. A government agent named Kent Mansley ( voice of Christopher McDonald ) soon gets wind that there's a mechanical invader of unknown origins in the neighborhood and wants to wipe out the potential threat. However , the robot ( which loves to eat metal and is learning to talk ) turns out to be friendly , and the boy in turn tries to teach his new pal the ways of humans. The Iron Giant is loosely based on the book The Iron Man by late British poet Ted Hughes , previously adapted for the stage by rock musician Pete Townshend , who executive produced the film.

John Lasseter director of Pixar's movie phenomenon Toy Story has set new standards in computer animation with this effort another Disney-released children's epic entitled A Bug's Life. Blending classic Disney storytelling characters and the mysterious underground world of bugs Lasseter has created a film that can be enjoyed by all audiences and another franchise in the process. A Bug's Life is a computerized retelling of the Aesop fable The Ant and the Grasshopper made as a cartoon-short by the one-and-only Walt Disney in the mid-'30s. However A Bug's Life has modernized the story with many new twists and celebrity voices. The story focuses on a colony of ants who seasonally gather food for themselves and a wild gang of rowdy grasshoppers. When bumbling worker ant Flik (David Foley) destroys the food supply the angry grasshoppers lead by the maniacally warped Hopper (Kevin Spacey) threaten to kill the ants if they don't produce a new supply of food by the time they return -- an impossible feat. Flik leaves the anthill in search of help in the form of bigger bugs and to wage war against the grasshoppers. What he doesn't know is he has actually discovered a group of down-on-their-luck traveling circus insects in need of a job. When the ants realize that their heroes are really circus performers (and the circus bugs realize these grasshoppers are really big and mean) the situation goes from bad to worse. Ultimately the ants use their large numbers to overcome the grasshoppers.

John Lasseter , director of Pixar's movie phenomenon Toy Story , has set new standards in computer animation with this effort , another Disney - released children's epic entitled A Bug's Life . Blending classic Disney storytelling characters and the mysterious underground world of bugs , Lasseter has created a film that can be enjoyed by all audiences , and another franchise in the process. A Bug's Life is a computerized retelling of the Aesop fable The Ant and the Grasshopper , made as a cartoon - short by the one - and - only , Walt Disney , in the mid - '30s. However , A Bug's Life has modernized the story with many new twists and celebrity voices. The story focuses on a colony of ants who seasonally gather food for themselves and a wild gang of rowdy grasshoppers. When bumbling worker ant Flik ( David Foley ) destroys the food supply , the angry grasshoppers , lead by the maniacally warped Hopper ( Kevin Spacey ), threaten to kill the ants if they don't produce a new supply of food by the time they return -- an impossible feat. Flik leaves the anthill in search of help in the form of bigger bugs , and to wage war against the grasshoppers. What he doesn't know is he has actually discovered a group of down - on - their - luck traveling circus insects in need of a job. When the ants realize that their heroes are really circus performers ( and the circus bugs realize these grasshoppers are really big and mean ), the situation goes from bad to worse. Ultimately , the ants use their large numbers to overcome the grasshoppers.

Inspired by a true story Fly Away Home is a family drama about Amy Alden (Anna Paquin) a 13-year-old girl who after the tragic death of her mother is sent to live with her father Thomas (Jeff Daniels) a sculptor. Amy misses her mother and has never enjoyed a very warm relationship with her father so the first few months in her new home are very difficult for her. However one day Amy finds a nest full of eggs which was tossed away by land developers clearing a wooded area. Amy brings the eggs home and builds a makeshift incubator; a few weeks later a flock of tiny Canadian Geese are hatched. While caring for her new pets makes Amy happier a problem soon presents itself -- young geese "imprint" on the first creature they see after hatching and follow it as if it's their mother. Without a mother to show them how to fly south for the winter how will they learn normal migratory patterns? Thomas comes up with a solution to the problem: as a hobby he flies Ultralights lightweight aircraft that look like gliders with engines. If he puts Amy in an Ultralight and has her fly the migratory route to the South perhaps the birds will follow her and learn the route their mother would normally teach them. Amy's adventures help her learn about independence as she tries to teach it to the birds bringing her closer to her father.

Inspired by a true story , Fly Away Home is a family drama about Amy Alden ( Anna Paquin ), a 13 - year - old girl who , after the tragic death of her mother , is sent to live with her father Thomas ( Jeff Daniels ), a sculptor. Amy misses her mother and has never enjoyed a very warm relationship with her father , so the first few months in her new home are very difficult for her. However , one day Amy finds a nest full of eggs , which was tossed away by land developers clearing a wooded area. Amy brings the eggs home and builds a makeshift incubator ; a few weeks later , a flock of tiny Canadian Geese are hatched. While caring for her new pets makes Amy happier , a problem soon presents itself -- young geese "imprint" on the first creature they see after hatching and follow it , as if it's their mother. Without a mother to show them how to fly south for the winter , how will they learn normal migratory patterns? Thomas comes up with a solution to the problem : as a hobby , he flies Ultralights , lightweight aircraft that look like gliders with engines. If he puts Amy in an Ultralight and has her fly the migratory route to the South , perhaps the birds will follow her and learn the route their mother would normally teach them. Amy's adventures help her learn about independence as she tries to teach it to the birds , bringing her closer to her father.

Iranian filmmaker Jafar Pinahi's debut feature The White Balloon tells the story of Razieh (Aida Mohammadkhani) a seven-year-old girl intent on buying a new goldfish in time for Tehran's annual New Year's Day festivities (in Iranian culture the goldfish is a symbol of life). Upon badgering her mother into giving her a 500-toman banknote Razieh heads off to the marketplace alone; it is her first real experience away from her parents' watchful eyes and the excitement and wonder she feels is palpable. Told in real time the film's sensitive portrayal of Razieh's wide-eyed misadventures superbly conveys the impact which an otherwise unremarkable chain of events can indelibly leave upon the life of a child. Her struggle to prove her independence is dramatically undercut when she loses the banknote not once but twice but her spirit and ingenuity nevertheless remain indefatigable.

Iranian filmmaker Jafar Pinahi's debut feature The White Balloon tells the story of Razieh ( Aida Mohammadkhani ), a seven - year - old girl intent on buying a new goldfish in time for Tehran's annual New Year's Day festivities ( in Iranian culture , the goldfish is a symbol of life ) . Upon badgering her mother into giving her a 500 - toman banknote , Razieh heads off to the marketplace alone ; it is her first real experience away from her parents' watchful eyes , and the excitement and wonder she feels is palpable. Told in real time , the film's sensitive portrayal of Razieh's wide - eyed misadventures superbly conveys the impact which an otherwise unremarkable chain of events can indelibly leave upon the life of a child. Her struggle to prove her independence is dramatically undercut when she loses the banknote not once but twice , but her spirit and ingenuity nevertheless remain indefatigable.

A privileged free-spirited young girl tries to adapt to life in a strict boarding school in this charming critically acclaimed children's fantasy. Adapting a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett also the author of The Secret Garden the film shifts the story's setting to World War I. 10 year-old Sara Crewe (Liesel Matthews) has been left in a respected New York City boarding school while her British father heads overseas to fight. Filled with wild stories and a playful attitude the unconventional Sara becomes popular amongst her classmates but quickly comes into conflict with the harsh headmistress Miss Minchin (Eleanor Bron) who attempts to quash the child's individuality. The young girl's situation takes a serious turn for the worse when she unexpectedly receives word of her father's death and suddenly impoverished is forced into life as a servant. Treated as a lesser class of person by her former companions Sara instead befriends her fellow servants and turns to the power of imagination in order to maintain hope for the future. In addition to changing the story's setting screenwriters Richard LaGravenese and Elizabeth Chandler add a layer of Indian mythology to the tale allowing director Alfonso Cuaron the chance to punctuate the riches-to-rags fable with a series of lush imaginative fantasy sequences. Though A Little Princess had difficulty attracting audiences during its initial run its visual splendor and touching storytelling were praised by many critics several of whom proclaimed the film one of the best family-oriented productions of its time.

A privileged , free - spirited young girl tries to adapt to life in a strict boarding school in this charming , critically acclaimed children's fantasy. Adapting a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett , also the author of The Secret Garden , the film shifts the story's setting to World War I. 10 year - old Sara Crewe ( Liesel Matthews ) has been left in a respected New York City boarding school while her British father heads overseas to fight. Filled with wild stories and a playful attitude , the unconventional Sara becomes popular amongst her classmates but quickly comes into conflict with the harsh headmistress , Miss Minchin ( Eleanor Bron ), who attempts to quash the child's individuality. The young girl's situation takes a serious turn for the worse when she unexpectedly receives word of her father's death , and , suddenly impoverished , is forced into life as a servant. Treated as a lesser class of person by her former companions , Sara instead befriends her fellow servants and turns to the power of imagination in order to maintain hope for the future. In addition to changing the story's setting , screenwriters Richard LaGravenese and Elizabeth Chandler add a layer of Indian mythology to the tale , allowing director Alfonso Cuaron the chance to punctuate the riches - to - rags fable with a series of lush , imaginative fantasy sequences. Though A Little Princess had difficulty attracting audiences during its initial run , its visual splendor and touching storytelling were praised by many critics , several of whom proclaimed the film one of the best family - oriented productions of its time.

The Swan Princess is an animated musical adaption of the fairy tale "Swan Lake." An aging king (Dakin Matthews) and a widowed queen (Sandy Duncan) arrange a marriage between his only daughter and her only son despite the two children's initial dislike of one another. Eventually they fall in love but the evil sorcerer Rothbart (Jack Palance) desiring the throne for himself enchants the princess Odette (Michelle Nicastro). She is a swan by day and becomes a woman only when the moon rises. Prince Derek (Howard McGillin) refuses to accept another bride and continues to search for his lost love. When he finds her Derek must fight the sorcerer to free her from the spell. Winner of the Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence and the Parent's Choice Award this adventure exhibits high quality animation and a blend of romantic and humorous musical numbers. The animal characters are fun without being too cute including Jean-Bob the frog who thinks he is a prince given voice by John Cleese. The subtle layering of spiritual symbolism makes this film intelligent enough for adults to enjoy as well as children.

The Swan Princess is an animated , musical adaption of the fairy tale , "Swan Lake." An aging king ( Dakin Matthews ) and a widowed queen ( Sandy Duncan ) arrange a marriage between his only daughter and her only son , despite the two children's initial dislike of one another. Eventually they fall in love , but the evil sorcerer Rothbart ( Jack Palance ), desiring the throne for himself , enchants the princess Odette ( Michelle Nicastro ) . She is a swan by day , and becomes a woman only when the moon rises. Prince Derek ( Howard McGillin ) refuses to accept another bride and continues to search for his lost love. When he finds her , Derek must fight the sorcerer to free her from the spell. Winner of the Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence and the Parent's Choice Award , this adventure exhibits high quality animation and a blend of romantic and humorous musical numbers. The animal characters are fun without being too cute , including Jean - Bob the frog who thinks he is a prince , given voice by John Cleese . The subtle layering of spiritual symbolism makes this film intelligent enough for adults to enjoy as well as children.

The magic of folklore forms the basis of this Irish tale by writer-director John Sayles. Adapted from the book Secret of the Ron Mor Skerry the 1940s story is told from the point-of-view of Fiona (Jeni Courtney) a young girl sent to live with her grandparents in an Irish fishing town. Her grandfather weaves grand stories about the family's evacuation from their home on the tiny island of Roan Inish and about his great-great grandfather who once cheated death at the hands of the unforgiving sea. As she meets other villagers Fiona hears even more personal stories about an uncle who married a beautiful part-human/ part-seal and about how the sea stole her baby brother during the departure from Roan Inish. Later Fiona believes that she has found Jamie romping in the grass on Roan Inish and she must convince the family of her vision. While Roan Inish has the feel of a family film it shares with other Sayles works a character who learns history through storytelling such as Sam Deeds in Lone Star (1996) and Dr. Fuentes in Men with Guns (1997). Sayles builds cohesive stories from multiple voices showing the importance of oral history and indicating that learning the past can alter the future.

The magic of folklore forms the basis of this Irish tale by writer - director John Sayles . Adapted from the book Secret of the Ron Mor Skerry , the 1940s story is told from the point - of - view of Fiona ( Jeni Courtney ), a young girl sent to live with her grandparents in an Irish fishing town. Her grandfather weaves grand stories about the family's evacuation from their home on the tiny island of Roan Inish and about his great - great grandfather , who once cheated death at the hands of the unforgiving sea. As she meets other villagers , Fiona hears even more personal stories about an uncle who married a beautiful , part - human / part - seal and about how the sea stole her baby brother during the departure from Roan Inish. Later , Fiona believes that she has found Jamie romping in the grass on Roan Inish , and she must convince the family of her vision. While Roan Inish has the feel of a family film , it shares with other Sayles works a character who learns history through storytelling , such as Sam Deeds in Lone Star ( 1996 ) and Dr. Fuentes in Men with Guns ( 1997 ) . Sayles builds cohesive stories from multiple voices , showing the importance of oral history and indicating that learning the past can alter the future.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is an hour-long compendium of the three Disney "Winnie" animated short subjects produced between 1966 and 1974. Sterling Holloway provides the voice of A.A. Milne's whimsical pooh-bear in all three cartoons the first two of which are directed by Wolfgang Reithermann and the last by John Lounsbery. The program consists of Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree (1966) Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day (1968 which won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Subject) and Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too! (1974). The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh was originally prepared in 1977 for theatrical release and has since been available primarily in home-video form.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is an hour - long compendium of the three Disney "Winnie" animated short subjects produced between 1966 and 1974. Sterling Holloway provides the voice of A.A. Milne 's whimsical pooh - bear in all three cartoons , the first two of which are directed by Wolfgang Reithermann and the last by John Lounsbery . The program consists of Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree ( 1966 ), Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day ( 1968 , which won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Subject ), and Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too! ( 1974 ) . The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh was originally prepared in 1977 for theatrical release , and has since been available primarily in home - video form.

Mary Martin originally starred in the Jules Styne/Carolyn Leigh/Comden & Green musical version of James M. Barrie's Peter Pan on Broadway in 1953. On March 7 1955 Peter Pan was restaged for television live and in color on NBC's Producer's Showcase. The telecast was so popular that it was repeated again live the following year. Blessedly Mary Martin returned to commit Peter Pan to videotape in 1960; this version was first telecast on December 8 of that year. Forty-seven years old at the time Martin is utterly enchanting as Peter Pan the little boy who won't grow up and who whisks Wendy Darling (Maureen Bailey) and her brothers Michael (Kent Fletcher) and John (Joey Trent) out of their London nursery and off to Never Never Land: "First star to the left then straight on till morning." Song highlights include "I've Gotta Crow" "I'm Flying" "I Won't Grow Up" "Neverland" "Ugg-a-Wugg" and "Hook's Waltz." As with the Broadway version the staging and choreography was in the more than capable hands of Jerome Robbins. Cyril Ritchard shamelessly hams it up as the wicked Captain Hook and also doubles as the more benign Mr. Darling. Both Martin and Ritchard re-created their Broadway roles as did Sondra Lee as the incongruously blonde Indian princess Tiger Lily. Martin's daughter Heller Halliday also appears in the minor role of Liza the maid while the whole wonderful package is narrated by Lynn Fontanne. Repeated several times into the 1970s this full-color version of Peter Pan was put into mothballs for several years then retelecast (complete with the old NBC Peacock logo) in 1989. For this return engagement the play was edited to accommodate extra commercials; happily the complete version of the 1960 Peter Pan is now available on videocassette.

Mary Martin originally starred in the Jules Styne / Carolyn Leigh / Comden & Green musical version of James M. Barrie 's Peter Pan on Broadway in 1953. On March 7 , 1955 , Peter Pan was restaged for television , live and in color , on NBC's Producer's Showcase . The telecast was so popular that it was repeated , again live , the following year. Blessedly , Mary Martin returned to commit Peter Pan to videotape in 1960 ; this version was first telecast on December 8 of that year. Forty - seven years old at the time , Martin is utterly enchanting as Peter Pan , the little boy who won't grow up and who whisks Wendy Darling ( Maureen Bailey ) and her brothers Michael ( Kent Fletcher ) and John ( Joey Trent ) out of their London nursery and off to Never Never Land : "First star to the left , then straight on till morning." Song highlights include "I've Gotta Crow , " "I'm Flying , " "I Won't Grow Up , " "Neverland , " "Ugg - a - Wugg" and "Hook's Waltz." As with the Broadway version , the staging and choreography was in the more than capable hands of Jerome Robbins . Cyril Ritchard shamelessly hams it up as the wicked Captain Hook , and also doubles as the more benign Mr. Darling. Both Martin and Ritchard re - created their Broadway roles , as did Sondra Lee as the incongruously blonde Indian princess Tiger Lily. Martin's daughter Heller Halliday also appears in the minor role of Liza the maid , while the whole wonderful package is narrated by Lynn Fontanne . Repeated several times into the 1970s , this full - color version of Peter Pan was put into mothballs for several years , then retelecast ( complete with the old NBC Peacock logo ) in 1989. For this return engagement , the play was edited to accommodate extra commercials ; happily , the complete version of the 1960 Peter Pan is now available on videocassette.

Producer/animator/special-effect maven George Pal made his feature-film directorial bow with the colorful MGM musical fantasy Tom Thumb (the title of the film was spelled in lower case in the opening credits and in all studio publicity material). Russ Tamblyn stars as the teeny-tiny titular protagonist while veteran musicomedy favorite Jessie Mathews and stellar character actor Bernard Miles portray Tom's normal-sized parents. Journeying to the Village Tom is pounced upon by villains Ivan (Terry-Thomas) and Tony (a corpulent Peter Sellers) who intend to exploit our 5 1/2-inch-tall hero. In-between his misadventures with the villains Tom helps to expedite the romance between young forester Woody (Alan Young) and the magical Forest Queen (June Thorburn). Throughout the special effects and oversized sets are first-rate as are the "puppetoons" sequences featuring such delightful characters as The Yawning Man (voice by Stan Freberg). Written by several hands the film's songs are hummable if not particularly memorable. It is said that some children in the audience in 1958 were genuinely frightened by the more horrific aspects of the story (including the threatened execution of Tom's parents); it may be however that the adults were more scared than the kids. Incidentally while most of Tom Thumb was filmed in MGM's London facilities the special effects were produced in Hollywood requiring Russ Tamblyn to do a lot of travelling.

Producer / animator / special - effect maven George Pal made his feature - film directorial bow with the colorful MGM musical fantasy Tom Thumb ( the title of the film was spelled in lower case in the opening credits , and in all studio publicity material ) . Russ Tamblyn stars as the teeny - tiny titular protagonist , while veteran musicomedy favorite Jessie Mathews and stellar character actor Bernard Miles portray Tom's normal - sized parents. Journeying to the Village , Tom is pounced upon by villains Ivan ( Terry - Thomas ) and Tony ( a corpulent Peter Sellers ), who intend to exploit our 5 1 / 2 - inch - tall hero. In - between his misadventures with the villains , Tom helps to expedite the romance between young forester Woody ( Alan Young ) and the magical Forest Queen ( June Thorburn ) . Throughout , the special effects and oversized sets are first - rate , as are the "puppetoons" sequences featuring such delightful characters as The Yawning Man ( voice by Stan Freberg ) . Written by several hands , the film's songs are hummable , if not particularly memorable. It is said that some children in the audience in 1958 were genuinely frightened by the more horrific aspects of the story ( including the threatened execution of Tom's parents ); it may be , however , that the adults were more scared than the kids. Incidentally , while most of Tom Thumb was filmed in MGM's London facilities , the special effects were produced in Hollywood , requiring Russ Tamblyn to do a lot of travelling.

Disney produced this lavish animated fairy tale the most expensive cartoon ever made up to its release with a budget of $6 million. When the young princess Aurora is cursed at birth by the evil fairy Maleficent the baby is kidnapped by a trio of good fairies who raise the girl themselves hoping to avoid the spell's fulfillment. Nevertheless at the age of 16 the beautiful Aurora falls into a deep sleep that can only be awakened by a kiss from her betrothed Prince Phillip. Knowing that Phillip intends to save Aurora Maleficent takes him prisoner. When the good fairies launch a rescue attempt Maleficent transforms herself into a spectacular fire-breathing dragon forcing Phillip to defeat her in mortal combat. Sleeping Beauty (1959) was Oscar nominated for its musical score which featured adaptations of Tchaikovsky compositions.

Disney produced this lavish animated fairy tale , the most expensive cartoon ever made up to its release with a budget of $6 million. When the young princess Aurora is cursed at birth by the evil fairy Maleficent , the baby is kidnapped by a trio of good fairies who raise the girl themselves , hoping to avoid the spell's fulfillment. Nevertheless , at the age of 16 , the beautiful Aurora falls into a deep sleep that can only be awakened by a kiss from her betrothed , Prince Phillip. Knowing that Phillip intends to save Aurora , Maleficent takes him prisoner. When the good fairies launch a rescue attempt , Maleficent transforms herself into a spectacular fire - breathing dragon , forcing Phillip to defeat her in mortal combat. Sleeping Beauty ( 1959 ) was Oscar nominated for its musical score , which featured adaptations of Tchaikovsky compositions.

Frustrated with the Walt Disney studio's reluctance to produce full-length animated films Don Bluth and a number of animators left the studio in the early '80s with the intent of creating movies in the style of Disney's classics. The Secret of NIMH is the first film Bluth produced after leaving the studio. Adapted from Robert C. O'Brien's acclaimed children's book Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of N.I.M.H. the film is about a widowed mouse whose home is threatened; also one of her children is gravely ill. On her way to find help she discovers NIMH a secret society of highly-intelligent rats who have escaped from a nearby science lab. The rats help the widow to protect her family and home.

Frustrated with the Walt Disney studio's reluctance to produce full - length animated films , Don Bluth and a number of animators left the studio in the early '80s with the intent of creating movies in the style of Disney's classics. The Secret of NIMH is the first film Bluth produced after leaving the studio. Adapted from Robert C. O'Brien's acclaimed children's book Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of N.I.M.H. , the film is about a widowed mouse whose home is threatened ; also , one of her children is gravely ill. On her way to find help , she discovers NIMH , a secret society of highly - intelligent rats who have escaped from a nearby science lab. The rats help the widow to protect her family and home.

Co-written by Paul Reubens and Phil Hartman Pee Wee's Big Adventure marks the debut of director Tim Burton who stamps the entire film with his quirky trademark style. The premise: Pee Wee (Reubens) an overgrown pre-pubescent boy sporting a molded Princeton cut blush lipstick and a shrunken gray flannel suit lives an idyllic life in his bizarre home (some have compared the remarkable set design to the expressionistic The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari) until someone nabs his most prized possession: a fire engine-red customized bicycle. He then embarks on an epic cross-country search to find his lost love not to mention more than a little adventure. Along the way he makes friends with various oddball characters visits the Alamo endures various hallucinatory nightmares and has a supernatural run-in with a spectral trucker. In this reprisal of his popular standup routine Reubens is wonderful as the nerdy man child; he plays it silly yet he manages to imbue the role with some sensitivity without ever seeming maudlin. The score by Danny Elfman is terrific -- as is the case in nearly every film Burton has directed -- and the script is fresh and inventive. Some of the most memorable moments: the opening sequence involving Pee Wee's morning activities is a stroke of genius (note the bunny slippers and talking breakfast) as are the scenes at the truck stop and the "Hollywood" version of Pee Wee's story at the end (starring James Brolin and Morgan Fairchild in surprise cameos). In all Pee Wee's Big Adventure is a delightful film enjoyable for children as well as adults.

Co - written by Paul Reubens and Phil Hartman , Pee Wee's Big Adventure marks the debut of director Tim Burton , who stamps the entire film with his quirky trademark style. The premise : Pee Wee ( Reubens ), an overgrown pre - pubescent boy sporting a molded Princeton cut , blush , lipstick , and a shrunken gray flannel suit , lives an idyllic life in his bizarre home ( some have compared the remarkable set design to the expressionistic The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari ) until someone nabs his most prized possession : a fire engine - red customized bicycle. He then embarks on an epic cross - country search to find his lost love , not to mention more than a little adventure. Along the way , he makes friends with various oddball characters , visits the Alamo , endures various hallucinatory nightmares , and has a supernatural run - in with a spectral trucker. In this reprisal of his popular standup routine , Reubens is wonderful as the nerdy man child ; he plays it silly , yet he manages to imbue the role with some sensitivity without ever seeming maudlin. The score by Danny Elfman is terrific -- as is the case in nearly every film Burton has directed -- and the script is fresh and inventive. Some of the most memorable moments : the opening sequence involving Pee Wee's morning activities is a stroke of genius ( note the bunny slippers and talking breakfast ), as are the scenes at the truck stop , and the "Hollywood" version of Pee Wee's story at the end ( starring James Brolin and Morgan Fairchild in surprise cameos ) . In all , Pee Wee's Big Adventure is a delightful film , enjoyable for children as well as adults.

Wolfgang Petersen adapted Michael Ende's children's story for this charming fantasy film that spawned several sequels. Bastian (Barret Oliver) is dealing with his mother's recent death. His father (Gerald McRaney) is an imperious sort who continually lambastes Bastian for daydreaming and falling behind in school. On top of his father's badgering he has to contend with a bunch of school bullies waiting for him in the schoolyard. One day he decides to play hooky and walks into a strange bookstore where in the attic he discovers a book called "The Neverending Story". As Bastian reads the book he's enveloped in the unfolding tale. A sickly child-like empress (Tami Stronach) from a land called Fantasia is concerned about who will take over the land if she dies. She decides it is best for Fantasia if she remains alive so she dispatches a young warrior named Atreju (Noah Hathaway) to find a cure for the empress's malady. It turns out the land is consumed with a plague called The Nothing generated by blighted dreams and hopeless fantasies. As Atreju continues onward to search for a cure for The Nothing he encounters an assortment of strange creatures. Bastian is so consumed with the tale that he finds himself catapulted into the land of Fantasia himself. Atreju realizes that the only way to save the land from its blight is with the help of this strange earth boy Bastian.

Wolfgang Petersen adapted Michael Ende's children's story for this charming fantasy film that spawned several sequels. Bastian ( Barret Oliver ) is dealing with his mother's recent death. His father ( Gerald McRaney ) is an imperious sort who continually lambastes Bastian for daydreaming and falling behind in school. On top of his father's badgering , he has to contend with a bunch of school bullies waiting for him in the schoolyard. One day he decides to play hooky and walks into a strange bookstore , where in the attic , he discovers a book called "The Neverending Story". As Bastian reads the book , he's enveloped in the unfolding tale. A sickly child - like empress ( Tami Stronach ) from a land called Fantasia is concerned about who will take over the land if she dies. She decides it is best for Fantasia if she remains alive , so she dispatches a young warrior named Atreju ( Noah Hathaway ) to find a cure for the empress's malady. It turns out the land is consumed with a plague called The Nothing , generated by blighted dreams and hopeless fantasies. As Atreju continues onward to search for a cure for The Nothing , he encounters an assortment of strange creatures. Bastian is so consumed with the tale that he finds himself catapulted into the land of Fantasia himself. Atreju realizes that the only way to save the land from its blight is with the help of this strange earth boy , Bastian.

Jim Henson's Muppets find themselves in Manhattan yearning to get a musical on Broadway in this charming film that also chides show business and its foibles. Kermit the Frog has just put together a successful variety show at Danhurst college (probably somewhere between Amherst and Dartmouth) and although he would like to mount it on Broadway so he would have a hit and be able to marry Miss Piggy he cannot find backers. The Muppets are then forced to take jobs to support themselves and it is while working as a waiter that Kermit meets the friendly Jennie (Juliana Donald). Jennie is the daughter of the owner of the restaurant and a source of great jealousy for Miss Piggy who does not like competition. With stunning musical numbers involving a hundred or so Muppets and on-scene locations in New York City the film is impressive in its merging of technical achievements and acting.

Jim Henson 's Muppets find themselves in Manhattan yearning to get a musical on Broadway in this charming film that also chides show business and its foibles. Kermit the Frog has just put together a successful variety show at Danhurst college ( probably somewhere between Amherst and Dartmouth ), and although he would like to mount it on Broadway so he would have a hit and be able to marry Miss Piggy , he cannot find backers. The Muppets are then forced to take jobs to support themselves , and it is while working as a waiter that Kermit meets the friendly Jennie ( Juliana Donald ) . Jennie is the daughter of the owner of the restaurant and a source of great jealousy for Miss Piggy , who does not like competition. With stunning musical numbers involving a hundred or so Muppets and on - scene locations in New York City , the film is impressive in its merging of technical achievements and acting.

Animation producer Don Bluth's fondness for overly cutesy characters and muddy color compositions work to the benefit of his feature-length cartoon The Land Before Time. Littlefoot a brontosaurus child must fend for himself when his mother is killed (shades of Bambi). With several other orphaned dinosaurs Littlefoot seeks out the fabled Great Valley where food and shelter is plentiful. Along the way the kiddie dinos learn several vital (and politically correct) life lessons all the while keeping themselves scarce whenever the fierce tyrannosauri gallumph into view. The cuteness of the characters (emphasized by the voice work) takes some of the harsh edges off the story which makes the film eminently suitable for younger children; and the smeary color design is ideal for the time-frame of the film which is set in the turbulent nature-run-rampant period just before the dinosaurs died out. Apparently they didn't all die inasmuch as a Land Before Time sequel was released on video in 1994. The earlier film inspired a 1988 Saturday morning cartoon series produced by Ruby-Spears Dink: The Little Dinosaur.

Animation producer Don Bluth 's fondness for overly cutesy characters and muddy color compositions work to the benefit of his feature - length cartoon The Land Before Time . Littlefoot , a brontosaurus child , must fend for himself when his mother is killed ( shades of Bambi ) . With several other orphaned dinosaurs , Littlefoot seeks out the fabled Great Valley , where food and shelter is plentiful. Along the way , the kiddie dinos learn several vital ( and politically correct ) life lessons , all the while keeping themselves scarce whenever the fierce tyrannosauri gallumph into view. The cuteness of the characters ( emphasized by the voice work ) takes some of the harsh edges off the story , which makes the film eminently suitable for younger children ; and the smeary color design is ideal for the time - frame of the film , which is set in the turbulent , nature - run - rampant period just before the dinosaurs died out. Apparently they didn't all die , inasmuch as a Land Before Time sequel was released on video in 1994. The earlier film inspired a 1988 Saturday morning cartoon series produced by Ruby - Spears , Dink : The Little Dinosaur .

Newly arrived in California from New Jersey teenager Daniel (Ralph Macchio) almost immediately runs afoul of karate-trained high school bullies. He is rescued by Japanese janitor Miyagi (Noriyuki \"Pat\" Morita) who agrees to teach Daniel how to harness karate for good instead of brutality. The film culminates in a championship karate bout pitting Daniel against his sworn enemy Johnny (William Zabka) -- the cruel and thuggish boyfriend of Ali (Elisabeth Shue) with whom Daniel has fallen in love (and vice versa). Real-life karate champ Chuck Norris was offered the role of Kreese the sadistic coach who goads Johnny into fighting dirty but Norris turned down the role refusing to be shown utilizing his skills negatively onscreen. Vastly popular The Karate Kid spawned three sequels of rapidly descending merit as well as a Saturday-morning cartoon series.

Newly arrived in California from New Jersey , teenager Daniel ( Ralph Macchio ) almost immediately runs afoul of karate - trained high school bullies. He is rescued by Japanese janitor Miyagi ( Noriyuki \ "Pat \ " Morita ), who agrees to teach Daniel how to harness karate for good instead of brutality. The film culminates in a championship karate bout , pitting Daniel against his sworn enemy Johnny ( William Zabka ) -- the cruel and thuggish boyfriend of Ali ( Elisabeth Shue ), with whom Daniel has fallen in love ( and vice versa ) . Real - life karate champ Chuck Norris was offered the role of Kreese , the sadistic coach who goads Johnny into fighting dirty , but Norris turned down the role , refusing to be shown utilizing his skills negatively onscreen. Vastly popular , The Karate Kid spawned three sequels of rapidly descending merit , as well as a Saturday - morning cartoon series.

Disney's The Journey of Natty Gann stars Meredith Salenger in the title role. During the Depression Natty's father (Ray Wise) takes a job in a Northwestern lumber camp leaving his daughter behind in Chicago with the promise that he'll send for her when he's put together enough money. Unwilling to wait that long Natty runs away from her guardian (Lainie Kazan) and hops a freight bound for her dad's camp. In addition to the human friends she accrues along the way including vagabond John Cusack and tough-but-nice juvenile delinquent Barry Miller Natty is protected on her journey by a friendly wolf (actually a dog but you try training a wolf). Journey of Natty Gann stretches its "PG" rating as far as possible but it's still safe and sane entertainment for the younger crowd.

Disney's The Journey of Natty Gann stars Meredith Salenger in the title role. During the Depression , Natty's father ( Ray Wise ) takes a job in a Northwestern lumber camp , leaving his daughter behind in Chicago with the promise that he'll send for her when he's put together enough money. Unwilling to wait that long , Natty runs away from her guardian ( Lainie Kazan ) and hops a freight bound for her dad's camp. In addition to the human friends she accrues along the way , including vagabond John Cusack and tough - but - nice juvenile delinquent Barry Miller , Natty is protected on her journey by a friendly wolf ( actually a dog , but you try training a wolf ) . Journey of Natty Gann stretches its "PG" rating as far as possible , but it's still safe and sane entertainment for the younger crowd.

Charles Dickens' classic holiday tale of one man learning the true meaning of Christmas is brought to the screen once again in this made-for-TV movie. Ebenezer Scrooge (George C. Scott) is a cynical old man whose greatest concern is money and who regards compassion as a luxury he can't afford. On Christmas Eve Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley (Frank Finlay) his former business partner who arranges for Scrooge to be visited by three spirits in an attempt to show him the error of his ways -- the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Angela Pleasence) Christmas Present (Edward Woodward) and Christmas Yet to Come (Michael Carter). The spirits force Scrooge to examine the failings of his own life as well as the bravery and optimism of his loyal but ill-treated employee Bob Crachit (David Warner). A Christmas Carol also features Susannah York as Mrs. Crachit Anthony Walters as Tiny Tim and Joanne Whalley as Fan.

Charles Dickens ' classic holiday tale of one man learning the true meaning of Christmas is brought to the screen once again in this made - for - TV movie. Ebenezer Scrooge ( George C. Scott ) is a cynical old man whose greatest concern is money , and who regards compassion as a luxury he can't afford. On Christmas Eve , Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley ( Frank Finlay ), his former business partner , who arranges for Scrooge to be visited by three spirits in an attempt to show him the error of his ways -- the Ghosts of Christmas Past ( Angela Pleasence ), Christmas Present ( Edward Woodward ), and Christmas Yet to Come ( Michael Carter ) . The spirits force Scrooge to examine the failings of his own life , as well as the bravery and optimism of his loyal but ill - treated employee Bob Crachit ( David Warner ) . A Christmas Carol also features Susannah York as Mrs. Crachit , Anthony Walters as Tiny Tim , and Joanne Whalley as Fan.

orn Free is the heartwarming true story of a British couple who teach their pet lioness how to survive in the wilds of the African jungles. Joy and George Adamson (portrayed by real-life married couple Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers) involuntarily domesticate several lions while living in Kenya. They keep one named Elsa until she is fully grown and rather than turn her over to a zoo they decide to train her to live like a wild animal so that they can release her into her natural habitat. Geoffrey Keen is a sympathetic government official who convinces the Adamsons that they should set Elsa free to avoid being ordered to place her in captivity. The film based on Joy Adamson's book is poignant and emotional without ever becoming banal or overly sentimental. The title song and film score both won Academy Awards.

Born Free is the heartwarming true story of a British couple who teach their pet lioness how to survive in the wilds of the African jungles. Joy and George Adamson ( portrayed by real - life married couple Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers ) involuntarily domesticate several lions while living in Kenya. They keep one , named Elsa , until she is fully grown , and rather than turn her over to a zoo , they decide to train her to live like a wild animal so that they can release her into her natural habitat. Geoffrey Keen is a sympathetic government official who convinces the Adamsons that they should set Elsa free to avoid being ordered to place her in captivity. The film , based on Joy Adamson 's book , is poignant and emotional without ever becoming banal or overly sentimental. The title song and film score both won Academy Awards.

An American Tail is a beautifully rendered animated flim that tells an overly familiar story in terms children can easily understand. Fievel Mousekewitz and his family of Russian-Jewish mice escape from their homeland in the late 1800s boarding a boat headed toward America to evade the Czarist rule of the Russian cats. Fievel however is separated from his family upon his arrival in New York City and he discovers to his horror that there are cats in America too (his father said there weren't). Fievel meets his share of friendly and hostile mice and he eventually befriends a cat as well. Former Disney animator Don Bluth co-produced and directed this often heartwarming yarn the first animated feature presented by Steven Spielberg and it has its charms despite a number of cliché situations.

An American Tail is a beautifully rendered animated flim that tells an overly familiar story in terms children can easily understand. Fievel Mousekewitz and his family of Russian - Jewish mice escape from their homeland in the late 1800s , boarding a boat headed toward America to evade the Czarist rule of the Russian cats. Fievel , however , is separated from his family upon his arrival in New York City , and he discovers to his horror that there are cats in America too ( his father said there weren't ) . Fievel meets his share of friendly and hostile mice , and he eventually befriends a cat as well. Former Disney animator Don Bluth co - produced and directed this often heartwarming yarn , the first animated feature presented by Steven Spielberg , and it has its charms despite a number of cliché situations.

This Disney feature-length cartoon combines the most entertaining elements of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Chasing after the White Rabbit who runs into view singing "I'm Late! I'm Late!" Alice falls down the rabbit hole into the topsy-turvy alternate world of Wonderland. She grows and shrinks after following the instructions of a haughty caterpillar attends a "Very Merry Unbirthday" party in the garden of the Mad Hatter and the March Hare stands in awe as the Cheshire Cat spouts philosophy listens in rapt attention as Tweedledum and Tweedledee relate the story of the Walrus and the Carpenter (a sequence usually cut when Alice is shown on TV) and closes out her day with a hectic croquet game at the home of the Red Queen. The music and production design of Alice in Wonderland is marvelous but the film is too much of a good thing much too frantic to do full honor to the whimsical Carroll original and far too episodic to hang together as a unified feature film. One tactical error is having Alice weep at mid-point declaring her wish to go home: This is Alice in Wonderland Walt not Wizard of Oz! Its storytelling shortcomings aside Alice in Wonderland is superior family entertainment (never mind the efforts in the 1970s to palm off the picture as a psychedelic "head" film).

This Disney feature - length cartoon combines the most entertaining elements of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Chasing after the White Rabbit , who runs into view singing "I'm Late! I'm Late! , " Alice falls down the rabbit hole into the topsy - turvy alternate world of Wonderland. She grows and shrinks after following the instructions of a haughty caterpillar , attends a "Very Merry Unbirthday" party in the garden of the Mad Hatter and the March Hare , stands in awe as the Cheshire Cat spouts philosophy , listens in rapt attention as Tweedledum and Tweedledee relate the story of the Walrus and the Carpenter ( a sequence usually cut when Alice is shown on TV ), and closes out her day with a hectic croquet game at the home of the Red Queen. The music and production design of Alice in Wonderland is marvelous , but the film is too much of a good thing , much too frantic to do full honor to the whimsical Carroll original , and far too episodic to hang together as a unified feature film. One tactical error is having Alice weep at mid - point , declaring her wish to go home : This is Alice in Wonderland , Walt , not Wizard of Oz ! Its storytelling shortcomings aside , Alice in Wonderland is superior family entertainment ( never mind the efforts in the 1970s to palm off the picture as a psychedelic "head" film ) .

Robin Williams's dizzying and hilarious voicing of the Genie is the main attraction of Aladdin the third in the series of modern Disney animated movies that began with 1989's The Little Mermaid and heralded a new age for the genre. After a sultan (Douglas Seale) gives his daughter Jasmine (Linda Larkin) three days to find a husband she escapes the palace and encounters the street-savvy urchin Aladdin (Scott Weinger) who charms his way into her heart. While the sultan's Vizier Jafar (Jonathan Freeman) weaves a spell so that he may marry Jasmine and become sultan himself Aladdin discovers the Genie's lamp in a cave rubs it and sets the mystical entity free leading the Genie to pledge his undying loyalty to the dazzled youth. Aladdin begins his quest to defeat Jafar and win the hand of the princess with the Genie's help. Monsters Disney's trademark talking animals and a flying carpet all figure into the ensuing adventures but Williams' Genie who can change into anything or anybody steals the show as he launches into one crazed monologue after another impersonating figures from Ed Sullivan to Elvis Presley.

Robin Williams 's dizzying and hilarious voicing of the Genie is the main attraction of Aladdin , the third in the series of modern Disney animated movies that began with 1989's The Little Mermaid and heralded a new age for the genre. After a sultan ( Douglas Seale ) gives his daughter , Jasmine ( Linda Larkin ), three days to find a husband , she escapes the palace and encounters the street - savvy urchin Aladdin ( Scott Weinger ), who charms his way into her heart. While the sultan's Vizier , Jafar ( Jonathan Freeman ), weaves a spell so that he may marry Jasmine and become sultan himself , Aladdin discovers the Genie's lamp in a cave , rubs it , and sets the mystical entity free , leading the Genie to pledge his undying loyalty to the dazzled youth. Aladdin begins his quest to defeat Jafar and win the hand of the princess , with the Genie's help. Monsters , Disney's trademark talking animals , and a flying carpet all figure into the ensuing adventures , but Williams' Genie , who can change into anything or anybody , steals the show as he launches into one crazed monologue after another , impersonating figures from Ed Sullivan to Elvis Presley .

One of Disney's most entertaining forays into live-action this hit family comedy stars Fred MacMurray as a college professor so forgetful that he missed his own wedding twice. He creates an extremely resilient flying rubber dubbed "Flubber" and manages to make his old Model-T bounce all the way to Washington DC where it is mistaken for a UFO as well as helping the college basketball team win the big game with Flubber-powered sneakers. MacMurray is a lot of fun in the title role ably supported by a cast including Tommy Kirk Keenan Wynn and Leon Ames although the central romance between MacMurray and huffy bride-to-be Nancy Olson gets a bit annoying in its repetitiveness. In all however this is one of the best children's films of the '60s and is highly recommended. A sequel Son of Flubber followed with a remake simply titled Flubber appearing in 1997.

One of Disney's most entertaining forays into live - action , this hit family comedy stars Fred MacMurray as a college professor so forgetful that he missed his own wedding twice. He creates an extremely resilient flying rubber , dubbed "Flubber , " and manages to make his old Model - T bounce all the way to Washington , DC , where it is mistaken for a UFO , as well as helping the college basketball team win the big game with Flubber - powered sneakers. MacMurray is a lot of fun in the title role , ably supported by a cast including Tommy Kirk , Keenan Wynn and Leon Ames , although the central romance between MacMurray and huffy bride - to - be Nancy Olson gets a bit annoying in its repetitiveness. In all , however , this is one of the best children's films of the '60s , and is highly recommended. A sequel , Son of Flubber , followed , with a remake simply titled Flubber appearing in 1997.

The popular memoir by Pulitzer prize-winning author Willie Morris became this family comedy-drama about a boy and his dog. Young Willie Morris (Frankie Muniz) is a shy eight-year-old in 1942 Yazoo MS who is more comfortable reading than playing sports. A target for local bullies Willie's only real pal is his older next-door neighbor Dink Jenkins (Luke Wilson) once the town's living sports legend and a big brother figure to Willie an only child. When Dink is shipped overseas for service in World War II Willie's mother Ellen (Diane Lane) finally forces his gruff father Jack (Kevin Bacon) to allow into the family a pet dog a Jack Russell terrier named Skip. The smart and playful Skip gets his owner into a series of adventures on the baseball field and with a band of moonshiners quickly turning Willie into a popular accepted kid who even wins the affections of the school's prettiest girl Rivers Applewhite (Caitlin Wachs). In the meantime Dink returns from war branded a coward for an incident that occurred in combat but finds an unexpected ally in the normally taciturn Jack a fellow veteran. Harry Connick Jr. narrated as the adult Willie; the role of Skip was played in later scenes by Moose the pooch star of television's Frasier.

The popular memoir by Pulitzer prize - winning author Willie Morris became this family comedy - drama about a boy and his dog. Young Willie Morris ( Frankie Muniz ) is a shy eight - year - old in 1942 Yazoo , MS , who is more comfortable reading than playing sports. A target for local bullies , Willie's only real pal is his older next - door neighbor Dink Jenkins ( Luke Wilson ), once the town's living sports legend and a big brother figure to Willie , an only child. When Dink is shipped overseas for service in World War II , Willie's mother Ellen ( Diane Lane ) finally forces his gruff father Jack ( Kevin Bacon ) to allow into the family a pet dog , a Jack Russell terrier named Skip. The smart and playful Skip gets his owner into a series of adventures on the baseball field and with a band of moonshiners , quickly turning Willie into a popular , accepted kid who even wins the affections of the school's prettiest girl , Rivers Applewhite ( Caitlin Wachs ) . In the meantime , Dink returns from war branded a coward for an incident that occurred in combat but finds an unexpected ally in the normally taciturn Jack , a fellow veteran. Harry Connick Jr. narrated as the adult Willie ; the role of Skip was played in later scenes by Moose , the pooch star of television's Frasier .

ased on the popular Nickelodeon TV series Rugrats this is the first full-length feature animated movie to star the little tots. It's the story of diaper-clad kids told from a baby's point- of-view and they were one of the hottest-selling toy franchises of the late '90s. The film features a hilarious musical number in the hospital nursery where newborns have the voices of major rock stars that include Jakob Dylan (Bob Dylan's son) Iggy Pop Lou Rawls Lisa Loeb and Patti Smith to name a few. The story escalates when self-proclaimed leader Tommy Pickles is thrust into an impossible situation with the birth of his new brother Dil Pickles. This new kid is grabbing all the attention and won't stop crying. With the help of other toddlers Lil and Phil Tommy decides that the baby should be returned to the hospital for fixing. They all hop on their little wagon and take a high-speed ride straight into the deep woods where they realize they're lost. Chased around by animals (or so they think) the Rugrats clan must get home in one piece. Other celebrity voices include Whoopi Goldberg and The Rocky Horror Picture Show's Tim Curry as well as Saturday Night Live's Andrea Martin and David Spade.

Based on the popular Nickelodeon TV series Rugrats , this is the first full - length feature animated movie to star the little tots. It's the story of diaper - clad kids , told from a baby's point - of - view , and they were one of the hottest - selling toy franchises of the late '90s. The film features a hilarious musical number in the hospital nursery , where newborns have the voices of major rock stars that include Jakob Dylan ( Bob Dylan 's son ), Iggy Pop , Lou Rawls , Lisa Loeb , and Patti Smith , to name a few. The story escalates when self - proclaimed leader Tommy Pickles is thrust into an impossible situation with the birth of his new brother , Dil Pickles. This new kid is grabbing all the attention and won't stop crying. With the help of other toddlers Lil and Phil , Tommy decides that the baby should be returned to the hospital for fixing. They all hop on their little wagon and take a high - speed ride straight into the deep woods where they realize they're lost. Chased around by animals ( or so they think ), the Rugrats clan must get home in one piece. Other celebrity voices include Whoopi Goldberg and The Rocky Horror Picture Show 's Tim Curry , as well as Saturday Night Live 's Andrea Martin and David Spade .

Inspired by a familiar Chinese folk tale this $90 million animated Disney drama follows the adventures of a young woman in ancient China. Character animator Tony Bancroft and 17-year Disney veteran Barry Cook (Captain EO Tron Trail Mix-Up) formed the directing team with production design by Hans Bacher (Balto) and work on the film began 2 January 1995 under the working title The Legend of Mulan. While the merciless Shan-Yu (Miguel Ferrer) leads invading Huns over the Great Wall young Mulan (Ming-Na Wen with singing by Lea Salonga) sees a matchmaker about her matrimonial future. Mulan's views on accepted marriage traditions prompt the ballad "Reflection" as she hopes for a recognition of her true self. To repel the Huns a man from each family is required to join the Imperial Army. When Mulan's elderly father Fa Zhou (Soon-Tek Oh) volunteers she objects. He warns "I know my place. It is time you learned yours." Mulan however cuts her hair dresses as a man and is ready for military camp prompting the concern of her First Ancestor (George Takei) who converts an inanimate incense burner into the 18-inch high comedic dragon Mushu (Eddie Murphy). With Mushu hidden in her clothing she joins a group of raw recruits under the command of Captain Shang (B.D. Wong singing by Donny Osmond). During an ambush by the Huns in a mountain pass Mulan steps in to turn defeat into a victory. Mulan was the first Disney feature from the company's 200000-square-foot Orlando facility (now known as Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida).

Inspired by a familiar Chinese folk tale , this $90 million animated Disney drama follows the adventures of a young woman in ancient China. Character animator Tony Bancroft and 17 - year Disney veteran Barry Cook ( Captain EO , Tron , Trail Mix - Up ) formed the directing team with production design by Hans Bacher ( Balto ), and work on the film began 2 January 1995 under the working title The Legend of Mulan. While the merciless Shan - Yu ( Miguel Ferrer ) leads invading Huns over the Great Wall , young Mulan ( Ming - Na Wen , with singing by Lea Salonga ) sees a matchmaker about her matrimonial future. Mulan's views on accepted marriage traditions prompt the ballad , "Reflection , " as she hopes for a recognition of her true self. To repel the Huns , a man from each family is required to join the Imperial Army. When Mulan's elderly father Fa Zhou ( Soon - Tek Oh ) volunteers , she objects. He warns , "I know my place. It is time you learned yours." Mulan , however , cuts her hair , dresses as a man , and is ready for military camp , prompting the concern of her First Ancestor ( George Takei ), who converts an inanimate incense burner into the 18 - inch high comedic dragon Mushu ( Eddie Murphy ) . With Mushu hidden in her clothing , she joins a group of raw recruits under the command of Captain Shang ( B.D. Wong , singing by Donny Osmond ) . During an ambush by the Huns in a mountain pass , Mulan steps in to turn defeat into a victory. Mulan was the first Disney feature from the company's 200 , 000 - square - foot Orlando facility ( now known as Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida ) .

Two young girls who believe that fairies are real attempt to prove it to the world in this drama based on actual events. In 1917 there is little to be happy about in the Wright household in West Yorkshire England. Polly (Phoebe Nicholls) and her 12-year-old daughter Elsie (Florence Hoath) are still grieving over the death of Elsie's younger brother and Polly's niece Frances (Elizabeth Earl) has come to stay with them after her father was declared missing in action during World War I. Polly longs for some sort of proof that there is a life beyond our own while the two girls ardently believe in fairies and enthusiastically study legend and lore. One day Elsie and Frances produce photographs of fairies that they claim were playing in their garden; Polly believes that they are real and soon the snapshots attract international attention. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Peter O'Toole) author of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries and a confirmed spiritualist declares the photos "as genuine as the King's beard" while illusionist Harry Houdini (Harvey Keitel) who has devoted much time and energy to exposing phony mediums and psychics takes a more skeptical view. While Fairy Tale: A True Story presents the appearance of the fairies as fact analysis of the photographs proved them to be fakes (especially after the same fairies were discovered as illustrations in a children's book published before the photos were taken). The real-life Elsie Wright admitted late in life that the fairy photos were a hoax performed as a "little joke" and that she was always surprised that so many people believed them.

Two young girls who believe that fairies are real attempt to prove it to the world in this drama based on actual events. In 1917 , there is little to be happy about in the Wright household in West Yorkshire , England. Polly ( Phoebe Nicholls ) and her 12 - year - old daughter Elsie ( Florence Hoath ) are still grieving over the death of Elsie's younger brother , and Polly's niece Frances ( Elizabeth Earl ) has come to stay with them after her father was declared missing in action during World War I. Polly longs for some sort of proof that there is a life beyond our own , while the two girls ardently believe in fairies and enthusiastically study legend and lore. One day , Elsie and Frances produce photographs of fairies that they claim were playing in their garden ; Polly believes that they are real , and soon the snapshots attract international attention. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ( Peter O'Toole ), author of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries and a confirmed spiritualist , declares the photos "as genuine as the King's beard , " while illusionist Harry Houdini ( Harvey Keitel ), who has devoted much time and energy to exposing phony mediums and psychics , takes a more skeptical view. While Fairy Tale : A True Story presents the appearance of the fairies as fact , analysis of the photographs proved them to be fakes ( especially after the same fairies were discovered as illustrations in a children's book published before the photos were taken ) . The real - life Elsie Wright admitted late in life that the fairy photos were a hoax performed as a "little joke" and that she was always surprised that so many people believed them.

ased on the book Matilda by British children's author Roald Dahl this film moves the setting from the U.K. to the U.S.; otherwise it follows the original closely. Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson) is an extremely curious and intelligent little girl who is very different from her low-brow mainstream parents (Danny DeVito and real-life wife Rhea Perlman) who quite cruelly ignore her. As she grows older she begins to discover that she has telekinetic powers. Not until a teacher shows her kindness for the first time does she realize that she can use those powers to do something about her sufferings and help her friends as well. Villains from the awful Miss Trunchbull (Pam Ferris) headmistress of her miserable school Crunchem Hall to her parents and older brother begin to feel her ire. Look for Paul Reubens (aka Pee Wee Herman) in a small part as an FBI agent investigating Matilda's shady father.

Based on the book Matilda , by British children's author Roald Dahl , this film moves the setting from the U.K. to the U.S. ; otherwise it follows the original closely. Matilda Wormwood ( Mara Wilson ) is an extremely curious and intelligent little girl who is very different from her low - brow , mainstream parents ( Danny DeVito and real - life wife Rhea Perlman ), who quite cruelly ignore her. As she grows older , she begins to discover that she has telekinetic powers. Not until a teacher shows her kindness for the first time does she realize that she can use those powers to do something about her sufferings and help her friends as well. Villains from the awful Miss Trunchbull ( Pam Ferris ), headmistress of her miserable school Crunchem Hall , to her parents and older brother begin to feel her ire. Look for Paul Reubens ( aka Pee Wee Herman ) in a small part as an FBI agent investigating Matilda's shady father.

ased on the popular children's book by Lynne Reid Banks this fantasy concerns a young boy who discovers that his toys are developing lives of their own -- which presents him with unexpected responsibilities. Omri (Hal Scardino) a young boy growing up in Brooklyn receives an odd variety of presents for his birthday: a wooden cabinet from his older brother a set of antique keys from his mother Jane (Linsday Crouse) and a tiny plastic model of an Indian from his best friend Patrick (Rishi Bhat). Putting them all together Omri locks the Indian inside the cabinet only to be awoken by a strange sound in the middle of the night. Omri opens the cabinet to discover that the tiny Indian has come to life; it seems that he's called Little Bear (Litefoot) and he claims to have learned English from settlers in 1761. Omri hides this remarkable discovery from his mother but shares it with Patrick; as an experiment Patrick locks a toy cowboy into the cupboard and soon Little Bear has a companion Boone (David Keith) though predictably the cowboy and the Indian don't get along well at first. Omri comes to the realizations that his living and breathing playthings are also people with lives of their own and he begins to wonder how much control he should really have over their lives. The Indian in the Cupboard was directed by Frank Oz best known as one of the original puppeteers for The Muppets and the voice of Miss Piggy.

Based on the popular children's book by Lynne Reid Banks , this fantasy concerns a young boy who discovers that his toys are developing lives of their own -- which presents him with unexpected responsibilities. Omri ( Hal Scardino ), a young boy growing up in Brooklyn , receives an odd variety of presents for his birthday : a wooden cabinet from his older brother , a set of antique keys from his mother Jane ( Linsday Crouse ), and a tiny plastic model of an Indian from his best friend Patrick ( Rishi Bhat ) . Putting them all together , Omri locks the Indian inside the cabinet , only to be awoken by a strange sound in the middle of the night. Omri opens the cabinet to discover that the tiny Indian has come to life ; it seems that he's called Little Bear ( Litefoot ), and he claims to have learned English from settlers in 1761. Omri hides this remarkable discovery from his mother but shares it with Patrick ; as an experiment , Patrick locks a toy cowboy into the cupboard , and soon Little Bear has a companion , Boone ( David Keith ), though predictably , the cowboy and the Indian don't get along well at first. Omri comes to the realizations that his living and breathing playthings are also people with lives of their own , and he begins to wonder how much control he should really have over their lives. The Indian in the Cupboard was directed by Frank Oz , best known as one of the original puppeteers for The Muppets and the voice of Miss Piggy.

The fourth screen adaptation of Anna Sewell's classic novel is in some ways the most faithful and accomplished. Screenwriter and director Caroline Thompson recounts the life of Black Beauty an aging handsome stallion living in Victorian England. The film is narrated by Alan Cumming as the voice of Black Beauty who spends a happy childhood on a rambling country estate before being ravaged by illness and surviving a horrible stable fire. However the worst is yet to come as Black Beauty's new owners subject him to life as a horse for rent and later as a taxi puller in working-class London before he can retire in peace. The original novel was written to draw attention to the cruel treatment of animals in 1877 England and the issue's continued relevance today adds poignancy and gravity to this affecting tale. The film is episodic as was the book and the topic is handled with sensitivity and care.

The fourth screen adaptation of Anna Sewell 's classic novel is , in some ways , the most faithful and accomplished. Screenwriter and director Caroline Thompson recounts the life of Black Beauty , an aging , handsome stallion living in Victorian England. The film is narrated by Alan Cumming as the voice of Black Beauty , who spends a happy childhood on a rambling country estate before being ravaged by illness and surviving a horrible stable fire. However , the worst is yet to come as Black Beauty's new owners subject him to life as a horse for rent and , later , as a taxi puller in working - class London , before he can retire in peace. The original novel was written to draw attention to the cruel treatment of animals in 1877 England , and the issue's continued relevance today adds poignancy and gravity to this affecting tale. The film is episodic , as was the book , and the topic is handled with sensitivity and care.

In Nicolas Roeg's adaptation of Roald Dahl's novel The Witches a young boy is vacationing at the seaside with his grandmother when he discovers that the hotel he is staying at is hosting a convention of witches. Eavesdropping on the witches he learns that the Grand High Witch (Anjelica Huston) has devised a plan to turn all of the children in England into mice. With creature-effects by Jim Henson's Creature Shop The Witches was the last film Henson worked on before passing away in 1990.

In Nicolas Roeg 's adaptation of Roald Dahl 's novel The Witches , a young boy is vacationing at the seaside with his grandmother when he discovers that the hotel he is staying at is hosting a convention of witches. Eavesdropping on the witches , he learns that the Grand High Witch ( Anjelica Huston ) has devised a plan to turn all of the children in England into mice. With creature - effects by Jim Henson's Creature Shop , The Witches was the last film Henson worked on before passing away in 1990.

ased on a whimsical novel by Paul Gallico Disney's Three Lives of Thomasina is an imaginative tale of a resourceful cat. Thomasina is the pet of Karen Dotrice the daughter of taciturn Scottish veterinarian Patrick McGoohan. When Thomasina falls ill McGoohan coldly diagnoses the cat as suffering from tetanus and declares that the pet must be put out of its misery. As Dotrice and her friends sadly prepare to bury the "dead" Thomasina backwoods girl Susan Hampshire who is said to be a witch shows up and runs off with the kitty corpse. Using equal doses of intuition and love Hampshire revives Thomasina who of course wasn't dead at all. While in limbo Thomasina ascends to Cat Heaven where her case is heard by the Cat Goddess (this is a wonderful piece of special-effects wizardry even if you don't like cats). Returned to life Thomasina has no memory of her previous existence. Thus the cat runs off in terror when Dotrice sees her again during a torrential downpour. Now it is Dotrice who becomes seriously ill necessitating a collaboration between the cold cut-and-dried ministrations of her father and the tender loving care of the "bewitched" Hampshire. As it turns out Thomasina is the catalyst for both Dotrice's recovery and the film's happy ending.

Based on a whimsical novel by Paul Gallico , Disney's Three Lives of Thomasina is an imaginative tale of a resourceful cat. Thomasina is the pet of Karen Dotrice , the daughter of taciturn Scottish veterinarian Patrick McGoohan . When Thomasina falls ill , McGoohan coldly diagnoses the cat as suffering from tetanus and declares that the pet must be put out of its misery. As Dotrice and her friends sadly prepare to bury the "dead" Thomasina , backwoods girl Susan Hampshire , who is said to be a witch , shows up and runs off with the kitty corpse. Using equal doses of intuition and love , Hampshire revives Thomasina , who of course wasn't dead at all. While in limbo , Thomasina ascends to Cat Heaven , where her case is heard by the Cat Goddess ( this is a wonderful piece of special - effects wizardry , even if you don't like cats ) . Returned to life , Thomasina has no memory of her previous existence. Thus , the cat runs off in terror when Dotrice sees her again during a torrential downpour. Now it is Dotrice who becomes seriously ill , necessitating a collaboration between the cold , cut - and - dried ministrations of her father and the tender loving care of the "bewitched" Hampshire. As it turns out , Thomasina is the catalyst for both Dotrice's recovery and the film's happy ending.

The 1993 remake of The Secret Garden is a rendition of the classic Frances Hodgon Burnett novel about a young girl (Kate Maberly) who discovers an abandoned garden on her uncle's large Victorian country estate as well as an invalid cousin she didn't realize she had. With the help of a local boy the girl sets out to restore the garden and once it is blooming again she discovers it has magical powers.

The 1993 remake of The Secret Garden is a rendition of the classic Frances Hodgon Burnett novel about a young girl ( Kate Maberly ) who discovers an abandoned garden on her uncle's large Victorian country estate , as well as an invalid cousin she didn't realize she had. With the help of a local boy , the girl sets out to restore the garden and , once it is blooming again , she discovers it has magical powers.

Arguably Luchino Visconti's best film and certainly the most personal of his historical epics The Leopard chronicles the fortunes of Prince Fabrizio Salina and his family during the unification of Italy in the 1860s. Based on the acclaimed novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa published posthumously in 1958 and subsequently translated into all European languages the picture opens as Salina (Burt Lancaster) learns that Garibaldi's troops have embarked in Sicily. While the Prince sees the event as an obvious threat to his current social status his opportunistic nephew Tancredi (Alain Delon) becomes an officer in Garibaldi's army and returns home a war hero. Tancredi starts courting the beautiful Angelica (Claudia Cardinale) a daughter of the town's newly appointed Mayor Don Calogero Sedara (Paolo Stoppa). Though the Prince despises Don Calogero as an upstart who made a fortune on land speculation during the recent social upheaval he reluctantly agrees to his nephew's marriage understanding how much this alliance would mean for the impecunious Tancredi. Painfully realizing the aristocracy's obsolescence in the wake of the new class of bourgeoisie the Prince later declines an offer from a governmental emissary to become a senator in the new Parliament in Turin. The closing section an almost hour-long ball is often cited as one of the most spectacular sequences in film history. Burt Lancaster is magnificent in the first of his patriarchal roles and the rest of the cast especially Delon and Cardinale become almost perfect incarnations of the novel's characters. Filmed in glorious Techniscope and rich in period detail the film is a remarkable cinematic achievement in all departments. The version that won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival ran 205 minutes. Inexplicably the picture was subsequently distributed by 20th Century Fox in a poorly dubbed 165-min. English-language version using inferior color process. The restored Italian-language version supervised by cinematographer Giuseppe Rotunno appeared in 1990 though the longest print still ran only 187 minutes.

Arguably Luchino Visconti 's best film and certainly the most personal of his historical epics , The Leopard chronicles the fortunes of Prince Fabrizio Salina and his family during the unification of Italy in the 1860s. Based on the acclaimed novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa , published posthumously in 1958 and subsequently translated into all European languages , the picture opens as Salina ( Burt Lancaster ) learns that Garibaldi's troops have embarked in Sicily. While the Prince sees the event as an obvious threat to his current social status , his opportunistic nephew Tancredi ( Alain Delon ) becomes an officer in Garibaldi's army and returns home a war hero. Tancredi starts courting the beautiful Angelica ( Claudia Cardinale ), a daughter of the town's newly appointed Mayor , Don Calogero Sedara ( Paolo Stoppa ) . Though the Prince despises Don Calogero as an upstart who made a fortune on land speculation during the recent social upheaval , he reluctantly agrees to his nephew's marriage , understanding how much this alliance would mean for the impecunious Tancredi. Painfully realizing the aristocracy's obsolescence in the wake of the new class of bourgeoisie , the Prince later declines an offer from a governmental emissary to become a senator in the new Parliament in Turin. The closing section , an almost hour - long ball , is often cited as one of the most spectacular sequences in film history. Burt Lancaster is magnificent in the first of his patriarchal roles , and the rest of the cast , especially Delon and Cardinale , become almost perfect incarnations of the novel's characters. Filmed in glorious Techniscope and rich in period detail , the film is a remarkable cinematic achievement in all departments. The version that won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival ran 205 minutes. Inexplicably , the picture was subsequently distributed by 20th Century Fox in a poorly dubbed , 165 - min. English - language version , using inferior color process. The restored Italian - language version , supervised by cinematographer Giuseppe Rotunno , appeared in 1990 , though the longest print still ran only 187 minutes.

The Last Emperor is the true story of Aisin-Gioro Pu Yi the last ruler of the Chinese Ching Dynasty. Told in flashback the film covers the years 1908 to 1967. We first see the three-year-old Pu Yi being installed in the Forbidden City by ruthless dying dowager Empress Tzu-Hsui (Lisa Lu). Though he'd prefer to lark about like other boys the infant emperor is cossetted and cajoled into accepting the responsibilities and privileges of his office. In 1912 the young emperor (Tijer Tsou) forced to abdicate when China is declared a republic is a prisoner in his own palace "protected" from the outside world. Fascinated by the worldliness of his Scottish tutor (Peter O'Toole) Pu Yi plots an escape from his cocoon by means of marriage. He selects Manchu descendant Wan Jung (Joan Chen) who likewise is anxious to experience the 20th century rather than be locked into the past by tradition. Played as an adult by John Lone Pu Yi puts into effect several social reforms and also clears the palace of the corrupt eunuchs who've been shielding him from life. In 1924 an invading warlord expels the denizens of the Forbidden City allowing Pu Yi to "westernize" himself by embracing popular music and the latest dances as a guest of the Japanese Concession in Tientsin. Six years later his power all but gone Pu Yi escapes to Manchuria where he unwittingly becomes a political pawn for the now-militant Japanese government. Humiliating his faithful wife Pu Yi falls into bad romantic company carrying on affairs with a variety of parasitic females. During World War II the Japanese force Pu Yi to sign a series of documents which endorse their despotic military activities. At war's end the emperor is taken prisoner by the Russians; while incarcerated he is forced to fend for himself without servants at his beck and call for the first time. He is finally released in 1959 and displayed publicly as proof of the efficacy of Communist re-education. We last see him in 1967 the year of his death; now employed by the State as a gardener Pu Yi makes one last visit to the Forbidden City...as a tourist. Bernardo Bertolucci's first film after a six-year self-imposed exile The Last Emperor was released in two separate versions: the 160-minute theatrical release and a 4-hour TV miniseries. Lensed on location the film won nine Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director.

The Last Emperor is the true story of Aisin - Gioro Pu Yi , the last ruler of the Chinese Ching Dynasty. Told in flashback , the film covers the years 1908 to 1967. We first see the three - year - old Pu Yi being installed in the Forbidden City by ruthless , dying dowager Empress Tzu - Hsui ( Lisa Lu ) . Though he'd prefer to lark about like other boys , the infant emperor is cossetted and cajoled into accepting the responsibilities and privileges of his office. In 1912 , the young emperor ( Tijer Tsou ) forced to abdicate when China is declared a republic , is a prisoner in his own palace , "protected" from the outside world. Fascinated by the worldliness of his Scottish tutor ( Peter O'Toole ), Pu Yi plots an escape from his cocoon by means of marriage. He selects Manchu descendant Wan Jung ( Joan Chen ), who likewise is anxious to experience the 20th century rather than be locked into the past by tradition. Played as an adult by John Lone , Pu Yi puts into effect several social reforms , and also clears the palace of the corrupt eunuchs who've been shielding him from life. In 1924 , an invading warlord expels the denizens of the Forbidden City , allowing Pu Yi to "westernize" himself by embracing popular music and the latest dances as a guest of the Japanese Concession in Tientsin. Six years later , his power all but gone , Pu Yi escapes to Manchuria , where he unwittingly becomes a political pawn for the now - militant Japanese government. Humiliating his faithful wife , Pu Yi falls into bad romantic company , carrying on affairs with a variety of parasitic females. During World War II , the Japanese force Pu Yi to sign a series of documents which endorse their despotic military activities. At war's end , the emperor is taken prisoner by the Russians ; while incarcerated , he is forced to fend for himself without servants at his beck and call for the first time. He is finally released in 1959 and displayed publicly as proof of the efficacy of Communist re - education. We last see him in 1967 , the year of his death ; now employed by the State as a gardener , Pu Yi makes one last visit to the Forbidden City...as a tourist. Bernardo Bertolucci 's first film after a six - year self - imposed exile , The Last Emperor was released in two separate versions : the 160 - minute theatrical release , and a 4 - hour TV miniseries. Lensed on location , the film won nine Academy Awards , including Best Picture and Best Director.

It was Richard Attenborough's lifelong dream to bring the life story of Indian political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi to the screen. When it finally reached fruition in 1982 the 188-minute Oscar-winning Gandhi was one of the most exhaustively thorough biopics ever made. The film begins in the early part of the 20th century when Mohandas K. Gandhi (Ben Kingsley) a British-trained lawyer forsakes all worldly possessions to take up the cause of Indian independence. Faced with armed resistance from the British government Gandhi adopts a policy of "passive resistance" endeavoring to win freedom for his people without resorting to bloodshed. In the horrendous "slaughter" sequence more extras appear on screen than in any previous historical epic. The supporting cast includes Candice Bergen as photographer Margaret Bourke-White Athol Fugard as General Smuts John Gielgud as Lord Irwin John Mills as the viceroy Martin Sheen as Walker Trevor Howard as Judge Broomfield and in a tiny part as a street bully star-to-be Daniel Day-Lewis. Gandhi won eight Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Actor and Best Director.

It was Richard Attenborough 's lifelong dream to bring the life story of Indian political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi to the screen. When it finally reached fruition in 1982 , the 188 - minute , Oscar - winning Gandhi was one of the most exhaustively thorough biopics ever made. The film begins in the early part of the 20th century , when Mohandas K. Gandhi ( Ben Kingsley ), a British - trained lawyer , forsakes all worldly possessions to take up the cause of Indian independence. Faced with armed resistance from the British government , Gandhi adopts a policy of "passive resistance , " endeavoring to win freedom for his people without resorting to bloodshed. In the horrendous "slaughter" sequence , more extras appear on screen than in any previous historical epic. The supporting cast includes Candice Bergen as photographer Margaret Bourke - White , Athol Fugard as General Smuts , John Gielgud as Lord Irwin , John Mills as the viceroy , Martin Sheen as Walker , Trevor Howard as Judge Broomfield , and , in a tiny part as a street bully , star - to - be Daniel Day - Lewis . Gandhi won eight Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Actor , and Best Director.

Kenneth Branagh makes his feature-film directorial debut with this adaptation of William Shakespeare's Henry V. After the Chorus (Derek Jacobi) introduces the play young king of England Henry V (Kenneth Branagh) begins an angry dialogue with King Charles of France (Paul Scofield). The king's son Dauphin (Michael Maloney) insults Henry and the argument escalates into war. In flashback Henry is seen as a young man drinking in a tavern with Falstaff (Robbie Coltrane) Bardolph (Richard Briers) Nym (Geoffrey Hutchings) Pistol (Robert Stephens) and Mistress Quickly (Judi Dench). Meanwhile Henry and his captain Fluellen (Ian Holm) assemble an army and invade France. The French greatly outnumber the British troops yet Henry leads them to victory in the Battle of Agincourt after delivering his famous St. Crispin's Day Speech. Throughout this struggle Henry also courts Katherine (Emma Thompson) and eventually wins her over.

Kenneth Branagh makes his feature - film directorial debut with this adaptation of William Shakespeare 's Henry V . After the Chorus ( Derek Jacobi ) introduces the play , young king of England Henry V ( Kenneth Branagh ) begins an angry dialogue with King Charles of France ( Paul Scofield ) . The king's son , Dauphin ( Michael Maloney ), insults Henry and the argument escalates into war. In flashback , Henry is seen as a young man drinking in a tavern with Falstaff ( Robbie Coltrane ), Bardolph ( Richard Briers ), Nym ( Geoffrey Hutchings ), Pistol ( Robert Stephens ), and Mistress Quickly ( Judi Dench ) . Meanwhile , Henry and his captain , Fluellen ( Ian Holm ), assemble an army and invade France. The French greatly outnumber the British troops , yet Henry leads them to victory in the Battle of Agincourt after delivering his famous St. Crispin's Day Speech. Throughout this struggle , Henry also courts Katherine ( Emma Thompson ) and eventually wins her over.

Few filmmakers other than Warren Beatty would have had the courage and vision to fashion an epic film from the life of famed American Communist John Reed (who is the only US citizen buried in the Kremlin). The film is an effort to humanize a political movement that has previously been depicted on screen in a series of unsubtle and prejudicial broad strokes. The film begins in 1915 when Reed (Beatty) makes the acquaintance of married Portland journalist Louise Bryant (Diane Keaton). So persuasive is Reed's point of view--and so charismatic is Reed himself-- that Bryant kicks over the traces and joins Reed and his fellow radicals. Among the famous personages depicted herein are Emma Goldman (Maureen Stapleton) Eugene O'Neill (Jack Nicholson) and Max Eastman (Richard Herrmann). The second half of this nearly-200-minute film skims through the years when Reed now a Russian resident becomes disillusioned by the harsh realities of Bolshevism. Despite the celebrity line-up of real-life "witnesses" to the events depicted in the film (ranging from novelist Henry Miller to comedian George Jessel!) historians took Reds to task for its oversimplification of events and its laundering of the notoriously promiscuous Louise Bryant.

Few filmmakers other than Warren Beatty would have had the courage and vision to fashion an epic film from the life of famed American Communist John Reed ( who is the only US citizen buried in the Kremlin ) . The film is an effort to humanize a political movement that has previously been depicted on screen in a series of unsubtle and prejudicial broad strokes. The film begins in 1915 , when Reed ( Beatty ) makes the acquaintance of married Portland journalist Louise Bryant ( Diane Keaton ) . So persuasive is Reed 's point of view -- and so charismatic is Reed himself -- that Bryant kicks over the traces and joins Reed and his fellow radicals. Among the famous personages depicted herein are Emma Goldman ( Maureen Stapleton ), Eugene O'Neill ( Jack Nicholson ) and Max Eastman ( Richard Herrmann ) . The second half of this nearly - 200 - minute film skims through the years when Reed , now a Russian resident , becomes disillusioned by the harsh realities of Bolshevism. Despite the celebrity line - up of real - life "witnesses" to the events depicted in the film ( ranging from novelist Henry Miller to comedian George Jessel ! ), historians took Reds to task for its oversimplification of events and its laundering of the notoriously promiscuous Louise Bryant .

Adapted by Robert Bolt and Constance Willis from Bolt's hit stage play A Man for All Seasons stars Paul Scofield triumphantly repeating his stage role as Sir Thomas More. The crux of the film is the staunchly Catholic More's refusal to acknowledge King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw)'s break from the church to divorce his first wife and marry Anne Boleyn (an unbilled Vanessa Redgrave). Sir Thomas willingly goes to the chopping block rather than sacrifice his ideals. Director Fred Zinnemann retains the play's verbosity without sacrificing the film's strong sense of visuals. The impeccably chosen cast includes Wendy Hiller as Sir Thomas' likably contentious wife Alice John Hurt as the deceitful Richard Rich (More's put-downs of this despicable character provide some of the film's biggest laughs) Orson Welles as a dour Cardinal Woolsey Leo McKern as the ambitious Thomas Cromwell and Susannah York as More's daughter Margaret. The "Common Man" an important bridging-the-scenes character in the original play is removed from the film version which does just fine without him. A Man for All Seasons won six Oscars including Best Picture Best Director and Best Actor as well as seven British Film Academy awards.

Adapted by Robert Bolt and Constance Willis from Bolt 's hit stage play , A Man for All Seasons stars Paul Scofield , triumphantly repeating his stage role as Sir Thomas More. The crux of the film is the staunchly Catholic More's refusal to acknowledge King Henry VIII ( Robert Shaw ) 's break from the church to divorce his first wife and marry Anne Boleyn ( an unbilled Vanessa Redgrave ) . Sir Thomas willingly goes to the chopping block rather than sacrifice his ideals. Director Fred Zinnemann retains the play's verbosity without sacrificing the film's strong sense of visuals. The impeccably chosen cast includes Wendy Hiller as Sir Thomas' likably contentious wife Alice , John Hurt as the deceitful Richard Rich ( More's put - downs of this despicable character provide some of the film's biggest laughs ), Orson Welles as a dour Cardinal Woolsey , Leo McKern as the ambitious Thomas Cromwell , and Susannah York as More's daughter Margaret. The "Common Man , " an important bridging - the - scenes character in the original play , is removed from the film version , which does just fine without him. A Man for All Seasons won six Oscars , including Best Picture , Best Director , and Best Actor , as well as seven British Film Academy awards.

A lavishly produced historical drama from China Jing Ke Ci Qin Wang/The Emperor and the Assassin tells the complex multi-facetted story of the man who became the first Emperor of a unified China another man who has sworn to kill him and a woman who is loved by both men. Late in the Third Century B.C. when China was comprised of seven rival kingdoms Ying Zheng (Li Xuejian) was the leader of Qin. Ying Zheng had a dream in which he joined together the seven kingdoms into a single utopian state and taking this as a mandate from God he invaded the nearby state of Han as the first step toward this goal. However not everyone in the neighboring states was happy with Ying Zheng's crusade which seemed to indicate a lengthy war with many casualties. Lady Zhao (Gong Li) Ying's lover devised a scheme to help Ying Zheng take over the nearby and uncooperative state of Yan; she fabricated a fake assassination plot against him and framed the leader of Yan once Ying Zheng's childhood friend as the man behind the murderous plot. However Lady Zhao did not choose the would-be assassin wisely; while Jing Ke (Zhang Fengyi) loved her and was willing to do her bidding Jing Ke's previous assassination assignment caused the unintended death of an innocent blind girl which left him full of regret and a bit unstable. When Jing Ke learned a closely guarded secret about Ying Zheng's past he became blindly determined to kill the would-be emperor whatever the cost. Produced on a lavish budget by Chinese standards ($15 million) Jing Ke Ci Qin Wang/The Emperor and the Assassin was directed by Chen Kaige best known to Western audiences for the international success Farewell My Concubine.

A lavishly produced historical drama from China , Jing Ke Ci Qin Wang / The Emperor and the Assassin tells the complex , multi - facetted story of the man who became the first Emperor of a unified China , another man who has sworn to kill him , and a woman who is loved by both men. Late in the Third Century B.C. , when China was comprised of seven rival kingdoms , Ying Zheng ( Li Xuejian ) was the leader of Qin. Ying Zheng had a dream in which he joined together the seven kingdoms into a single utopian state , and taking this as a mandate from God , he invaded the nearby state of Han as the first step toward this goal. However , not everyone in the neighboring states was happy with Ying Zheng's crusade , which seemed to indicate a lengthy war with many casualties. Lady Zhao ( Gong Li ), Ying's lover , devised a scheme to help Ying Zheng take over the nearby and uncooperative state of Yan ; she fabricated a fake assassination plot against him , and framed the leader of Yan , once Ying Zheng's childhood friend , as the man behind the murderous plot. However , Lady Zhao did not choose the would - be assassin wisely ; while Jing Ke ( Zhang Fengyi ) loved her and was willing to do her bidding , Jing Ke's previous assassination assignment caused the unintended death of an innocent blind girl , which left him full of regret and a bit unstable. When Jing Ke learned a closely guarded secret about Ying Zheng's past , he became blindly determined to kill the would - be emperor , whatever the cost. Produced on a lavish budget by Chinese standards ( $15 million ), Jing Ke Ci Qin Wang / The Emperor and the Assassin was directed by Chen Kaige , best known to Western audiences for the international success Farewell My Concubine .

This British-made historical drama depicts the rise of young Elizabeth Tudor to Queen of England a reign of intrigue and betrayals. In 1554 Queen Mary I (Kathy Burke) tries to restore Catholicism as England's single faith. With no heir to the crown she maneuvers to keep her Protestant half-sister Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett) from succeeding her but her efforts fail. With Mary dead Elizabeth is proclaimed Queen of England in November 1558. Elizabeth relishes the return from exile of her childhood sweetheart Lord Robert Dudley (Joseph Fiennes). Chief adviser Sir William Cecil (Richard Attenborough) urges the young Queen to forget personal matters and instead address the country's pressing problems. England is bankrupt has no army and is under serious threat from abroad. Elizabeth even has enemies within her own court the most dangerous being the Duke of Norfolk (Christopher Eccleston). Hoping for an heir Cecil suggests marriage candidates -- King Philip II of Spain or the French Duc d'Anjou (Vincent Cassel) -- to secure the realm. Elizabeth agrees to meet their ambassadors but her true feelings are revealed when she meets Dudley for a secret tryst. French "warrior queen" Mary of Guise (Fanny Ardent) amasses troops at the Scottish border. Elizabeth bows to the pro-War lobby led by Norfolk despite protests from her Master of Spies the enigmatic Sir Francis Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush) but the decision to fight leads to a humiliating defeat. As dark clouds of court conspiracies gather and the possibility of assassination looms Elizabeth strikes out at her enemies and puts her trust in Walsingham. Shown at 1998 film fests (Venice Toronto) this is the first English-language film of Indian director Shekhar Kapur who shot on locations at Northumberland Derbyshire North Yorkshire and at Shepperton Studios.

This British - made historical drama depicts the rise of young Elizabeth Tudor to Queen of England , a reign of intrigue and betrayals. In 1554 , Queen Mary I ( Kathy Burke ) tries to restore Catholicism as England's single faith. With no heir to the crown , she maneuvers to keep her Protestant half - sister Elizabeth ( Cate Blanchett ) from succeeding her , but her efforts fail. With Mary dead , Elizabeth is proclaimed Queen of England in November 1558. Elizabeth relishes the return from exile of her childhood sweetheart , Lord Robert Dudley ( Joseph Fiennes ) . Chief adviser Sir William Cecil ( Richard Attenborough ) urges the young Queen to forget personal matters and instead address the country's pressing problems. England is bankrupt , has no army , and is under serious threat from abroad. Elizabeth even has enemies within her own court , the most dangerous being the Duke of Norfolk ( Christopher Eccleston ) . Hoping for an heir , Cecil suggests marriage candidates -- King Philip II of Spain or the French Duc d'Anjou ( Vincent Cassel ) -- to secure the realm. Elizabeth agrees to meet their ambassadors , but her true feelings are revealed when she meets Dudley for a secret tryst. French "warrior queen" Mary of Guise ( Fanny Ardent ) amasses troops at the Scottish border. Elizabeth bows to the pro - War lobby led by Norfolk , despite protests from her Master of Spies , the enigmatic Sir Francis Walsingham ( Geoffrey Rush ), but the decision to fight leads to a humiliating defeat. As dark clouds of court conspiracies gather , and the possibility of assassination looms , Elizabeth strikes out at her enemies and puts her trust in Walsingham. Shown at 1998 film fests ( Venice , Toronto ), this is the first English - language film of Indian director Shekhar Kapur , who shot on locations at Northumberland , Derbyshire , North Yorkshire , and at Shepperton Studios.

Produced for the HBO cable network this docudrama explores the social and ethical issues at the heart of the infamous Tuskegee Study of Untreated Blacks With Syphilis. From 1932 through 1972 the U.S. Public Health Service studied 600 poor African-American sharecroppers in Macon County AL -- 399 chronic syphilitics and a 201-man healthy control group. Doctors treated the men with placebos hid the true nature of their research and withheld penicillin even after it became the standard and highly effective treatment for the disease in the mid-'40s. Although the experiment was hardly a secret it was not until the early '70s that a public outcry developed; by then all but 127 of the original study group had died. A class-action lawsuit obtained modest financial reparations for the participants and their descendants but it was not until 1997 that President Bill Clinton offered an official government apology for the study. Framed as a series of flashbacks during the 1971 congressional hearings about the experiment the film employs the viewpoint of Eunice Evers (Alfre Woodard) a local nurse who knew of the study's true nature but devoted her life to caring for the men as they suffered horrifying physical and mental debilities and eventually died. The film charts her warm personal relationships with many of the participants -- the title refers to a singing and dancing troupe named in her honor -- and her failed romance with Caleb Humphries (Laurence Fishburne) an experimental subject who obtained penicillin from a military doctor and left the study to fight in World War II. Miss Evers' Boys was adapted from the play by David Feldshuh which was itself based on the book Bad Blood: The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment by James H. Jones. Although fictionalized the title character is based on the real-life Eunice Rivers. The film won three Emmy Awards including top acting honors for Woodard.

Produced for the HBO cable network , this docudrama explores the social and ethical issues at the heart of the infamous Tuskegee Study of Untreated Blacks With Syphilis. From 1932 through 1972 , the U.S. Public Health Service studied 600 poor African - American sharecroppers in Macon County , AL -- 399 chronic syphilitics and a 201 - man healthy control group. Doctors treated the men with placebos , hid the true nature of their research , and withheld penicillin even after it became the standard and highly effective treatment for the disease in the mid - '40s. Although the experiment was hardly a secret , it was not until the early '70s that a public outcry developed ; by then , all but 127 of the original study group had died. A class - action lawsuit obtained modest financial reparations for the participants and their descendants , but it was not until 1997 that President Bill Clinton offered an official government apology for the study. Framed as a series of flashbacks during the 1971 congressional hearings about the experiment , the film employs the viewpoint of Eunice Evers ( Alfre Woodard ), a local nurse who knew of the study's true nature , but devoted her life to caring for the men as they suffered horrifying physical and mental debilities and eventually died. The film charts her warm personal relationships with many of the participants -- the title refers to a singing and dancing troupe named in her honor -- and her failed romance with Caleb Humphries ( Laurence Fishburne ), an experimental subject who obtained penicillin from a military doctor and left the study to fight in World War II. Miss Evers' Boys was adapted from the play by David Feldshuh , which was itself based on the book Bad Blood : The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment by James H. Jones. Although fictionalized , the title character is based on the real - life Eunice Rivers. The film won three Emmy Awards , including top acting honors for Woodard .

Mel Gibson long-time heartthrob of the silver screen came into his own as a director with Braveheart an account of the life and times of medieval Scottish patriot William Wallace and to a lesser degree Robert the Bruce's struggle to unify his nation against its English oppressors. The story begins with young Wallace whose father and brother have been killed fighting the English being taken into the custody of his uncle a nationalist and pre-Renaissance renaissance man. He returns twenty years later a man educated both in the classics and in the art of war. There he finds his childhood sweetheart Murron (Catherine McCormack) and the two quickly fall in love. There are murmurs of revolt against the English throughout the village but Wallace remains aloof wishing simply to tend to his crops and live in peace. However when his love is killed by English soldiers the day after their secret marriage (held secretly so as to prevent the local English lord from exercising the repulsive right of prima noctae the privilege of sleeping with the bride on the first night of the marriage) he springs into action and single-handedly slays an entire platoon of foot soldiers. The other villagers join him in destroying the English garrison and thus begins the revolt against the English in what will eventually become full-fledged war. Wallace eventually leads his fellow Scots in a series of bloody battles that prove a serious threat to English domination and along the way has a hushed affair with the Princess of Wales (the breathtaking Sophie Marceau) before his imminent demise. For his efforts Gibson won the honor of Best Director from the Academy; the movie also took home statuettes for Best Picture Cinematography Makeup and Sound Effects.

Mel Gibson , long - time heartthrob of the silver screen , came into his own as a director with Braveheart , an account of the life and times of medieval Scottish patriot William Wallace and , to a lesser degree , Robert the Bruce's struggle to unify his nation against its English oppressors. The story begins with young Wallace , whose father and brother have been killed fighting the English , being taken into the custody of his uncle , a nationalist and pre - Renaissance renaissance man. He returns twenty years later , a man educated both in the classics and in the art of war. There he finds his childhood sweetheart Murron ( Catherine McCormack ), and the two quickly fall in love. There are murmurs of revolt against the English throughout the village , but Wallace remains aloof , wishing simply to tend to his crops and live in peace. However , when his love is killed by English soldiers the day after their secret marriage ( held secretly so as to prevent the local English lord from exercising the repulsive right of prima noctae , the privilege of sleeping with the bride on the first night of the marriage ), he springs into action and single - handedly slays an entire platoon of foot soldiers. The other villagers join him in destroying the English garrison , and thus begins the revolt against the English in what will eventually become full - fledged war. Wallace eventually leads his fellow Scots in a series of bloody battles that prove a serious threat to English domination and , along the way , has a hushed affair with the Princess of Wales ( the breathtaking Sophie Marceau ) before his imminent demise. For his efforts , Gibson won the honor of Best Director from the Academy ; the movie also took home statuettes for Best Picture , Cinematography , Makeup , and Sound Effects.

The historical novel by Alexandre Dumas was adapted for the screen with this lavish French epic winner of 5 Césars and a pair of awards at the Cannes Film Festival. Isabelle Adjani stars as Marguerite de Valois better known as Margot daughter of scheming Catholic power player Catherine de Medici (Virna Lisi). Margot is an heiress to the throne during the late 16th century reign of the neurotic hypochondriac King Charles IX (Jean-Hugues Anglade) a time when Protestants and Catholics are vying for political control of France. Catherine decides to make an overture of good will by offering up Margot in marriage to prominent Protestant Huguenot Henri of Navarre (Daniel Auteuil) although she also schemes to bring about the notorious St. Bartholomew's Day massacre of 1572 when tens of thousands of Protestants are slaughtered. The marriage goes forward but Margot doesn't love Henri and takes a lover the soldier La Mole (Vincent Perez) also a Protestant from a well-to-do family. Murders by poisoning follow as court intrigues multiply and Catherine's villainous plotting to place her son Anjou (Pascal Greggory) on the throne threatens the lives of La Mole Margot and Henri. The American release version was cut to 145 minutes.

The historical novel by Alexandre Dumas was adapted for the screen with this lavish French epic , winner of 5 Césars and a pair of awards at the Cannes Film Festival . Isabelle Adjani stars as Marguerite de Valois , better known as Margot , daughter of scheming Catholic power player Catherine de Medici ( Virna Lisi ) . Margot is an heiress to the throne during the late 16th century reign of the neurotic , hypochondriac King Charles IX ( Jean - Hugues Anglade ), a time when Protestants and Catholics are vying for political control of France. Catherine decides to make an overture of good will by offering up Margot in marriage to prominent Protestant Huguenot Henri of Navarre ( Daniel Auteuil ), although she also schemes to bring about the notorious St. Bartholomew's Day massacre of 1572 , when tens of thousands of Protestants are slaughtered. The marriage goes forward but Margot doesn't love Henri and takes a lover , the soldier La Mole ( Vincent Perez ), also a Protestant from a well - to - do family. Murders by poisoning follow , as court intrigues multiply and Catherine's villainous plotting to place her son Anjou ( Pascal Greggory ) on the throne threatens the lives of La Mole , Margot and Henri. The American release version was cut to 145 minutes.

ased on Alan Bennett's acclaimed play The Madness of George III The Madness of King George takes a dark-humored look at the mental decline of King George III of England. The film's story begins nearly three decades into George's reign in 1788 as the unstable king (Nigel Hawthorne reprising his stage role) begins to show signs of increasing dementia from violent fits of foul language to bouts of forgetfulness. This weakness seems like the perfect chance to overthrow the unpopular George whom many blamed for the loss of the American colonies in favor of the Prince of Wales (Rupert Everett) but the king's prime minister William Pitt (Julian Wadham) and his wife Queen Charlotte (Helen Mirren) are determined to protect the throne. Doctors are brought in but the archaic treatments of the time prove of little value. In desperation they turn to Dr. Willis (Ian Holm) a harsh unconventional specialist whose unusual methods recall modern psychiatry. Willis struggles to break through to the mad king treating him with an anger and haughtiness George has never before experienced. Stressing the absurdity of the entire situation Bennett's witty screenplay emphasizes dry humor over tragedy even utilizing references to King Lear for comic effect. Hawthorne's fiery yet vulnerable performance received much critical praise including Best Actor at the British Academy Awards and a nomination for the same at the Oscars.

Based on Alan Bennett 's acclaimed play The Madness of George III , The Madness of King George takes a dark - humored look at the mental decline of King George III of England. The film's story begins nearly three decades into George's reign , in 1788 , as the unstable king ( Nigel Hawthorne , reprising his stage role ) begins to show signs of increasing dementia , from violent fits of foul language to bouts of forgetfulness. This weakness seems like the perfect chance to overthrow the unpopular George , whom many blamed for the loss of the American colonies , in favor of the Prince of Wales ( Rupert Everett ), but the king's prime minister William Pitt ( Julian Wadham ) and his wife Queen Charlotte ( Helen Mirren ) are determined to protect the throne. Doctors are brought in , but the archaic treatments of the time prove of little value. In desperation , they turn to Dr. Willis ( Ian Holm ), a harsh , unconventional specialist whose unusual methods recall modern psychiatry. Willis struggles to break through to the mad king , treating him with an anger and haughtiness George has never before experienced. Stressing the absurdity of the entire situation , Bennett's witty screenplay emphasizes dry humor over tragedy , even utilizing references to King Lear for comic effect. Hawthorne's fiery yet vulnerable performance received much critical praise , including Best Actor at the British Academy Awards and a nomination for the same at the Oscars.

Filmed on a grand scale Zulu is a rousing recreation of the January 22 1879 siege of Rorke's Drift in Natal Africa. An army of 4000 Zulu warriors have already decimated a huge British garrison; now they are on their way to the much smaller Rorke's Drift. A Royal Engineers officer (Stanley Baker) is determined to stand his ground despite having only a skeleton garrison at his command. His steamroller tactics are constantly at odds with those of a by-the-book lieutenant (Michael Caine) who feels that a retreat is called for but it becomes clear that if the garrison is to survive they'd better pay heed. Jack Hawkins and Ulla Jacobsson are also on hand as an idealistic missionary and his somewhat more pragmatic daughter. Richard Burton provides the narration for Zulu closing the film with the observation that 11 of the 1344 Victoria Crosses awarded since 1856 were bestowed upon the survivors of Rorke's Drift. Zulu was followed in 1979 by a "prequel" Zulu Dawn.

Filmed on a grand scale , Zulu is a rousing recreation of the January 22 , 1879 , siege of Rorke's Drift in Natal , Africa. An army of 4 , 000 Zulu warriors have already decimated a huge British garrison ; now they are on their way to the much smaller Rorke's Drift. A Royal Engineers officer ( Stanley Baker ) is determined to stand his ground , despite having only a skeleton garrison at his command. His steamroller tactics are constantly at odds with those of a by - the - book lieutenant ( Michael Caine ), who feels that a retreat is called for , but it becomes clear that if the garrison is to survive , they'd better pay heed. Jack Hawkins and Ulla Jacobsson are also on hand as an idealistic missionary and his somewhat more pragmatic daughter. Richard Burton provides the narration for Zulu , closing the film with the observation that 11 of the 1 , 344 Victoria Crosses awarded since 1856 were bestowed upon the survivors of Rorke's Drift. Zulu was followed in 1979 by a "prequel , " Zulu Dawn .

Norwegian director Nils Gaup used the landscape of Finland as his backdrop in Pathfinder. The story is set in 10th-century Lapland. Teen-aged Mikkel Gaup after watching his family being slaughtered by the bloodthirsty Tchude tribe takes refuge in a small peaceful village. He tries to warn the residents of the cruelties of the Tchudes; as a result half the villagers take to the hills while the other half elect to stay and stand their ground. The Tchudes make short work of the villagers then take Gaup prisoner. He pretends to agree to lead the Tchudes towards the other villagers but is able to turn the tables before it's too late. Inspired by an ancient legend Pathfinder is filmed in near-documentary fashion bringing the past so vividly alive that the audience is tempted to look over its shoulder to see if Tchudes are poised to attack in the lobby of the theatre. Though nominated for a best foreign picture Oscar in 1987 the film was not given a general US release until 1990.

Norwegian director Nils Gaup used the landscape of Finland as his backdrop in Pathfinder . The story is set in 10th - century Lapland. Teen - aged Mikkel Gaup , after watching his family being slaughtered by the bloodthirsty Tchude tribe , takes refuge in a small , peaceful village. He tries to warn the residents of the cruelties of the Tchudes ; as a result , half the villagers take to the hills , while the other half elect to stay and stand their ground. The Tchudes make short work of the villagers , then take Gaup prisoner. He pretends to agree to lead the Tchudes towards the other villagers , but is able to turn the tables before it's too late. Inspired by an ancient legend , Pathfinder is filmed in near - documentary fashion , bringing the past so vividly alive that the audience is tempted to look over its shoulder to see if Tchudes are poised to attack in the lobby of the theatre. Though nominated for a best foreign picture Oscar in 1987 , the film was not given a general US release until 1990.

The year is 1183. Like many a modern-day politician Britain's King Henry II (Peter O'Toole) finds it occasionally useful to take his wife out of mothballs and parade her before the public. Henry's Queen Eleanor (Katharine Hepburn) long exiled to a faraway castle is "invited" to join Henry and their three sons for a family reunion. In this way Henry hopes to maintain a stronghold on his Empire and to prevent the balance of power from shifting to Eleanor or to one of his sons: Richard the Lion-Hearted (Anthony Hopkins in his movie debut) Prince Geoffrey (John Castle) or Prince John (Nigel Terry). Also on hand for the get-together is Henry's mistress Princess Alais (Jane Merrow) -- who covets the King's influence -- and the Princess' brother King Philip of France (Timothy Dalton). Despite Henry's efforts to keep his wife and offspring at arms' length (and away from the throne) Eleanor successfully reunites the brood assuring that her power will not only be restored but will last long after her death.

The year is 1183. Like many a modern - day politician , Britain's King Henry II ( Peter O'Toole ) finds it occasionally useful to take his wife out of mothballs and parade her before the public. Henry's Queen Eleanor ( Katharine Hepburn ), long exiled to a faraway castle , is "invited" to join Henry and their three sons for a family reunion. In this way , Henry hopes to maintain a stronghold on his Empire and to prevent the balance of power from shifting to Eleanor or to one of his sons : Richard the Lion - Hearted ( Anthony Hopkins in his movie debut ), Prince Geoffrey ( John Castle ), or Prince John ( Nigel Terry ) . Also on hand for the get - together is Henry's mistress Princess Alais ( Jane Merrow ) -- who covets the King's influence -- and the Princess' brother , King Philip of France ( Timothy Dalton ) . Despite Henry's efforts to keep his wife and offspring at arms' length ( and away from the throne ), Eleanor successfully reunites the brood , assuring that her power will not only be restored , but will last long after her death.

Glory is a celebration of a little-known act of mass courage during the Civil War. Simply put the heroes involved have been ignored by history due to racism. Those heroes were the all-black members of the 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry headed by Col. Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick) the son of an influential abolitionist (played by an uncredited Jane Alexander). Despite the fact that the Civil War is ostensibly being fought on their behalf the black soldiers are denied virtually every privilege and amenity that is matter of course for their white counterparts; as in armies past and future they are given the most menial and demeaning of tasks. Still none of the soldiers quit the regiment when given the chance. The unofficial leaders of the group are gravedigger John Rawlins (Morgan Freeman) and fugitive slave Trip (Denzel Washington) respectively representing the brains and heart of the organization. The 54th acquit themselves valiantly at Fort Wagner SC charging a fortification manned by some 1000 Confederates. Glory was based on Lincoln Kirstein's Lay This Laurel and Peter Burchard's One Gallant Rush; the latter book was founded on the letters of Col. Robert Gould Shaw the real-life character played by Matthew Broderick. The film won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for co-star Denzel Washington and additional statuettes for Best Cinematography (Freddie Francis) and Sound Recording.

Glory is a celebration of a little - known act of mass courage during the Civil War. Simply put , the heroes involved have been ignored by history due to racism. Those heroes were the all - black members of the 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry , headed by Col. Robert Gould Shaw ( Matthew Broderick ), the son of an influential abolitionist ( played by an uncredited Jane Alexander ) . Despite the fact that the Civil War is ostensibly being fought on their behalf , the black soldiers are denied virtually every privilege and amenity that is matter of course for their white counterparts ; as in armies past and future , they are given the most menial and demeaning of tasks. Still , none of the soldiers quit the regiment when given the chance. The unofficial leaders of the group are gravedigger John Rawlins ( Morgan Freeman ) and fugitive slave Trip ( Denzel Washington ), respectively representing the brains and heart of the organization. The 54th acquit themselves valiantly at Fort Wagner , SC , charging a fortification manned by some 1 , 000 Confederates. Glory was based on Lincoln Kirstein 's Lay This Laurel and Peter Burchard 's One Gallant Rush ; the latter book was founded on the letters of Col. Robert Gould Shaw , the real - life character played by Matthew Broderick . The film won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for co - star Denzel Washington , and additional statuettes for Best Cinematography ( Freddie Francis ) and Sound Recording.

This is the autobiographical drama of a young Dutch Jewish girl hiding from the invading Nazis during World War II. Anne and her family share a claustrophobic attic with another family. Tension is often unbearable as the people hiding know that their discovery by the enemy could lead to almost certain death at the hands of their captors. They also must contend with the Dutch Gestapo or "Green Police" who will turn them over to the Nazis if discovered. Dutch nationals risk their lives by hiding the family for two years. The group despite the horror and crowded conditions still find time for celebrations of Hanukkah and rejoice quietly in the small attic that has become their world. The story is told from the narrative perspective of Anne a young girl hoping to live to womanhood. The film was nominated for several academy awards and won two for best supporting actress (Shelley Winters) and for cinematography (William Mellor).

This is the autobiographical drama of a young Dutch Jewish girl hiding from the invading Nazis during World War II. Anne and her family share a claustrophobic attic with another family. Tension is often unbearable , as the people hiding know that their discovery by the enemy could lead to almost certain death at the hands of their captors. They also must contend with the Dutch Gestapo or "Green Police , " who will turn them over to the Nazis if discovered. Dutch nationals risk their lives by hiding the family for two years. The group , despite the horror and crowded conditions , still find time for celebrations of Hanukkah and rejoice quietly in the small attic that has become their world. The story is told from the narrative perspective of Anne , a young girl hoping to live to womanhood. The film was nominated for several academy awards and won two for best supporting actress ( Shelley Winters ) and for cinematography ( William Mellor ) .

Adapted by Brian Moore from his own novel The Black Robe is a sprawling recreation of a turbelent period in Canadian history. In 1634 Jesuit missionary Father Laforgue (Lothair Bluteau) arrives in the New World hoping to convert the Huron Indian tribe to Catholicism-and incidentally to expedite the French colonization of Quebec. Laforgue is regarded with a combination of warmth and wariness by the natives who refer to Laforgue and his fellow priests as "black robes". Offering his services as both guide and friend is Algonquin chief Chomina (August Schellenberg). The by-the-book Laforgue does little to endear himself to the Indians-one of whom a holy man labels the priest as a demon who will bring nothing but death and destruction. The one who suffers most is Chomina the man who most desires peaceful coexistence. In an ironic coda we learn that the "black robes" have set into motion the fall of the Hurons simply by imposing their Christian values upon them. Black Robe has been compared to Dances with Wolves but the films do not share the same philosophy: while the idealistic hero of Wolves strives to understand and appreciate his new Indian comrades the pious protagonist of Black Robe has only conversion in mind.

Adapted by Brian Moore from his own novel , The Black Robe is a sprawling recreation of a turbelent period in Canadian history. In 1634 , Jesuit missionary Father Laforgue ( Lothair Bluteau ) arrives in the New World , hoping to convert the Huron Indian tribe to Catholicism - and , incidentally , to expedite the French colonization of Quebec. Laforgue is regarded with a combination of warmth and wariness by the natives , who refer to Laforgue and his fellow priests as "black robes". Offering his services as both guide and friend is Algonquin chief Chomina ( August Schellenberg ) . The by - the - book Laforgue does little to endear himself to the Indians - one of whom , a holy man , labels the priest as a demon who will bring nothing but death and destruction. The one who suffers most is Chomina , the man who most desires peaceful coexistence. In an ironic coda , we learn that the "black robes" have set into motion the fall of the Hurons , simply by imposing their Christian values upon them. Black Robe has been compared to Dances with Wolves , but the films do not share the same philosophy : while the idealistic hero of Wolves strives to understand and appreciate his new Indian comrades , the pious protagonist of Black Robe has only conversion in mind.

A high-class costume drama with a substantive historical basis Becket is the true story of the friendship between King Henry II (Peter O'Toole) and Thomas à Becket (Richard Burton) a royal courtier and confidant whom Henry appoints as Archbishop of Canterbury. As Becket takes his duties with the Church seriously he finds himself increasingly at odds with the King who finally orders the death of his once-close companion when he continues to defy the throne. Burton is very good and O'Toole is even better: both men were nominated for the Best Actor Oscar while Edward Anhalt's screenplay based on the stageplay by Jean Anouilh won for Best Adapted Screenplay. The basic theme of separation of church and state still reverberates today while the top-notch production values ensure Becket's place as one of Britain's better historical epics.

A high - class costume drama with a substantive historical basis , Becket is the true story of the friendship between King Henry II ( Peter O'Toole ) and Thomas à Becket ( Richard Burton ), a royal courtier and confidant whom Henry appoints as Archbishop of Canterbury. As Becket takes his duties with the Church seriously , he finds himself increasingly at odds with the King , who finally orders the death of his once - close companion when he continues to defy the throne. Burton is very good and O'Toole is even better : both men were nominated for the Best Actor Oscar , while Edward Anhalt 's screenplay , based on the stageplay by Jean Anouilh , won for Best Adapted Screenplay. The basic theme of separation of church and state still reverberates today , while the top - notch production values ensure Becket 's place as one of Britain's better historical epics.

The Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara becomes this sprawling historical epic. As in Shaara's novel director Ronald Maxwell focuses on a handful of major players to dramatize the events of July 1863 when the armies of the Union and Confederacy clash at the small Pennsylvania town of the title. Among them are Martin Sheen as General Robert E. Lee who disagrees with his top advisor General James Longstreet (Tom Berenger) over battle strategy and Jeff Daniels as Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain a college professor whose unorthodox techniques save the day (and possibly the war) for his beleaguered army. Other cast standouts include Richard Jordan in his final film appearance as the ill-fated General Lewis Armistead and cameo roles for Civil War buff Ken Burns and media mogul producer Ted Turner. Filmed on-location at Gettysburg National Military Park Gettysburg was shot as a television miniseries for Turner's TNT cable channel but earned a limited theatrical release.

The Pulitzer Prize - winning novel The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara becomes this sprawling historical epic. As in Shaara 's novel , director Ronald Maxwell focuses on a handful of major players to dramatize the events of July 1863 , when the armies of the Union and Confederacy clash at the small Pennsylvania town of the title. Among them are Martin Sheen as General Robert E. Lee , who disagrees with his top advisor , General James Longstreet ( Tom Berenger ) over battle strategy , and Jeff Daniels as Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain , a college professor whose unorthodox techniques save the day ( and possibly the war ) for his beleaguered army. Other cast standouts include Richard Jordan in his final film appearance as the ill - fated General Lewis Armistead , and cameo roles for Civil War buff Ken Burns and media mogul producer Ted Turner . Filmed on - location at Gettysburg National Military Park , Gettysburg was shot as a television miniseries for Turner 's TNT cable channel , but earned a limited theatrical release.

In 1963 this colossal and opulent $60 million spectacular was epic in every sense of the word -- an epic investment an epic in the annals of Hollywood gossip and ultimately an epic flop that nearly dragged 20th Century Fox down the Nile along with Cleopatra's barge. Handsomely mounted by Joseph L. Mankiewicz who replaced Rouben Mamoulian as director after six days of shooting) the drama follows the eighteen tumultuous years that led to the founding of the Roman Empire. Cleopatra (Elizabeth Taylor) meets up with Julius Caesar (Rex Harrison) and plans to lure Caesar to her boudoir in order to forge an alliance with Rome so that she may hold on to her Egyptian empire. When Caesar is stabbed to death in the Roman Senate Cleopatra is left without an ally and Egypt is up for grabs. When Roman general Mark Antony (Richard Burton) comes along she seduces him in order to make him over into her new protector. But under the charms of Cleopatra Mark Antony is reduced from a an awesome and dominating general to a sniveling drunken wimp. At the Battle of Actium Mark Antony is defeated and Cleopatra withdraws her troops dooming Mark Antony and his army. With Egypt in peril Antony and Cleopatra the doomed lovers meet each other for the last time as the enemy forces close in.

In 1963 , this colossal and opulent $60 million spectacular was epic in every sense of the word -- an epic investment , an epic in the annals of Hollywood gossip , and , ultimately , an epic flop that nearly dragged 20th Century Fox down the Nile along with Cleopatra's barge. Handsomely mounted by Joseph L. Mankiewicz , who replaced Rouben Mamoulian as director after six days of shooting ), the drama follows the eighteen tumultuous years that led to the founding of the Roman Empire. Cleopatra ( Elizabeth Taylor ) meets up with Julius Caesar ( Rex Harrison ) and plans to lure Caesar to her boudoir in order to forge an alliance with Rome so that she may hold on to her Egyptian empire. When Caesar is stabbed to death in the Roman Senate , Cleopatra is left without an ally , and Egypt is up for grabs. When Roman general Mark Antony ( Richard Burton ) comes along , she seduces him in order to make him over into her new protector. But , under the charms of Cleopatra , Mark Antony is reduced from a an awesome and dominating general to a sniveling , drunken wimp. At the Battle of Actium , Mark Antony is defeated and Cleopatra withdraws her troops , dooming Mark Antony and his army. With Egypt in peril , Antony and Cleopatra , the doomed lovers , meet each other for the last time , as the enemy forces close in.

Rasputin is a dramatization of the life story of one of the most intriguing figures in all history. A crude peasant from Siberia Rasputin (Alan Rickman) was a self-styled charismatic holy man who traveled widely openly engaging in drunkenness sexual indulgences and general debauchery. In the early part of the 20th century Rasputin made his way to the troubled Russian capital of St. Petersburg a hotbed of political discontent due to widespread poverty under a repressive government. There Rasputin met Czarina Alexandra (Greta Scacchi) and the film focuses on how he exercised power over her and her loving husband Czar Nicholas II (Ian McKellen) by virtue of his mystical ability to stop the bleeding of their hemophiliac son. But in a nation beset by internal and external problems Rasputin's uncouth presence at the opulent imperial court coupled with his scandalous antics around the capital came to symbolize the weak leadership of the czar. The movie goes on to show the tragic consequences that resulted from this volatile situation. Originally made for cable television the film features Emmy-winning performances by Rickman and Scacchi.

Rasputin is a dramatization of the life story of one of the most intriguing figures in all history. A crude peasant from Siberia , Rasputin ( Alan Rickman ) was a self - styled charismatic holy man who traveled widely , openly engaging in drunkenness , sexual indulgences , and general debauchery. In the early part of the 20th century Rasputin made his way to the troubled Russian capital of St. Petersburg , a hotbed of political discontent due to widespread poverty under a repressive government. There Rasputin met Czarina Alexandra ( Greta Scacchi ), and the film focuses on how he exercised power over her and her loving husband , Czar Nicholas II ( Ian McKellen ), by virtue of his mystical ability to stop the bleeding of their hemophiliac son. But in a nation beset by internal and external problems , Rasputin's uncouth presence at the opulent imperial court , coupled with his scandalous antics around the capital , came to symbolize the weak leadership of the czar. The movie goes on to show the tragic consequences that resulted from this volatile situation. Originally made for cable television , the film features Emmy - winning performances by Rickman and Scacchi .

Vanessa Redgrave stars as Mary Stuart of Scotland with Glenda Jackson co-starring as Queen Elizabeth I. As with the earlier Maxwell Anderson play Mary of Scotland the film sympathizes with Mary and there are two fictionalized face-to-face confrontations between the two queens (who never met in real life). With this film old-line Hollywood producer Hal Wallis continued his trademark of showcasing dynamic stars within a period milieu; the film is literally swamped with lavish Tudor decor.

Vanessa Redgrave stars as Mary Stuart of Scotland , with Glenda Jackson co - starring as Queen Elizabeth I. As with the earlier Maxwell Anderson play Mary of Scotland , the film sympathizes with Mary , and there are two fictionalized face - to - face confrontations between the two queens ( who never met in real life ) . With this film , old - line Hollywood producer Hal Wallis continued his trademark of showcasing dynamic stars within a period milieu ; the film is literally swamped with lavish Tudor decor.

Luchino Visconti (Count don Luchino Visconti di Modrone) was a film director true but he was also a nobleman and a grand patron of traditional European culture: opera art music crafts and literature. These interests enliven many of his films but few have been so inspired as the four-hour epic Ludwig about the castle-building "mad king" of Bavaria. This long film made very near the end of Visconti's life suffers greatly when shortened as every moment is essential to the story. There are at least four different versions of the film (from just under three hours to over four hours in length); the uncut four-hour version is the most coherent even though many might find it rather long. The disintegration of aristocratic individuals is a continuing theme of Visconti's though Ludwig's is the most thorough decay he filmed. The last ruling king of Bavaria (1845-1886) is noted for many things besides his eccentricities: he sold Bavaria to Germany ending the rule of the Bavarian monarchy; he built amazing castles all over his country (with the proceeds from the sale); and he was Richard Wagner's main sponsor. He was also a notorious recluse conducting a lifelong platonic love affair with Empress Elizabeth of Austria and finally succumbing to his adoration of handsome men in a series of outrageous affairs and orgies. His excesses eventually led to his being declared mentally incompetent and being held prisoner in his own castle. The film depicts this incredible life from his coronation at age 19 to his (unproved) assassination well over 20 years later.

Luchino Visconti ( Count don Luchino Visconti di Modrone ) was a film director , true , but he was also a nobleman and a grand patron of traditional European culture : opera , art , music , crafts and literature. These interests enliven many of his films , but few have been so inspired as the four - hour epic , Ludwig , about the castle - building "mad king" of Bavaria. This long film , made very near the end of Visconti 's life , suffers greatly when shortened , as every moment is essential to the story. There are at least four different versions of the film ( from just under three hours to over four hours in length ); the uncut four - hour version is the most coherent , even though many might find it rather long. The disintegration of aristocratic individuals is a continuing theme of Visconti 's , though Ludwig's is the most thorough decay he filmed. The last ruling king of Bavaria ( 1845 - 1886 ) is noted for many things besides his eccentricities : he sold Bavaria to Germany , ending the rule of the Bavarian monarchy ; he built amazing castles all over his country ( with the proceeds from the sale ); and he was Richard Wagner 's main sponsor. He was also a notorious recluse , conducting a lifelong platonic love affair with Empress Elizabeth of Austria , and finally succumbing to his adoration of handsome men in a series of outrageous affairs and orgies. His excesses eventually led to his being declared mentally incompetent and being held prisoner in his own castle. The film depicts this incredible life from his coronation at age 19 to his ( unproved ) assassination well over 20 years later.

Two years before director Derek Jarman died of AIDS he directed this extremely ambitious variation on Christopher Marlowe's 16th-century play. While Marlowe is the root of this film Jarman has taken a great deal of leeway with the manner of presentation. The story revolves around King Edward's open homosexuality which eventually led to his murder and succession. Instead of lush historical settings the film uses bare walls and dirt floors and puts the cast into smart suits. This "staginess" works to the advantage of Jarman's design and he takes every opportunity to anachronize. (For example Annie Lennox shows up to provide a lovely rendition of Cole Porter's "Every Time We Say Goodbye".) A striking film and a high point of Jarman's career.

Two years before director Derek Jarman died of AIDS , he directed this extremely ambitious variation on Christopher Marlowe's 16th - century play. While Marlowe is the root of this film , Jarman has taken a great deal of leeway with the manner of presentation. The story revolves around King Edward's open homosexuality , which eventually led to his murder and succession. Instead of lush historical settings , the film uses bare walls and dirt floors and puts the cast into smart suits. This "staginess" works to the advantage of Jarman 's design , and he takes every opportunity to anachronize. ( For example , Annie Lennox shows up to provide a lovely rendition of Cole Porter 's "Every Time We Say Goodbye". ) A striking film , and a high point of Jarman 's career.

In the early 1900s an American businessman was kidnapped by a rebellious Arab chieftain principally as a means to embarrass the sultan of Morocco. This abduction sparked the threat of armed intervention by President Theodore Roosevelt which was never carried out. In The Wind and the Lion the unattractive male captive is replaced by the gorgeous female Mrs. Pedecaris an American widow played by Candice Bergen. The ruthless but essentially decent Arab chief Raisuli is portrayed by Sean Connery while Teddy Roosevelt is depicted as a jingoistic blowhard by Brian Keith. The film's main theme -- that of America's emergence as a world power -- is largely secondary to the growing mutual-respect relationship between Mrs. Pedecaris and Raisuli. After releasing his hostage Raisuli is himself captured by German forces who at the behest of the Kaiser are seeking out methods of laying the groundwork for what would evolve into World War I. Mrs. Pedecaris must then help Raisuli escape.

In the early 1900s , an American businessman was kidnapped by a rebellious Arab chieftain , principally as a means to embarrass the sultan of Morocco. This abduction sparked the threat of armed intervention by President Theodore Roosevelt , which was never carried out. In The Wind and the Lion , the unattractive male captive is replaced by the gorgeous female Mrs. Pedecaris , an American widow played by Candice Bergen . The ruthless but essentially decent Arab chief Raisuli is portrayed by Sean Connery , while Teddy Roosevelt is depicted as a jingoistic blowhard by Brian Keith . The film's main theme -- that of America's emergence as a world power -- is largely secondary to the growing mutual - respect relationship between Mrs. Pedecaris and Raisuli. After releasing his hostage , Raisuli is himself captured by German forces , who at the behest of the Kaiser are seeking out methods of laying the groundwork for what would evolve into World War I. Mrs. Pedecaris must then help Raisuli escape.

Featuring a majestic score by Ennio Morricone and lush Oscar-winning cinematography by Chris Menges Roland Joffé's The Mission examines the events surrounding the Treaty of Madrid in 1750 when Spain ceded part of South America to Portugal and turns this episode into an allegory for the mid-'80s struggles of Latin America. Two European forces are on hand to win the South American natives over to imperialist ways. The plunderers want to extract riches and slaves from the New World. The missionaries on the other hand want to convert the Indians to Christianity and win over their souls. Mendoza (Robert De Niro) is an exploiter dabbling in the slave trade. But after he kills his brother Felipe (Aidan Quinn) in a fit of rage he seeks redemption and calls upon the missionaries to assist him. After repeatedly climbing a cliff with a heavy weight as penance Mendoza finds redemption and becomes a devout missionary at a settlement run by Gabriel (Jeremy Irons). The missionaries want to promote a new society in which the natives will live together in peace with the Spanish and the Portuguese. But this concept frightens the royal governors who would rather enslave the natives than encourage peaceful coexistence between the Europeans and the Indians. They order the mission to be burned to the ground. But this event causes a rift between Gabriel who wants to pray and pursue peaceful resistance and Mendoza who wants to take up arms and fight the Europeans.

Featuring a majestic score by Ennio Morricone and lush Oscar - winning cinematography by Chris Menges , Roland Joffé 's The Mission examines the events surrounding the Treaty of Madrid in 1750 , when Spain ceded part of South America to Portugal , and turns this episode into an allegory for the mid - '80s struggles of Latin America. Two European forces are on hand to win the South American natives over to imperialist ways. The plunderers want to extract riches and slaves from the New World. The missionaries , on the other hand , want to convert the Indians to Christianity and win over their souls. Mendoza ( Robert De Niro ) is an exploiter dabbling in the slave trade. But after he kills his brother Felipe ( Aidan Quinn ) in a fit of rage , he seeks redemption and calls upon the missionaries to assist him. After repeatedly climbing a cliff with a heavy weight as penance , Mendoza finds redemption and becomes a devout missionary at a settlement run by Gabriel ( Jeremy Irons ) . The missionaries want to promote a new society in which the natives will live together in peace with the Spanish and the Portuguese. But this concept frightens the royal governors , who would rather enslave the natives than encourage peaceful coexistence between the Europeans and the Indians. They order the mission to be burned to the ground. But this event causes a rift between Gabriel , who wants to pray and pursue peaceful resistance , and Mendoza , who wants to take up arms and fight the Europeans.

Lady Jane Grey the 16-year-old girl who for nine days in the 16th century was Queen of England is here portrayed by Helena Bonham Carter. Lady Jane Grey's sickly cousin who becomes Edward VI upon the death of Henry VIII is on the threshold of death himself. The Protestant powers-that-be fearing that England will fall under Catholic rule contrive to marry off Edward VI's most likely successor Lady Jane to the wastrelly Guilford Dudley (Cary Elwes) the future Duke of Suffolk. The dying Edward is coerced into naming Jane as his successor. Jane is forced to assume the throne attempting to impose reforms on the corrupt Protestant government during her brief reign. A coup led by Jane's cousin Princess Mary (Jane Lapotaire) results in the ouster and eventual execution of Queen Jane and her consort. The story is told through anti-establishment themes; teen-agers Lady Jane and Guilford Dudley are seen as the only hope for a brighter future making their deaths all the more tragic. An earlier version of the same story Tudor Rose was filmed in 1936.

Lady Jane Grey , the 16 - year - old girl who for nine days in the 16th century was Queen of England , is here portrayed by Helena Bonham Carter . Lady Jane Grey 's sickly cousin , who becomes Edward VI upon the death of Henry VIII , is on the threshold of death himself. The Protestant powers - that - be , fearing that England will fall under Catholic rule , contrive to marry off Edward VI 's most likely successor Lady Jane to the wastrelly Guilford Dudley ( Cary Elwes ), the future Duke of Suffolk. The dying Edward is coerced into naming Jane as his successor. Jane is forced to assume the throne , attempting to impose reforms on the corrupt Protestant government during her brief reign. A coup led by Jane 's cousin Princess Mary ( Jane Lapotaire ) results in the ouster , and eventual execution , of Queen Jane and her consort. The story is told through anti - establishment themes ; teen - agers Lady Jane and Guilford Dudley are seen as the only hope for a brighter future , making their deaths all the more tragic. An earlier version of the same story , Tudor Rose , was filmed in 1936.

Originally networkcast in three installments the 8-hour Blue and the Gray is a sprawling adaptation of a story concept by Civil War historian Bruce Catton. The drama begins in 1859 with young war correspondent-to-be John Hammond meeting future Union officer Stacy Keach at the trial of abolitionist John Brown (Sterling Hayden). They are reunited two years later during the presidential campaign of Abraham Lincoln (Gregory Peck) and are eyewitnesses at the battle of Bull Run. Keach marries Julia Duffy in 1862 while Virginia-born Hammond writes his dispatches from the Deep South. A subplot concerning a family torn by North/South loyalties is resolved just before Appomattox. The Blue and the Gray was first telecast November 14 16 and 17 1982.

Originally networkcast in three installments , the 8 - hour Blue and the Gray is a sprawling adaptation of a story concept by Civil War historian Bruce Catton . The drama begins in 1859 , with young war correspondent - to - be John Hammond meeting future Union officer Stacy Keach at the trial of abolitionist John Brown ( Sterling Hayden ) . They are reunited two years later during the presidential campaign of Abraham Lincoln ( Gregory Peck ) and are eyewitnesses at the battle of Bull Run. Keach marries Julia Duffy in 1862 , while Virginia - born Hammond writes his dispatches from the Deep South. A subplot concerning a family torn by North / South loyalties is resolved just before Appomattox. The Blue and the Gray was first telecast November 14 , 16 and 17 , 1982.

Anne of the Thousand Days is the belated film adaptation of Maxwell Anderson's 1948 stage play. The story concentrates on the romance between Britain's King Henry VIII (Richard Burton) and his ill-fated second wife Anne Boleyn (Genevieve Bujold). After holding out for marriage rather than an illegitimate union Anne marries Henry after he sheds himself of Katherine of Aragon -- causing a rift between the Crown and the Church in the process. Anne's inability to produce a male heir leads Henry to look about for other suitable mates. Henry's sinister right-hand man Cromwell (John Colicos) arranges for Anne to be condemned on a charge of adultery. She is beheaded while Henry disconsolately sits in Windsor Castle regretting this callous example of political expediency. Richard Burton is ideally cast in Anne of the Thousand Days but it is Genevieve Bujold who delivers the best most complex performance in the film.

Anne of the Thousand Days is the belated film adaptation of Maxwell Anderson 's 1948 stage play. The story concentrates on the romance between Britain's King Henry VIII ( Richard Burton ) and his ill - fated second wife Anne Boleyn ( Genevieve Bujold ) . After holding out for marriage rather than an illegitimate union , Anne marries Henry after he sheds himself of Katherine of Aragon -- causing a rift between the Crown and the Church in the process. Anne's inability to produce a male heir leads Henry to look about for other suitable mates. Henry's sinister right - hand man Cromwell ( John Colicos ) arranges for Anne to be condemned on a charge of adultery. She is beheaded , while Henry disconsolately sits in Windsor Castle , regretting this callous example of political expediency. Richard Burton is ideally cast in Anne of the Thousand Days , but it is Genevieve Bujold who delivers the best , most complex performance in the film.

This Steven Spielberg-directed exploration into a long-ago episode in African-American history recounts the trial that followed the 1839 rebellion aboard the Spanish slave ship Amistad and captures the complex political maneuverings set in motion by the event. Filmed in New England and Puerto Rico the 152-minute drama opens with a pre-credit sequence showing Cinque (Djimon Hounsou) and the other Africans in a violent takeover of the Amistad. Captured they are imprisoned in New England where former slave Theodore Joadson (Morgan Freeman) viewing the rebels as "freedom fighters" approaches property lawyer Baldwin (Matthew McConaughey) who attempts to prove the Africans were "stolen goods" because they were kidnapped. Running for re-election President Martin Van Buren (Nigel Hawthorne) overturns the lower court's decision in favor of the Africans. Former President John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins) is reluctant to become involved but when the case moves on to the Supreme Court Adams stirs emotions with a powerful defense. The storyline occasionally cuts away to Spain where the young Queen Isabella (Anna Paquin) plays with dolls; she later debated the Amistad case with seven U.S. presidents. The character portrayed by Morgan Freeman is a fictional composite of several historical figures. For authentic speech the Africans speak the Mende language subtitled during some scenes but not others.

This Steven Spielberg - directed exploration into a long - ago episode in African - American history recounts the trial that followed the 1839 rebellion aboard the Spanish slave ship Amistad and captures the complex political maneuverings set in motion by the event. Filmed in New England and Puerto Rico , the 152 - minute drama opens with a pre - credit sequence showing Cinque ( Djimon Hounsou ) and the other Africans in a violent takeover of the Amistad. Captured , they are imprisoned in New England where former slave Theodore Joadson ( Morgan Freeman ), viewing the rebels as "freedom fighters , " approaches property lawyer Baldwin ( Matthew McConaughey ), who attempts to prove the Africans were "stolen goods" because they were kidnapped. Running for re - election , President Martin Van Buren ( Nigel Hawthorne ) overturns the lower court's decision in favor of the Africans. Former President John Quincy Adams ( Anthony Hopkins ) is reluctant to become involved , but when the case moves on to the Supreme Court , Adams stirs emotions with a powerful defense. The storyline occasionally cuts away to Spain where the young Queen Isabella ( Anna Paquin ) plays with dolls ; she later debated the Amistad case with seven U.S. presidents. The character portrayed by Morgan Freeman is a fictional composite of several historical figures. For authentic speech , the Africans speak the Mende language , subtitled during some scenes but not others.

This 25-million dollar epic collaboration accurately recreates the events that led to the Japanese attack on the American naval base during World War II. With Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1 1939 the wheels are set in motion by Japan to plan the attack. After internal differences in the government the Japanese quickly mobilize plans for the assault. Key American personnel ignored warnings of the possibility of Japanese aggression. The first part of the film divides scenes from both countries. Part two contains spectacular battle scenes of the bombing that destroyed the American naval base of operations in Hawaii. Governmental errors on both sides add to the confusion but the Japanese ultimately carry out the deadly mission. The film did well in Japan did not do well in the he United States and took years to make back the production costs. It remains an insightful and well crafted World War II action drama that was the result of years of negotiations between the two countries.

This 25 - million dollar epic collaboration accurately recreates the events that led to the Japanese attack on the American naval base during World War II. With Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1 , 1939 , the wheels are set in motion by Japan to plan the attack. After internal differences in the government , the Japanese quickly mobilize plans for the assault. Key American personnel ignored warnings of the possibility of Japanese aggression. The first part of the film divides scenes from both countries. Part two contains spectacular battle scenes of the bombing that destroyed the American naval base of operations in Hawaii. Governmental errors on both sides add to the confusion , but the Japanese ultimately carry out the deadly mission. The film did well in Japan , did not do well in the he United States , and took years to make back the production costs. It remains an insightful and well crafted World War II action drama that was the result of years of negotiations between the two countries.

Nicholas and Alexandra covers the rise and fall of the last of the Russian Romanovs. We first meet Czar Nicholas (Michael Jayston) and his German bride Alexandra (Janet Suzman) at their 1894 wedding. Though Nicholas is devoted to Alexandra the Russian populace is less politely inclined to having a "foreigner" as their Czarina. Alexandra gains favor when she gives birth to the much-loved Prince Alexis (Roderick Noble). Alas Alexis suffers from hemophilia a disease which strikes every second generation of Alexandra's family. When all conventional medical ministrations fail Alexandra puts the fate of her son in the hands of mystical holy man Rasputin (Tom Baker later famous for his portrayal of Doctor Who). As Rasputin's influence and power grows the Russian peasantry becomes more restless and disgruntled. They are now willing to listen to the speeches of such rabble-rousers as Lenin (Michael Bryant) and Trotsky (Brian Cox) who sow the seeds of revolution. Even after the murder of Rasputin the Bolsheviks are unsatisfied: The revolution finally comes to pass in October of 1917. At first the moderate Kerensky (John McEnery) pleads with his followers to allow the Romanovs safe passage out of Russia. But the radicals seize control and on July 16 1918 the royal family is summarily executed.

Nicholas and Alexandra covers the rise and fall of the last of the Russian Romanovs. We first meet Czar Nicholas ( Michael Jayston ) and his German bride Alexandra ( Janet Suzman ) at their 1894 wedding. Though Nicholas is devoted to Alexandra , the Russian populace is less politely inclined to having a "foreigner" as their Czarina. Alexandra gains favor when she gives birth to the much - loved Prince Alexis ( Roderick Noble ) . Alas , Alexis suffers from hemophilia , a disease which strikes every second generation of Alexandra's family. When all conventional medical ministrations fail , Alexandra puts the fate of her son in the hands of mystical holy man Rasputin ( Tom Baker , later famous for his portrayal of Doctor Who ) . As Rasputin's influence and power grows , the Russian peasantry becomes more restless and disgruntled. They are now willing to listen to the speeches of such rabble - rousers as Lenin ( Michael Bryant ) and Trotsky ( Brian Cox ), who sow the seeds of revolution. Even after the murder of Rasputin , the Bolsheviks are unsatisfied : The revolution finally comes to pass in October of 1917. At first , the moderate Kerensky ( John McEnery ) pleads with his followers to allow the Romanovs safe passage out of Russia. But the radicals seize control , and on July 16 , 1918 , the royal family is summarily executed.

Steal This Movie! is a dramatic account of the tumultuous life and times of Abbie Hoffman one of the most visible and influential figures of America's 1960s counter-culture. (Its title was inspired by Hoffman's irreverent "survival guide" Steal This Book.) Hoffman's founding of the Youth International Party (better known as the "Yippies") and inventive acts of street theater -- including an "exorcism" of the Pentagon and the riotous protests at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago -- made him a household name and a star of the anti-war movement. They also earned him enemies and he was eventually arrested for trying to sell cocaine to an undercover cop a bust that he contended was a set-up meant to discredit him. Rather than face a long prison sentence Hoffman went underground leaving behind his wife and children and posing as "Barry Freed" who became a respected environmental activist. In time Freed acknowledged that he was Hoffman spent two months in jail and returned to activism full-time until his 1989 death. Steal This Movie stars Vincent D'Onofrio as Hoffman Janeane Garofalo as his wife Anita Kevin Corrigan as Jerry Rubin Troy Garity as Tom Hayden and Jeanne Tripplehorn as Joanna Lawrenson who became romantically involved with Barry Freed.

Steal This Movie! is a dramatic account of the tumultuous life and times of Abbie Hoffman , one of the most visible and influential figures of America's 1960s counter - culture. ( Its title was inspired by Hoffman's irreverent "survival guide , " Steal This Book . ) Hoffman's founding of the Youth International Party ( better known as the "Yippies" ) and inventive acts of street theater -- including an "exorcism" of the Pentagon and the riotous protests at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago -- made him a household name and a star of the anti - war movement. They also earned him enemies , and he was eventually arrested for trying to sell cocaine to an undercover cop , a bust that he contended was a set - up meant to discredit him. Rather than face a long prison sentence , Hoffman went underground , leaving behind his wife and children and posing as "Barry Freed , " who became a respected environmental activist. In time , Freed acknowledged that he was Hoffman , spent two months in jail , and returned to activism full - time until his 1989 death. Steal This Movie stars Vincent D'Onofrio as Hoffman , Janeane Garofalo as his wife Anita , Kevin Corrigan as Jerry Rubin , Troy Garity as Tom Hayden , and Jeanne Tripplehorn as Joanna Lawrenson , who became romantically involved with Barry Freed.

This is a long-awaited film telling the story of the trials of Medgar Evers' killer. Medger Evers (James Pickens Jr.) was a black civil-rights activist in Mississippi who was shot to death in 1963. Despite very persuasive evidence that Byron De La Beckwith (James Woods) was indeed his killer the all-white juries hearing his case at that time acquitted him (he was tried twice). In this film with the aid of Ever's widow Myrlie (Whoopie Goldberg) Bobby DeLaughter (Alec Baldwin) a young lawyer gathers enough new evidence to bring Beckwith in for a third trial. Woods' performance as a wise-cracking bigot is one of the film's highlights.

This is a long - awaited film telling the story of the trials of Medgar Evers' killer. Medger Evers ( James Pickens , Jr. ) was a black civil - rights activist in Mississippi who was shot to death in 1963. Despite very persuasive evidence that Byron De La Beckwith ( James Woods ) was indeed his killer , the all - white juries hearing his case at that time acquitted him ( he was tried twice ) . In this film , with the aid of Ever's widow Myrlie ( Whoopie Goldberg ), Bobby DeLaughter ( Alec Baldwin ), a young lawyer , gathers enough new evidence to bring Beckwith in for a third trial. Woods ' performance as a wise - cracking bigot is one of the film's highlights.

est known for their historical epics that examine class and social issues in British life through a thick lens of tasteful production design and good manners director James Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant set their sights on an American protagonist for a change with Jefferson in Paris. As the title suggests Jefferson in Paris deals with the five years that Thomas Jefferson (Nick Nolte) spent as U.S. ambassador to France prior to the French Revolution; while Jefferson is sympathetic to the revolutionary forces in France he's become well enough acquainted with the ruling aristocracy that he finds himself torn between the two sides of the issue. Jefferson a recent widower also becomes friends with Maria Cosway (Greta Scacchi) who is married to a foppish British artist; while it's obvious the two are in love neither is in a position to do anything about their infatuation. And while Jefferson's daughter Patsy (Gwyneth Paltrow) loves her father she's very upset with him when he sends her to a convent school. In this midst of this personal turmoil Jefferson's younger daughter Polly (Estelle Eonnet) arrives in Paris with her slave Sally Hemmings (Thandie Newton) in tow. Attractive and bright (if uneducated) Sally catches Jefferson's eye and a friendship develops that grows into something deeper; in time Sally becomes pregnant and her family claims that Jefferson is the father. At the time Jefferson In Paris was released the question of Sally Hemmings' relationship with Thomas Jefferson was a matter of lively historical debate; since then genetic evidence has shown that while Jefferson's paternity can't be proved beyond a doubt it is likely that he did father children with Hemmings.

Best known for their historical epics that examine class and social issues in British life through a thick lens of tasteful production design and good manners , director James Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant set their sights on an American protagonist for a change with Jefferson in Paris . As the title suggests , Jefferson in Paris deals with the five years that Thomas Jefferson ( Nick Nolte ) spent as U.S. ambassador to France prior to the French Revolution ; while Jefferson is sympathetic to the revolutionary forces in France , he's become well enough acquainted with the ruling aristocracy that he finds himself torn between the two sides of the issue. Jefferson , a recent widower , also becomes friends with Maria Cosway ( Greta Scacchi ), who is married to a foppish British artist ; while it's obvious the two are in love , neither is in a position to do anything about their infatuation. And while Jefferson's daughter Patsy ( Gwyneth Paltrow ) loves her father , she's very upset with him when he sends her to a convent school. In this midst of this personal turmoil , Jefferson's younger daughter Polly ( Estelle Eonnet ) arrives in Paris , with her slave Sally Hemmings ( Thandie Newton ) in tow. Attractive and bright ( if uneducated ), Sally catches Jefferson's eye , and a friendship develops that grows into something deeper ; in time , Sally becomes pregnant , and her family claims that Jefferson is the father. At the time Jefferson In Paris was released , the question of Sally Hemmings' relationship with Thomas Jefferson was a matter of lively historical debate ; since then , genetic evidence has shown that , while Jefferson 's paternity can't be proved beyond a doubt , it is likely that he did father children with Hemmings.

Except for the omission of several passages in the original play this 1970 adaptation of Julius Caesar faithfully retells Shakespeare's account of events surrounding the assassination of Caesar in 44 B.C. The film begins when Caesar John Gielgud is at the height of his power after conquering Pompey "the Great" in a civil war. Important senators worry that Caesar means to become king diminish their power and abolish their beloved Roman republic. Two senators Cassius Richard Johnson and Brutus Jason Robards hatch an assassination plot involving other disenchanted Roman citizens. Although a soothsayer warns Caesar of trouble ("Beware the ides of March") and his own wife reports ominous signs ("A lioness hath whelped in the streets; and graves have yawn'd and yielded up their dead") Caesar decides to go to the senate on the ides (March 15). Upon arrival the conspirators greet him with daggers. In his funeral oration Mark Antony Charlton Heston extols Caesar and incites the citizens against Brutus and the other conspirators. Brutus and Cassius flee Rome with their armies but Antony and two other sympathizers track them down with their armies. When the tide turns against the conspirators Brutus and Cassius commit suicide. As does Shakespeare's play the film leaves the discerning viewer wondering who was the real villain -- Caesar because of his ambition for power or Brutus because of his underhanded plot to maintain the status quo.

Except for the omission of several passages in the original play , this 1970 adaptation of Julius Caesar faithfully retells Shakespeare's account of events surrounding the assassination of Caesar in 44 B.C. The film begins when Caesar John Gielgud is at the height of his power after conquering Pompey "the Great" in a civil war. Important senators worry that Caesar means to become king , diminish their power , and abolish their beloved Roman republic. Two senators , Cassius Richard Johnson and Brutus Jason Robards , hatch an assassination plot involving other disenchanted Roman citizens. Although a soothsayer warns Caesar of trouble ( "Beware the ides of March" ) and his own wife reports ominous signs ( "A lioness hath whelped in the streets ; and graves have yawn'd , and yielded up their dead" ), Caesar decides to go to the senate on the ides ( March 15 ) . Upon arrival , the conspirators greet him with daggers. In his funeral oration , Mark Antony Charlton Heston extols Caesar and incites the citizens against Brutus and the other conspirators. Brutus and Cassius flee Rome with their armies , but Antony and two other sympathizers track them down with their armies. When the tide turns against the conspirators , Brutus and Cassius commit suicide. As does Shakespeare's play , the film leaves the discerning viewer wondering who was the real villain -- Caesar , because of his ambition for power , or Brutus , because of his underhanded plot to maintain the status quo.

This lavish big-budget epic was the pinnacle of a uniquely Italian subgenre the historical hardcore gore/porn extravaganza. The star-studded cast perhaps lured by the high-profile involvement of producer Bob Guccione and screenwriter Gore Vidal includes such luminaries as John Gielgud Peter O'Toole and Helen Mirren. Director Tinto Brass whose similar treatment of Nazi Germany in Salon Kitty won him the job did his best with the mammoth enterprise but numerous production problems and re-edits took their toll on the finished product. When Caligula works best it works because of Malcolm McDowell whose crazed portrayal of the title Emperor is the embodiment of villainous corruption. McDowell raises his performance level to match the gaudy spectacle around him which led to charges of overacting but there are moments when he is absolutely riveting. Some of the cast doesn't fare as well as O'Toole makes a particularly unsubtle Tiberius. The sex is graphic and steamy particularly a feverish lesbian interlude between Penthouse Pets Lori Wagner and Marjorie Thorsen (using the pseudonym "Anneka di Lorenzo") and the various carnival freaks used as atmosphere imbue the film with a grotesque Fellini-like opulence. There are many memorable scenes and a magnificent score by Paul Clemente but the heady brew of historical epic hardcore sex and gory violence proved overwhelming to many viewers. Still Gore Vidal's script is surprisingly accurate and manages to be entertainingly vulgar while bringing a rather loathsome slice of human history to vivid life warts and all. The more explicit scenes were directed by Bob Guccione and Giancarlo Lui causing both Vidal and Brass to remove their names from the credits.

This lavish big - budget epic was the pinnacle of a uniquely Italian subgenre , the historical hardcore gore / porn extravaganza. The star - studded cast , perhaps lured by the high - profile involvement of producer Bob Guccione and screenwriter Gore Vidal , includes such luminaries as John Gielgud , Peter O'Toole , and Helen Mirren . Director Tinto Brass , whose similar treatment of Nazi Germany in Salon Kitty won him the job , did his best with the mammoth enterprise , but numerous production problems and re - edits took their toll on the finished product. When Caligula works best , it works because of Malcolm McDowell , whose crazed portrayal of the title Emperor is the embodiment of villainous corruption. McDowell raises his performance level to match the gaudy spectacle around him , which led to charges of overacting , but there are moments when he is absolutely riveting. Some of the cast doesn't fare as well , as O'Toole makes a particularly unsubtle Tiberius. The sex is graphic and steamy , particularly a feverish lesbian interlude between Penthouse Pets Lori Wagner and Marjorie Thorsen ( using the pseudonym "Anneka di Lorenzo" ), and the various carnival freaks used as atmosphere imbue the film with a grotesque , Fellini - like opulence. There are many memorable scenes and a magnificent score by Paul Clemente , but the heady brew of historical epic , hardcore sex , and gory violence proved overwhelming to many viewers. Still , Gore Vidal 's script is surprisingly accurate , and manages to be entertainingly vulgar while bringing a rather loathsome slice of human history to vivid life , warts and all. The more explicit scenes were directed by Bob Guccione and Giancarlo Lui , causing both Vidal and Brass to remove their names from the credits.

Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is no ordinary archeologist. When we first see him he is somewhere in the Peruvian jungle in 1936 running a booby-trapped gauntlet (complete with an over-sized rolling boulder) to fetch a solid-gold idol. He loses this artifact to his chief rival a French archeologist named Belloq (Paul Freeman) who then prepares to kill our hero. In the first of many serial-like escapes Indy eludes Belloq by hopping into a convenient plane. So then: is Indiana Jones afraid of anything? Yes snakes. The next time we see Jones he's a soft-spoken bespectacled professor. He is then summoned from his ivy-covered environs by Marcus Brody (Denholm Elliott) to find the long-lost Ark of the Covenant. The Nazis it seems are already searching for the Ark which the mystical-minded Hitler hopes to use to make his stormtroopers invincible. But to find the Ark Indy must first secure a medallion kept under the protection of Indy's old friend Abner Ravenwood whose daughter Marion (Karen Allen) evidently has a "history" with Jones. Whatever their personal differences Indy and Marion become partners in one action-packed adventure after another ranging from wandering the snake pits of the Well of Souls to surviving the pyrotechnic unearthing of the sacred Ark. A joint project of Hollywood prodigies George Lucas and Steven Spielberg with a script co-written by Lawrence Kasdan and Philip Kaufman among others Raiders of the Lost Ark is not so much a movie as a 115-minute thrill ride. Costing 22 million dollars (nearly three times the original estimate) Raiders of the Lost Ark reaped 200 million dollars during its first run. It was followed by Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1985) and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) as well as a short-lived TV-series "prequel."

Indiana Jones ( Harrison Ford ) is no ordinary archeologist. When we first see him , he is somewhere in the Peruvian jungle in 1936 , running a booby - trapped gauntlet ( complete with an over - sized rolling boulder ) to fetch a solid - gold idol. He loses this artifact to his chief rival , a French archeologist named Belloq ( Paul Freeman ), who then prepares to kill our hero. In the first of many serial - like escapes , Indy eludes Belloq by hopping into a convenient plane. So , then : is Indiana Jones afraid of anything? Yes , snakes. The next time we see Jones , he's a soft - spoken , bespectacled professor. He is then summoned from his ivy - covered environs by Marcus Brody ( Denholm Elliott ) to find the long - lost Ark of the Covenant. The Nazis , it seems , are already searching for the Ark , which the mystical - minded Hitler hopes to use to make his stormtroopers invincible. But to find the Ark , Indy must first secure a medallion kept under the protection of Indy's old friend Abner Ravenwood , whose daughter , Marion ( Karen Allen ), evidently has a "history" with Jones. Whatever their personal differences , Indy and Marion become partners in one action - packed adventure after another , ranging from wandering the snake pits of the Well of Souls to surviving the pyrotechnic unearthing of the sacred Ark. A joint project of Hollywood prodigies George Lucas and Steven Spielberg , with a script co - written by Lawrence Kasdan and Philip Kaufman , among others , Raiders of the Lost Ark is not so much a movie as a 115 - minute thrill ride. Costing 22 million dollars ( nearly three times the original estimate ), Raiders of the Lost Ark reaped 200 million dollars during its first run. It was followed by Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom ( 1985 ) and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade ( 1989 ), as well as a short - lived TV - series "prequel."

ased on William Goldman's novel of the same name The Princess Bride is staged as a book read by grandfather (Peter Falk) to his ill grandson (Fred Savage). Falk's character assures a romance-weary Savage that the book has much more to deliver than a simpering love story including but not limited to fencing fighting torture death true love giants and pirates. Indeed The Princess Bride offers a tongue-in-cheek fairy tale depicting stable boy-turned-pirate Westley's journey to rescue Buttercup (Robin Wright) his true love away from the evil prince (Chris Sarandon) whom she had agreed to marry five years after learning of what she had believed to be news of Westley's death. With help from Prince Humperdinck's disgruntled former employee Miracle Max (Billy Crystal) swordsman Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) and a very large man named Fezzik (Andre the Giant) the star-crossed lovers are reunited.

Based on William Goldman 's novel of the same name , The Princess Bride is staged as a book read by grandfather ( Peter Falk ) to his ill grandson ( Fred Savage ) . Falk 's character assures a romance - weary Savage that the book has much more to deliver than a simpering love story , including but not limited to fencing , fighting , torture , death , true love , giants , and pirates. Indeed , The Princess Bride offers a tongue - in - cheek fairy tale depicting stable boy - turned - pirate Westley's journey to rescue Buttercup ( Robin Wright ), his true love , away from the evil prince ( Chris Sarandon ), whom she had agreed to marry five years after learning of what she had believed to be news of Westley's death. With help from Prince Humperdinck's disgruntled former employee Miracle Max ( Billy Crystal ), swordsman Inigo Montoya ( Mandy Patinkin ), and a very large man named Fezzik ( Andre the Giant ), the star - crossed lovers are reunited.

This kung fu classic weaving fact and myth earned a theatrical release in the U.S. from Miramax eight years after it was produced following a successful retrospective screening at the 2001 Los Angeles Film Festival. Wong Kei Ying (Donnie Yen) is a master of the Hung Gar style of boxing in mid-19th century China. His son Wong Fei Hung (Sze-Man Tsang) though still just a boy will grow up to become a martial arts legend a nearly mythical figure in Chinese history. When Wong Fei Hung is kidnapped his father is forced to use his daunting skills in the service of the abductor a dishonest politician plagued by the Robin Hood-style thief known as Iron Monkey a mysterious masked avenger stealing from the rich delivering the spoils to the poor. Wong Fei Hung's only allies are the kindly Dr. Yang (Yu Rong Guang) and Yang's assistant Orchid (Jean Wang) who are protecting an important secret. Iron Monkey (1993) director Yuen Wo Ping is also the masterful martial arts choreographer behind The Matrix (1999) and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000); his father served as action choreographer on a series of popular long-running films centered around the Wong Fei Hung character in the 1950s.

This kung fu classic weaving fact and myth earned a theatrical release in the U.S. from Miramax eight years after it was produced , following a successful retrospective screening at the 2001 Los Angeles Film Festival . Wong Kei Ying ( Donnie Yen ) is a master of the Hung Gar style of boxing in mid - 19th century China. His son , Wong Fei Hung ( Sze - Man Tsang ), though still just a boy , will grow up to become a martial arts legend , a nearly mythical figure in Chinese history. When Wong Fei Hung is kidnapped , his father is forced to use his daunting skills in the service of the abductor , a dishonest politician plagued by the Robin Hood - style thief known as Iron Monkey , a mysterious masked avenger stealing from the rich , delivering the spoils to the poor. Wong Fei Hung's only allies are the kindly Dr. Yang ( Yu Rong Guang ) and Yang's assistant , Orchid ( Jean Wang ), who are protecting an important secret. Iron Monkey ( 1993 ) director Yuen Wo Ping is also the masterful martial arts choreographer behind The Matrix ( 1999 ) and Crouching Tiger , Hidden Dragon ( 2000 ); his father served as action choreographer on a series of popular , long - running films centered around the Wong Fei Hung character in the 1950s.

Though generally unknown to Western audiences Tsui Hark is considered a giant among Asian filmmakers and this exceptional epic combining hard-hitting martial-arts action with romance comedy history genuine poignance and sharp insight into the effects of the century-long encroachment of Western civilization in Asia more than amply demonstrates why. The story centers on the exploits of Master Wong Fei-hung (a familiar figure in Hong Kong cinema) a 19th-century doctor Confucian and exceptional martial artist. As the film begins he has just opened a new clinic in Canton Province. To help him with patients he hires a few apprentices including Porky Lang (the comic relief) and Buck Teeth Sol who was raised outside China and barely can speak the language. Wong is platonically involved with the lovely worldly Aunt Yee who has been abroad most of her life. Wong soon gets in trouble when he begins using his skills to protect and assist the poor and helpless in his community. As a result someone torches his clinic forcing Wong and his compadres to set off and get spectacularly staged revenge. They also try vainly to stop Western culture from changing traditional Chinese ways but they soon find that they may as well be shoveling sand against a rising tide.

Though generally unknown to Western audiences , Tsui Hark is considered a giant among Asian filmmakers and this exceptional epic , combining hard - hitting martial - arts action with romance , comedy , history , genuine poignance , and sharp insight into the effects of the century - long encroachment of Western civilization in Asia more than amply demonstrates why. The story centers on the exploits of Master Wong Fei - hung ( a familiar figure in Hong Kong cinema ) a 19th - century doctor , Confucian , and exceptional martial artist. As the film begins , he has just opened a new clinic in Canton Province. To help him with patients , he hires a few apprentices including Porky Lang ( the comic relief ) and Buck Teeth Sol , who was raised outside China and barely can speak the language. Wong is platonically involved with the lovely , worldly Aunt Yee , who has been abroad most of her life. Wong soon gets in trouble when he begins using his skills to protect and assist the poor and helpless in his community. As a result , someone torches his clinic , forcing Wong and his compadres to set off and get spectacularly staged revenge. They also try vainly to stop Western culture from changing traditional Chinese ways , but they soon find that they may as well be shoveling sand against a rising tide.

German filmmaker Werner Herzog has never done anything by halves. When Herzog tackled Fitzcarraldo the story of an obsessed impresario (Klaus Kinski) whose foremost desire in life is to bring both Enrico Caruso and an opera house to the deepest jungles of South America the director boldly embarked on the same journey disdaining studios process shots and special effects throughout. The highlight of the story is Fizcarraldo's Herculean effort to haul a 300-plus ton steamship over the mountains. No trickery was used in filming this grueling sequence and stories still persist of disgruntled South American film technicians awaiting the opportunity to strangle Herzog if he ever sets foot on their land again. In the end Herzog proved to be as driven and single-purposed as his protagonist and it is the audience's knowledge of this that adds to the excitement of Fitzcarraldo.

German filmmaker Werner Herzog has never done anything by halves. When Herzog tackled Fitzcarraldo , the story of an obsessed impresario ( Klaus Kinski ) whose foremost desire in life is to bring both Enrico Caruso and an opera house to the deepest jungles of South America , the director boldly embarked on the same journey , disdaining studios , process shots , and special effects throughout. The highlight of the story is Fizcarraldo's Herculean effort to haul a 300 - plus ton steamship over the mountains. No trickery was used in filming this grueling sequence , and stories still persist of disgruntled South American film technicians awaiting the opportunity to strangle Herzog if he ever sets foot on their land again. In the end , Herzog proved to be as driven and single - purposed as his protagonist , and it is the audience's knowledge of this that adds to the excitement of Fitzcarraldo .

Razzle-dazzle showman Michael Todd hocked everything he had to make this spectacular presentation of Jules Verne's 1872 novel Around the World in 80 Days the second film to be lensed in the wide-screen Todd-AO production. Nearly as fascinating as the finished product are the many in-production anecdotes concerning Todd's efforts to pull the wool over the eyes of local authorities in order to cadge the film's round-the-world location shots--not to mention the wheeling and dealing to convince over forty top celebrities to appear in cameo roles. David Niven heads the huge cast as ultra-precise supremely punctual Phileas Fogg who places a 20000-pound wager with several fellow members of London Reform Club insisting that he can go around the world in eighty days (this remember is 1872). Together with his resourceful valet Passepartout (Cantinflas) Fogg sets out on his world-girdling journey from Paris via balloon. Meanwhile suspicion grows that Fogg has stolen his 20000 pounds from Bank of England. Diligent Inspector Fix (Robert Newton) is sent out by the bank's president (Robert Morley) to bring Fogg to justice. Hopscotching around the globe Fogg pauses in Spain where Passepartout engages in a comic bullfight (a specialty of Cantinflas). In India Fogg and Passepartout rescue young widow Princess Aouda (Shirley MacLaine in her third film) from being forced into committing suicide so that she may join her late husband. The threesome visit Hong Kong Japan San Francisco and the Wild West. Only hours short of winning his wager Fogg is arrested by the diligent Inspector Fixx. Though exonerated of the bank robbery charges he has lost everything--except the love of the winsome Aouda. But salvation is at hand when Passepartout discovers that by crossing the International Date Line there's still time to reach the Reform Club. Will they make it? See for yourself. Among the film's 46 guest stars the most memorable include Marlene Dietrich Charles Boyer Jose Greco Frank Sinatra Peter Lorre Red Skelton Buster Keaton John Mills and Beatrice Lillie. All were paid in barter--Ronald Colman did his brief bit for a new car. Newscaster Edward R. Murrow provides opening narration and there's a tantalizing clip from Georges Méliès' A Trip to the Moon (1902). Offering a little something for everyone Around the World in 80 Days is nothing less than an extravaganza and it won 5 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Cinematography.

Razzle - dazzle showman Michael Todd hocked everything he had to make this spectacular presentation of Jules Verne 's 1872 novel Around the World in 80 Days , the second film to be lensed in the wide - screen Todd - AO production. Nearly as fascinating as the finished product are the many in - production anecdotes concerning Todd 's efforts to pull the wool over the eyes of local authorities in order to cadge the film's round - the - world location shots -- not to mention the wheeling and dealing to convince over forty top celebrities to appear in cameo roles. David Niven heads the huge cast as ultra - precise , supremely punctual Phileas Fogg , who places a 20 , 000 - pound wager with several fellow members of London Reform Club , insisting that he can go around the world in eighty days ( this , remember , is 1872 ) . Together with his resourceful valet Passepartout ( Cantinflas ), Fogg sets out on his world - girdling journey from Paris via balloon. Meanwhile , suspicion grows that Fogg has stolen his 20 , 000 pounds from Bank of England. Diligent Inspector Fix ( Robert Newton ) is sent out by the bank's president ( Robert Morley ) to bring Fogg to justice. Hopscotching around the globe , Fogg pauses in Spain , where Passepartout engages in a comic bullfight ( a specialty of Cantinflas ) . In India , Fogg and Passepartout rescue young widow Princess Aouda ( Shirley MacLaine , in her third film ) from being forced into committing suicide so that she may join her late husband. The threesome visit Hong Kong , Japan , San Francisco , and the Wild West. Only hours short of winning his wager , Fogg is arrested by the diligent Inspector Fixx. Though exonerated of the bank robbery charges , he has lost everything -- except the love of the winsome Aouda. But salvation is at hand when Passepartout discovers that , by crossing the International Date Line , there's still time to reach the Reform Club. Will they make it? See for yourself. Among the film's 46 guest stars , the most memorable include Marlene Dietrich , Charles Boyer , Jose Greco , Frank Sinatra , Peter Lorre , Red Skelton , Buster Keaton , John Mills , and Beatrice Lillie . All were paid in barter -- Ronald Colman did his brief bit for a new car. Newscaster Edward R. Murrow provides opening narration , and there's a tantalizing clip from Georges Méliès ' A Trip to the Moon ( 1902 ) . Offering a little something for everyone , Around the World in 80 Days is nothing less than an extravaganza , and it won 5 Oscars , including Best Picture and Best Cinematography.

The 18th century Scottish legend of Robert Roy MacGregor comes to life in this stylish adaptation of the swashbuckling novel by Sir Walter Scott. Liam Neeson stars as the title character a cattle drover and proud head of a Highlands clan who takes a one thousand pound loan from the royal Marquis of Montrose (John Hurt) in order to make a profit on some livestock that will keep his struggling people alive through the coming winter. One of the Marquis' henchmen wily expert swordsman Archibald Cunningham (Tim Roth) learns of the loan from the nobleman's factor Killearn (Brian Cox) and steals the money by murdering Rob Roy's best friend MacDonald (Eric Stoltz). Unable to repay the loan and unwilling to give up his land Rob Roy becomes a fugitive hunted by none other than Cunningham who rapes Rob Roy's wife Mary (Jessica Lange). Scotch-British politics come to a boil over the Rob Roy affair leading to an officially sanctioned showdown between the stoic farmer and Cunningham.

The 18th century Scottish legend of Robert Roy MacGregor comes to life in this stylish adaptation of the swashbuckling novel by Sir Walter Scott . Liam Neeson stars as the title character , a cattle drover and proud head of a Highlands clan who takes a one thousand pound loan from the royal Marquis of Montrose ( John Hurt ) in order to make a profit on some livestock that will keep his struggling people alive through the coming winter. One of the Marquis' henchmen , wily expert swordsman Archibald Cunningham ( Tim Roth ) learns of the loan from the nobleman's factor , Killearn ( Brian Cox ), and steals the money by murdering Rob Roy 's best friend MacDonald ( Eric Stoltz ) . Unable to repay the loan and unwilling to give up his land , Rob Roy becomes a fugitive , hunted by none other than Cunningham , who rapes Rob Roy 's wife Mary ( Jessica Lange ) . Scotch - British politics come to a boil over the Rob Roy affair , leading to an officially sanctioned showdown between the stoic farmer and Cunningham.

Mike Newell directs Jim Sheridan's screenplay (based on a story by Tim Palmer) in this enchanting and magical modern-day fairy tale. Gabriel Byrne plays Papa Reilly a widower who lives with his two young sons Ossie (Ciaran Fitzgerald) and Tito (Ruaidhri Conroy) in the slums of Dublin. There seems to be no hope for their bleak existence until the children's grandfather (David Kelly) arrives. Accompanying him is a beautiful and imposing white stallion named Tir na nOg a magical creature from ancient Irish legends. The stallion takes a shine to the boys and they love the horse in return. But a legion of corrupt police plot to impound the horse for the purpose of selling it to a rich businessman. Ossie and Tito sneak off to rescue Tir na nOg. Grabbing the stallion they get their father and as the police chase after them they make their way west.

Mike Newell directs Jim Sheridan 's screenplay ( based on a story by Tim Palmer ) in this enchanting and magical modern - day fairy tale. Gabriel Byrne plays Papa Reilly , a widower who lives with his two young sons , Ossie ( Ciaran Fitzgerald ) and Tito ( Ruaidhri Conroy ), in the slums of Dublin. There seems to be no hope for their bleak existence until the children's grandfather ( David Kelly ) arrives. Accompanying him is a beautiful and imposing white stallion named Tir na nOg , a magical creature from ancient Irish legends. The stallion takes a shine to the boys and they love the horse in return. But a legion of corrupt police plot to impound the horse for the purpose of selling it to a rich businessman. Ossie and Tito sneak off to rescue Tir na nOg. Grabbing the stallion , they get their father and , as the police chase after them , they make their way west.

The Walt Disney production of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic novel Treasure Island is one of the company's best live-action films of the '50s and one of the best family-oriented adventures ever filmed. Bobby Driscoll plays Jim Hawkins a young cabin boy who battles the pirate Long John Silver (Robert Newton) for a treasure. Disney changes the ending of the book yet the film is so entertaining--particularly Newton's scene-stealing performance--that the difference is forgivable. In the '70s Treasure Island was re-issued with "objectionable" violence cut out of the print; the original version was restored in the 1992 home video re-release.

The Walt Disney production of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic novel Treasure Island is one of the company's best live - action films of the '50s , and one of the best family - oriented adventures ever filmed. Bobby Driscoll plays Jim Hawkins , a young cabin boy who battles the pirate Long John Silver ( Robert Newton ) for a treasure. Disney changes the ending of the book , yet the film is so entertaining -- particularly Newton's scene - stealing performance -- that the difference is forgivable. In the '70s , Treasure Island was re - issued with "objectionable" violence cut out of the print ; the original version was restored in the 1992 home video re - release.

A young boy joins a group of renegade dwarves on an unpredictable journey through time in this humorous fantasy. Monty Python animator Terry Gilliam mostly achieves a tricky balancing act in his second feature as sole director creating a dark irreverent comedy disguised as a family adventure. Particularly amusing are the boy's encounters with various historical figures including an entertainment-starved Napoleon (Ian Holm) a powerful Agamemnon (Sean Connery) and a surprisingly stuffy Robin Hood embodied by Gilliam's Python cohort John Cleese. Episodic by nature the film is less successful when dealing with the larger narrative which concerns the pursuit of the dwarves and their time-traveling map by the Supreme Being. However the combination of Gilliam's visual exuberance and the witty script (by Gilliam and Michael Palin) ensures an entertaining if erratic journey.

A young boy joins a group of renegade dwarves on an unpredictable journey through time in this humorous fantasy. Monty Python animator Terry Gilliam mostly achieves a tricky balancing act in his second feature as sole director , creating a dark , irreverent comedy disguised as a family adventure. Particularly amusing are the boy's encounters with various historical figures , including an entertainment - starved Napoleon ( Ian Holm ), a powerful Agamemnon ( Sean Connery ), and a surprisingly stuffy Robin Hood , embodied by Gilliam's Python cohort John Cleese . Episodic by nature , the film is less successful when dealing with the larger narrative , which concerns the pursuit of the dwarves and their time - traveling map by the Supreme Being. However , the combination of Gilliam's visual exuberance and the witty script ( by Gilliam and Michael Palin ) ensures an entertaining , if erratic , journey.

Richard Lester's adaptation of The Three Musketeers was only the latest of many when released in 1974 but it arrived with a spirit all its own one influenced as much by Lester's '60s work as the Alexandre Dumas classic. Even so it followed the plot of Dumas' novel fairly closely its liberties in interpretation taken elsewhere. Coming off the success of Cabaret Michael York plays D'Artagnan the provincial would-be swashbuckler who travels to Paris to make his name. There he encounters the eponymous heroes: cynical Athos (Oliver Reed) dashing Aramis (Richard Chamberlain) and arrogant Porthos (Frank Finlay). The trio introduces him to the world of court intrigue as they work to protect the Queen (Geraldine Chaplin) from the schemes of the villainous Richelieu (Charlton Heston) and his followers Rochefort (Christopher Lee) and Milady (Faye Dunaway). Lester shot the film in conjunction with its sequel The Four Musketeers. Originally intended as a single film the split prompted a lawsuit from the cast demanding payment for both films.

Richard Lester 's adaptation of The Three Musketeers was only the latest of many when released in 1974 , but it arrived with a spirit all its own , one influenced as much by Lester 's '60s work as the Alexandre Dumas classic. Even so , it followed the plot of Dumas' novel fairly closely , its liberties in interpretation taken elsewhere. Coming off the success of Cabaret , Michael York plays D'Artagnan , the provincial , would - be swashbuckler who travels to Paris to make his name. There he encounters the eponymous heroes : cynical Athos ( Oliver Reed ), dashing Aramis ( Richard Chamberlain ), and arrogant Porthos ( Frank Finlay ) . The trio introduces him to the world of court intrigue as they work to protect the Queen ( Geraldine Chaplin ) from the schemes of the villainous Richelieu ( Charlton Heston ) and his followers , Rochefort ( Christopher Lee ) and Milady ( Faye Dunaway ) . Lester shot the film in conjunction with its sequel , The Four Musketeers . Originally intended as a single film , the split prompted a lawsuit from the cast demanding payment for both films.

Ken Annakin's large-canvas comedy Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines is set in 1910. In order to boost circulation of his newspaper Lord Rawnsley (Robert Morley) offers 10000 pounds to the first person who can fly across the English Channel. A huge number of hopefuls enter the contest including the scheming Sir Percy Ware-Armitage (Terry-Thomas) who with the help of his henchman Courtney (Eric Sykes) attempts to sabotage the other entries. There is also a love triangle featuring Orvil Newton (Stuart Whitman) and Richard Mays (James Fox) competing for the heart of Patricia Rawnsley (Sarah Miles).

Ken Annakin 's large - canvas comedy Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines is set in 1910. In order to boost circulation of his newspaper , Lord Rawnsley ( Robert Morley ) offers 10 , 000 pounds to the first person who can fly across the English Channel. A huge number of hopefuls enter the contest , including the scheming Sir Percy Ware - Armitage ( Terry - Thomas ), who , with the help of his henchman Courtney ( Eric Sykes ), attempts to sabotage the other entries. There is also a love triangle featuring Orvil Newton ( Stuart Whitman ) and Richard Mays ( James Fox ) competing for the heart of Patricia Rawnsley ( Sarah Miles ) .

None of the many cinemadaptations of Johan Wyss' The Swiss Family Robinson are as relentlessly enjoyable as this 1960 Disney feature. The film wastes no time getting down to business with the shipwreck of the Robinson family occurring as the credits flash across the screen. Fashioning a raft the family heads to a lush tropical island. While the mother (Dorothy McGuire) isn't too happy about being a castaway the father (John Mills) and the sons (James MacArthur Tommy Kirk Kevin Corcoran) are thrilled at the prospect of carving out a new life for themselves. In short order the industrious Robinsons have constructed a treehouse with all the creature comforts and "utilities" of their home in Switzerland. Later on the little party is joined by Janet Munro the daughter of a sea captain who has been captured by pirate Sessue Hayakawa and his band. After a series of adventures calculated to arouse the envy of every man woman and child in the audience the film comes to a rousing conclusion as the Robinsons resourcefully fend off Hayakawa and his pirates with a variety of jerry-built booby traps. A box-office winner to the tune of $30 million The Swiss Family Robinson proved beyond doubt that Disney's decision to emphasize the humor and adventure of the Wyss original while downplaying the sociopolitical undertones was a sound one.

None of the many cinemadaptations of Johan Wyss ' The Swiss Family Robinson are as relentlessly enjoyable as this 1960 Disney feature. The film wastes no time getting down to business , with the shipwreck of the Robinson family occurring as the credits flash across the screen. Fashioning a raft , the family heads to a lush tropical island. While the mother ( Dorothy McGuire ) isn't too happy about being a castaway , the father ( John Mills ) and the sons ( James MacArthur , Tommy Kirk , Kevin Corcoran ) are thrilled at the prospect of carving out a new life for themselves. In short order , the industrious Robinsons have constructed a treehouse with all the creature comforts and "utilities" of their home in Switzerland. Later on , the little party is joined by Janet Munro , the daughter of a sea captain who has been captured by pirate Sessue Hayakawa and his band. After a series of adventures calculated to arouse the envy of every man , woman and child in the audience , the film comes to a rousing conclusion as the Robinsons resourcefully fend off Hayakawa and his pirates with a variety of jerry - built booby traps. A box - office winner to the tune of $30 million , The Swiss Family Robinson proved beyond doubt that Disney's decision to emphasize the humor and adventure of the Wyss original , while downplaying the sociopolitical undertones , was a sound one.

Whilst Sinbad (Kerwin Mathews) is on his way to Baghdad transporting the Princess Parisa (Kathryn Grant) who is to become his bride and secure peace between her kingdom and his the ship encounters the isle of Colossa. Sinbad and his men are attacked by a gigantic bestial one-eyed Cyclops and are saved only when the mysterious magician Sokurah (Torin Thatcher) appears and uses a magic lamp to protect Sinbad's men. But in the process of escaping harm Sokurah loses the lamp to the Cyclops. He desperately wants to retrieve it and tries to persuade Sinbad to put about and return to Colossa -- but the captain won't jeopardize the safety of the princess or the success of his mission and the Caliph of Baghdad (Alec Mango) feels the same way even after Sokurah amazes the court by conjuring up a snake-woman. It is only when the princess is shrunk by an evil spell the breaking of which requires the shell from the egg of the giant Roc -- which resides on Colossa -- that Sokurah can get his expedition mounted with Sinbad in command. With a crew made up of a handful of his bravest men and some of the most desperate convicts in the Caliph's prison he has to contend with potential mutiny at every turn and the men are driven almost to madness before they even reach Colossa. Once there they find terrors as great as the Cyclops and the treachery of the magician but Parisa -- in her tiny state -- also discovers the beautiful world inside the lamp and the lonely boy genie (Richard Eyer) who inhabits it. They strike the bargain that when Sinbad's bravery is added to the equation will bring their quest to an end. If that is they can all survive the dangers that Sokurah puts in their path.

Whilst Sinbad ( Kerwin Mathews ) is on his way to Baghdad , transporting the Princess Parisa ( Kathryn Grant ), who is to become his bride and secure peace between her kingdom and his , the ship encounters the isle of Colossa. Sinbad and his men are attacked by a gigantic , bestial one - eyed Cyclops , and are saved only when the mysterious magician Sokurah ( Torin Thatcher ) appears and uses a magic lamp to protect Sinbad's men. But in the process of escaping harm , Sokurah loses the lamp to the Cyclops. He desperately wants to retrieve it and tries to persuade Sinbad to put about and return to Colossa -- but the captain won't jeopardize the safety of the princess or the success of his mission , and the Caliph of Baghdad ( Alec Mango ) feels the same way , even after Sokurah amazes the court by conjuring up a snake - woman. It is only when the princess is shrunk by an evil spell , the breaking of which requires the shell from the egg of the giant Roc -- which resides on Colossa -- that Sokurah can get his expedition mounted , with Sinbad in command. With a crew made up of a handful of his bravest men and some of the most desperate convicts in the Caliph's prison , he has to contend with potential mutiny at every turn , and the men are driven almost to madness before they even reach Colossa. Once there , they find terrors as great as the Cyclops and the treachery of the magician , but Parisa -- in her tiny state -- also discovers the beautiful world inside the lamp , and the lonely boy genie ( Richard Eyer ) who inhabits it. They strike the bargain that , when Sinbad's bravery is added to the equation , will bring their quest to an end. If , that is , they can all survive the dangers that Sokurah puts in their path.

Steve McQueen received his only Academy Award nomination for his performance in this epic-scale war drama based on the novel by Richard McKenna. In 1926 as China teeters on the edge of political revolution in the midst of a civil war the USS San Pablo is ordered to patrol the Yangtze River to represent and protect American interests. While the San Pablo may be an American ship much of the labor is actually performed by Chinese locals willing to work for American money while stern but inexperienced commanding officer Captain Collins (Richard Crenna) frequently drills his charges unsure what else to do. A machinist's mate with just under a decade of navy service behind him Jake Holman (Steve McQueen) is assigned to the San Pablo and immediately makes enemies among the crew -- he prefers to do his own work rather than farm it out to others and the one Chinese man who works by his side Po Han (Mako) is treated as an apprentice rather than a servant. Holman also falls in love with an idealistic American missionary (Candice Bergen) while his shipmate Frenchy (Richard Attenborough) falls for a Chinese girl and - with marriage plans in mind - kidnaps her to prevent her from being auctioned off. As Holman's methods and attitudes continue to anger his comrades they find themselves increasingly at odds with the Chinese especially after Frenchy's girlfriend becomes pregnant and Po Han is captured by revolutionary forces and branded a traitor.

Steve McQueen received his only Academy Award nomination for his performance in this epic - scale war drama , based on the novel by Richard McKenna . In 1926 , as China teeters on the edge of political revolution in the midst of a civil war , the USS San Pablo , is ordered to patrol the Yangtze River to represent and protect American interests. While the San Pablo may be an American ship , much of the labor is actually performed by Chinese locals willing to work for American money , while stern but inexperienced commanding officer Captain Collins ( Richard Crenna ) frequently drills his charges , unsure what else to do. A machinist's mate with just under a decade of navy service behind him , Jake Holman ( Steve McQueen ) is assigned to the San Pablo and immediately makes enemies among the crew -- he prefers to do his own work rather than farm it out to others , and the one Chinese man who works by his side , Po Han ( Mako ), is treated as an apprentice rather than a servant. Holman also falls in love with an idealistic American missionary ( Candice Bergen ), while his shipmate Frenchy ( Richard Attenborough ) falls for a Chinese girl and - with marriage plans in mind - kidnaps her to prevent her from being auctioned off. As Holman's methods and attitudes continue to anger his comrades , they find themselves increasingly at odds with the Chinese , especially after Frenchy's girlfriend becomes pregnant and Po Han is captured by revolutionary forces and branded a traitor.

Kathleen Turner plays a writer of adventure stories Joan Wilder who has been having trouble selling her works of late because they aren't remotely believable. The basic problem is that the mousy Joan has never had any real adventure in her life. All this changes when she receives a frantic phone call from her sister whose is being held prisoner by evil art dealers in Colombia. It seems that sis has mailed Joan a map leading to a valuable treasure. Nasty but cowardly Ralph (Danny DeVito) cousin of the principal villain (Zack Norman) has been assigned to claim the map from Joan. But upon arriving in Colombia Joan and Ralph learn that others of a more homicidal bent are also after the map. Joan is rescued by soldier of fortune Jack Colton (Michael Douglas) who isn't quite clear about his stake in the proceedings. Jack and Joan undergo several perilous adventures in the wilds of Colombia. The treasure turns out to be a valuable jewel which changes hands (one of them severed!) many times before it is swallowed by an alligator. Joan manages to break free from her pursuers but Jack is presumed dead. Jack returns at the end of the film in Manhattan to surprise Joan. The sequel to Romancing the Stone was 1985's The Jewel of the Nile.

Kathleen Turner plays a writer of adventure stories , Joan Wilder , who has been having trouble selling her works of late because they aren't remotely believable. The basic problem is that the mousy Joan has never had any real adventure in her life. All this changes when she receives a frantic phone call from her sister , whose is being held prisoner by evil art dealers in Colombia. It seems that sis has mailed Joan a map leading to a valuable treasure. Nasty but cowardly Ralph ( Danny DeVito ), cousin of the principal villain ( Zack Norman ), has been assigned to claim the map from Joan. But upon arriving in Colombia , Joan and Ralph learn that others of a more homicidal bent are also after the map. Joan is rescued by soldier of fortune Jack Colton ( Michael Douglas ), who isn't quite clear about his stake in the proceedings. Jack and Joan undergo several perilous adventures in the wilds of Colombia. The treasure turns out to be a valuable jewel , which changes hands ( one of them severed! ) many times before it is swallowed by an alligator. Joan manages to break free from her pursuers , but Jack is presumed dead. Jack returns at the end of the film in Manhattan to surprise Joan. The sequel to Romancing the Stone was 1985's The Jewel of the Nile .

Grant (Ralph Bellamy) is a wealthy rancher who hires four mercenaries to retrieve his wife Maria (Claudia Cardinale) from the clutches of the desperado Raza (Jack Palance) in this Western adventure set in 1917. Dolworth (Burt Lancaster) is a munitions expert who joins gunslinger Fardan (Lee Marvin) horse trainer Hans Ehrengard (Robert Ryan) and longbow master Jake (Woody Strode) when the men are offered 10000 dollars apiece for the safe return of Grant's kidnapped wife. The cadre travels 100 miles into Mexico to retrieve the woman whom they later discover wants to remain with Raza but they decide to nab Maria anyway to make good on the money. Soon Fardan Hans and Jake are chased across the border by the enraged Raza and his equally deadly female accomplice Chiquita (Marie Gomez) while Dolworth stays behind to fight off Raza's Mexican banditos. The film received Academy Award nominations for Best Direction (Richard Brooks) Best Screenplay (Brooks again) and Best Cinematography (Conrad L. Hall).

Grant ( Ralph Bellamy ) is a wealthy rancher who hires four mercenaries to retrieve his wife , Maria ( Claudia Cardinale ), from the clutches of the desperado Raza ( Jack Palance ) in this Western adventure set in 1917. Dolworth ( Burt Lancaster ) is a munitions expert who joins gunslinger Fardan ( Lee Marvin ), horse trainer Hans Ehrengard ( Robert Ryan ), and longbow master Jake ( Woody Strode ) when the men are offered 10 , 000 dollars apiece for the safe return of Grant's kidnapped wife. The cadre travels 100 miles into Mexico to retrieve the woman , whom they later discover wants to remain with Raza , but they decide to nab Maria anyway to make good on the money. Soon Fardan , Hans , and Jake are chased across the border by the enraged Raza and his equally deadly female accomplice Chiquita ( Marie Gomez ), while Dolworth stays behind to fight off Raza's Mexican banditos. The film received Academy Award nominations for Best Direction ( Richard Brooks ), Best Screenplay ( Brooks again ), and Best Cinematography ( Conrad L. Hall ) .

The wolves of the Arctic Circle and its environs the stunning beauty of a Northern winter a biologist who braves it all to record the lives of the wolves and Inuits who save the biologist's hide and share their own wisdom openly are all winners in this film that is a tribute to the skills of writer and director Carroll Ballard (The Black Stallion). Based on Farley Mowat's autobiographical novel of the same name Tyler (Charles Martin Smith) is a normal biologist until he gets up into the Arctic winter in order to prove that the caribou herds are not being decimated by wolves; then he becomes a semi-klutz unable to instinctively adapt to the deep freeze around him. After he sets up his first stake-out a native Inuit named Oolek (Zachary Ittimangnaq) comes along to help him out and gets him better established in an isolated hut where Tyler is left to fend for himself again. That he does but not because he can see in advance what his needs or problems are going to be -- he just comes up against the worst when it happens and works from there. At the same time Tyler gets to carefully and closely observe a wolf family he has already dubbed as George Angeline and the three pups and he has several comic interactions with his distant "pets." Oolek and his friend Mike (Samson Jorah) drop by to keep Tyler company for awhile sharing their observations on nature and life in an easy-going non-committal manner. With Tyler's perseverance and the knowledge gained from experience and through these conversations the real culprit in the decimation of the caribou turns out not to have four legs at all.

The wolves of the Arctic Circle and its environs , the stunning beauty of a Northern winter , a biologist who braves it all to record the lives of the wolves , and Inuits who save the biologist's hide and share their own wisdom openly are all winners in this film that is a tribute to the skills of writer and director Carroll Ballard ( The Black Stallion ) . Based on Farley Mowat's autobiographical novel of the same name , Tyler ( Charles Martin Smith ) is a normal biologist until he gets up into the Arctic winter in order to prove that the caribou herds are not being decimated by wolves ; then he becomes a semi - klutz , unable to instinctively adapt to the deep freeze around him. After he sets up his first stake - out , a native Inuit named Oolek ( Zachary Ittimangnaq ) comes along to help him out and gets him better established in an isolated hut , where Tyler is left to fend for himself again. That he does , but not because he can see in advance what his needs or problems are going to be -- he just comes up against the worst when it happens and works from there. At the same time , Tyler gets to carefully and closely observe a wolf family he has already dubbed as George , Angeline , and the three pups , and he has several comic interactions with his distant "pets." Oolek and his friend Mike ( Samson Jorah ) drop by to keep Tyler company for awhile , sharing their observations on nature and life in an easy - going , non - committal manner. With Tyler's perseverance and the knowledge gained from experience and through these conversations , the real culprit in the decimation of the caribou turns out not to have four legs at all.

The Man Who Would Be King opens with author Rudyard Kipling (Christopher Plummer) working in his study. His solitude is broken by the arrival of a tattered half-mad derelict who is soon revealed to be his old acquaintance Peachy Carnahan (Michael Caine). As Kipling listens in rapt fascination Peachy relates the incredible adventures of himself and his partner-in-chicanery Daniel Dravot (Sean Connery). Con men Carnahan and Dravot have masterminded all sorts of underhanded money-making schemes the most elaborate of which takes them to a remote city in the hills of eastern Afghanistan. Here through methods both foul and fair Daniel passes himself off as the incarnation of Alexander the Great the better to lay his hands on the vast riches all around him. Unfortunately Daniel begins to believe his own lies and the results are disastrous for both himself and Peachy. Inadvertently exposing Daniel's scheme is his native wife played by Shakira Caine (Michael Caine's real-life wife).

The Man Who Would Be King opens with author Rudyard Kipling ( Christopher Plummer ) working in his study. His solitude is broken by the arrival of a tattered , half - mad derelict , who is soon revealed to be his old acquaintance Peachy Carnahan ( Michael Caine ) . As Kipling listens in rapt fascination , Peachy relates the incredible adventures of himself and his partner - in - chicanery Daniel Dravot ( Sean Connery ) . Con men Carnahan and Dravot have masterminded all sorts of underhanded money - making schemes , the most elaborate of which takes them to a remote city in the hills of eastern Afghanistan. Here , through methods both foul and fair , Daniel passes himself off as the incarnation of Alexander the Great , the better to lay his hands on the vast riches all around him. Unfortunately , Daniel begins to believe his own lies , and the results are disastrous for both himself and Peachy. Inadvertently exposing Daniel's scheme is his native wife , played by Shakira Caine ( Michael Caine 's real - life wife ) .

Director Michael Mann based this lushly romantic version of the James Fenimore Cooper novel more on his memory of the 1936 film version (starring Randolph Scott) than on Cooper's novel (in fact Philip Dunne's 1936 screenplay is cited as source material for this film). Set in the 1750s during the French and Indian War the story concerns Hawkeye (Daniel Day-Lewis) the European-born adopted son of Mohican scout Chingachgook (Russell Means). Hawkeye and his party which also includes the Mohican Uncas (Eric Schweig) joins up with a group of Britons who have recently arrived in the Colonies. The group consists of Cora Munro (Madeleine Stowe) and her younger sister Alice (Jodhi May) who are rescued from a Huron war party by Hawkeye. Hawkeye's band accompanies them to the British Fort William Henry which is being besieged by a French and Huron force. The fort falls to the French and Colonel Munro (Maurice Roeves) surrenders to French General Montcalm (Patrice Chéreau). The terms of the surrender are that the British merely abandon the fort and return to their homes. However the French's bloodthirsty ally the Huron warrior Magua (Wes Studi) has made no such agreement and as the British retreat from the fort he plans to massacre them in a terrible Huron attack.

Director Michael Mann based this lushly romantic version of the James Fenimore Cooper novel more on his memory of the 1936 film version ( starring Randolph Scott ) than on Cooper 's novel ( in fact , Philip Dunne 's 1936 screenplay is cited as source material for this film ) . Set in the 1750s during the French and Indian War , the story concerns Hawkeye ( Daniel Day - Lewis ), the European - born adopted son of Mohican scout Chingachgook ( Russell Means ) . Hawkeye and his party , which also includes the Mohican Uncas ( Eric Schweig ), joins up with a group of Britons who have recently arrived in the Colonies. The group consists of Cora Munro ( Madeleine Stowe ) and her younger sister , Alice ( Jodhi May ), who are rescued from a Huron war party by Hawkeye. Hawkeye's band accompanies them to the British Fort William Henry , which is being besieged by a French and Huron force. The fort falls to the French , and Colonel Munro ( Maurice Roeves ) surrenders to French General Montcalm ( Patrice Chéreau ) . The terms of the surrender are that the British merely abandon the fort and return to their homes. However , the French's bloodthirsty ally , the Huron warrior Magua ( Wes Studi ), has made no such agreement , and , as the British retreat from the fort , he plans to massacre them in a terrible Huron attack.

The final animated feature produced under the supervision of Walt Disney is a lively neo-swing musical loosely based upon the tales of Rudyard Kipling. The story takes place in a tropical jungle where people are conspicuously absent. But one day Bagheera the Panther (voice of Sebastian Cabot) discovers a baby in the wreck of a boat. Feeling pity on the child Bagheera takes him to be raised with the wolves. Ten years later the child has grown into Mowgli (voice of Bruce Reitherman). Mowgli discovers that his life is in danger because of the return to the area of Shere Khan the Tiger (voice of George Sanders) whose hatred of humans is such that Mowgli faces certain death if discovered. Bagheera agrees to transport Mowgli to the human village where he will be safe from Shere Khan. Along the way to the village night falls and Mowgli and Bagheera almost succumb to the man-eating snake Kaa (voice of Sterling Holloway). Escaping Kaa's coils they run into the lock-step military elephant band of Colonel Hathi (voice of J. Pat O'Malley). Afterwards Mowgli who doesn't want to be sent to the human village runs away from Bagheera and meets up with the fun-loving Baloo the Bear (voice of Phil Harrris). With both Bagheera and Baloo to protect him Mowgli is saved from several more life-threatening situations -- including a barber-shop quartet of vultures the crazed King Louie of the Apes (voice of Louis Prima) and Shere Khan himself -- before making it to the village of humans.

The final animated feature produced under the supervision of Walt Disney is a lively neo - swing musical , loosely based upon the tales of Rudyard Kipling . The story takes place in a tropical jungle where people are conspicuously absent. But one day Bagheera the Panther ( voice of Sebastian Cabot ) discovers a baby in the wreck of a boat. Feeling pity on the child , Bagheera takes him to be raised with the wolves. Ten years later , the child has grown into Mowgli ( voice of Bruce Reitherman ) . Mowgli discovers that his life is in danger because of the return to the area of Shere Khan the Tiger ( voice of George Sanders ), whose hatred of humans is such that Mowgli faces certain death if discovered. Bagheera agrees to transport Mowgli to the human village , where he will be safe from Shere Khan. Along the way to the village , night falls and Mowgli and Bagheera almost succumb to the man - eating snake Kaa ( voice of Sterling Holloway ) . Escaping Kaa's coils , they run into the lock - step military elephant band of Colonel Hathi ( voice of J. Pat O'Malley ) . Afterwards , Mowgli , who doesn't want to be sent to the human village , runs away from Bagheera and meets up with the fun - loving Baloo the Bear ( voice of Phil Harrris ) . With both Bagheera and Baloo to protect him , Mowgli is saved from several more life - threatening situations -- including a barber - shop quartet of vultures , the crazed King Louie of the Apes ( voice of Louis Prima ), and Shere Khan himself -- before making it to the village of humans.

This comic interpretation of Alexandre Dumas's classic adventure saga picks up where 1974's The Three Musketeers left off as D'Artagnan (Michael York) Athos (Oliver Reed) Aramis (Richard Chamberlain) and Porthos (Frank Finlay) scuttle the plans of Lady de Winter (Faye Dunaway) to remove Queen Anne (Geraldine Chaplin) from the seat of power. De Winter is determined to get revenge against the Musketeers and when she learns that D'Artagnan is infatuated with the lovely Constance (Raquel Welch) she first tries to foil their romance by seducing D'Artagnan herself and then by persuading Rochefort (Christopher Lee) to kidnap Constance. She then engineers the assassination of the Duke of Buckingham (Simon Ward) a close friend of D'Artagnan; when word of the Duke's death and Constance's imprisonment reaches D'Artagnan and his comrades the foursome ride off to rescue the fair lady and see that justice is done against de Winter. The Four Musketeers was filmed concurrently with The Three Musketeers; it was originally intended to be one film but when director Richard Lester realized the movie would be over three and a half hours long the decision was made to release it as two separate features instead. This led to lawsuits filed by several of the stars claiming that they were hired under false pretenses and entitled to be paid for making two films rather than one. The actors won their case but their settlement was significantly less than the salary they hoped to receive.

This comic interpretation of Alexandre Dumas's classic adventure saga picks up where 1974's The Three Musketeers left off , as D'Artagnan ( Michael York ), Athos ( Oliver Reed ), Aramis ( Richard Chamberlain ), and Porthos ( Frank Finlay ) scuttle the plans of Lady de Winter ( Faye Dunaway ) to remove Queen Anne ( Geraldine Chaplin ) from the seat of power. De Winter is determined to get revenge against the Musketeers , and when she learns that D'Artagnan is infatuated with the lovely Constance ( Raquel Welch ), she first tries to foil their romance by seducing D'Artagnan herself , and then by persuading Rochefort ( Christopher Lee ) to kidnap Constance. She then engineers the assassination of the Duke of Buckingham ( Simon Ward ), a close friend of D'Artagnan ; when word of the Duke's death and Constance's imprisonment reaches D'Artagnan and his comrades , the foursome ride off to rescue the fair lady and see that justice is done against de Winter. The Four Musketeers was filmed concurrently with The Three Musketeers ; it was originally intended to be one film , but when director Richard Lester realized the movie would be over three and a half hours long , the decision was made to release it as two separate features instead. This led to lawsuits filed by several of the stars , claiming that they were hired under false pretenses and entitled to be paid for making two films rather than one. The actors won their case , but their settlement was significantly less than the salary they hoped to receive.

Though the story told in Robin and Marian is unfamiliar to most audiences it is actually quite faithful to several of the ancient Robin Hood legends. During the Crusades Robin (Sean Connery) is still loyal to King Richard the Lionheart (Richard Harris) but even he has trouble adjusting to the monarch's ever-increasing paranoia and lunacy. After Richard's death Robin returns to England his first visit to his home turf in 20 years. He looks up his beloved Maid Marian (Audrey Hepburn last seen in 1967's Wait Until Dark) who is now a middle-aged nun. No sooner do Robin and Marian renew their relationship than the aging Merry Men demand Robin's services in thwarting their old foe the Sheriff of Nottingham (Robert Shaw). Marian is aghast that the long-standing feud between Robin and the sheriff threatens to expand into wholesale bloodshed. The two venerable enemies agree to one last mano a mano battle -- only to watch helplessly as the all-out war they'd tried to avoid commences anyway. Both the tragic climax and Robin's last defiant arrow shot are drawn directly from authentic Robin Hood ballads of the 14th and 15th centuries.

Though the story told in Robin and Marian is unfamiliar to most audiences , it is actually quite faithful to several of the ancient Robin Hood legends. During the Crusades , Robin ( Sean Connery ) is still loyal to King Richard the Lionheart ( Richard Harris ), but even he has trouble adjusting to the monarch's ever - increasing paranoia and lunacy. After Richard's death , Robin returns to England , his first visit to his home turf in 20 years. He looks up his beloved Maid Marian ( Audrey Hepburn , last seen in 1967's Wait Until Dark ), who is now a middle - aged nun. No sooner do Robin and Marian renew their relationship than the aging Merry Men demand Robin's services in thwarting their old foe , the Sheriff of Nottingham ( Robert Shaw ) . Marian is aghast that the long - standing feud between Robin and the sheriff threatens to expand into wholesale bloodshed. The two venerable enemies agree to one last mano a mano battle -- only to watch helplessly as the all - out war they'd tried to avoid commences anyway. Both the tragic climax and Robin's last , defiant arrow shot are drawn directly from authentic Robin Hood ballads of the 14th and 15th centuries.

Quest for Fire takes place some 80000 years in the past. A primitive homo sapiens tribe huddles around a natural fire source for comfort and survival. When that source is extinguished tribesmen Naoh (Everett McGill) Amoukar (Ron Perlman) and Gaw (Nameer El-Kadi) are sent out on a "quest for fire." After several days of wandering through the prehistoric landscape (the film was shot in Canada Scotland Iceland and Kenya) the three come across a cannibal tribe that knows how to produce fire; they save a young girl Ika (Rae Dawn Chong) from the clutches of the cannibals with the hope that she'll reveal the secret. Based on a novel by J. H. Rosny Sr. Quest for Fire convincingly creates the world of the past and believably molds its characters within the context of their surroundings and their limited knowledge of the world. The credibility factor is aided by technical consultants Desmond Morris and Anthony Burgess who respectively developed a set of gestures and a simplistic language for the Ulams and Ivakas. An Oscar went to John Hay and Penny Rose's costume design.

Quest for Fire takes place some 80 , 000 years in the past. A primitive homo sapiens tribe huddles around a natural fire source for comfort and survival. When that source is extinguished , tribesmen Naoh ( Everett McGill ), Amoukar ( Ron Perlman ), and Gaw ( Nameer El - Kadi ) are sent out on a "quest for fire." After several days of wandering through the prehistoric landscape ( the film was shot in Canada , Scotland , Iceland , and Kenya ), the three come across a cannibal tribe that knows how to produce fire ; they save a young girl , Ika ( Rae Dawn Chong ), from the clutches of the cannibals , with the hope that she'll reveal the secret. Based on a novel by J. H. Rosny Sr. , Quest for Fire convincingly creates the world of the past and believably molds its characters within the context of their surroundings and their limited knowledge of the world. The credibility factor is aided by technical consultants Desmond Morris and Anthony Burgess , who respectively developed a set of gestures and a simplistic language for the Ulams and Ivakas. An Oscar went to John Hay and Penny Rose 's costume design.

Director Bob Rafelson fulfilled a lifelong dream when he finally received backing to complete Mountains of the Moon. The film recreates the exploratory adventures of 19th century visionaries Sir Richard Burton (Patrick Bergin) and John Henning Speke (Iain Glen). The heart of the film is the effort by Burton and Speke to discover the true source of the Nile river. This occurs well into the film after several torturous scenes involving the injuries sustained by the protagonists during other expeditions and their growing friendship (which the film intimates goes far beyond friendship). Rafaelson's fascination with this story and his insistence upon painstaking historical accuracy unfortunately compromises his ability to make an interesting film. There are so many starts and stops during the first half that we sincerely hope Burton and Speke will chuck it all and set up a pub in Bristol or something. What saves Mountains of the Moon is the rapport between its stars and the brilliant epic-like cinematography of Roger Deakins.

Director Bob Rafelson fulfilled a lifelong dream when he finally received backing to complete Mountains of the Moon. The film recreates the exploratory adventures of 19th century visionaries Sir Richard Burton ( Patrick Bergin ) and John Henning Speke ( Iain Glen ) . The heart of the film is the effort by Burton and Speke to discover the true source of the Nile river. This occurs well into the film , after several torturous scenes involving the injuries sustained by the protagonists during other expeditions and their growing friendship ( which , the film intimates , goes far beyond friendship ) . Rafaelson's fascination with this story , and his insistence upon painstaking historical accuracy , unfortunately compromises his ability to make an interesting film. There are so many starts and stops during the first half that we sincerely hope Burton and Speke will chuck it all and set up a pub in Bristol or something. What saves Mountains of the Moon is the rapport between its stars and the brilliant , epic - like cinematography of Roger Deakins .

Harrison Ford delivers one of his most-acclaimed performances in Peter Weir's adaptation of Paul Theroux's novel (scripted by Paul Schrader). Ford plays Allie Fox an inventor embittered by the blighted landscape of the contemporary United States. As he tells his oldest son Charlie (River Phoenix) "Look around you. It's a toilet." He moves his wife (Helen Mirren) and kids -- Charlie Jerry (Jadrien Steele) April (Hilary Gordon) and Clover (Rebecca Gordon) -- to the rain forests of Central America where he plans to create a new civilization starting with his own nuclear family. Allie's family compliantly goes along with his scheme to build a free society but slowly notices that his obsession has turned him into a tyrannical fascist. Rather than create a utopia Allie's driving egomania demands total subservience from his downtrodden brood.

Harrison Ford delivers one of his most - acclaimed performances in Peter Weir 's adaptation of Paul Theroux 's novel ( scripted by Paul Schrader ) . Ford plays Allie Fox , an inventor embittered by the blighted landscape of the contemporary United States. As he tells his oldest son , Charlie ( River Phoenix ), "Look around you. It's a toilet." He moves his wife ( Helen Mirren ) and kids -- Charlie , Jerry ( Jadrien Steele ), April ( Hilary Gordon ), and Clover ( Rebecca Gordon ) -- to the rain forests of Central America , where he plans to create a new civilization starting with his own nuclear family. Allie's family compliantly goes along with his scheme to build a free society , but slowly notices that his obsession has turned him into a tyrannical fascist. Rather than create a utopia , Allie's driving egomania demands total subservience from his downtrodden brood.

In medieval France knight Rutger Hauer and lady fair Michelle Pfeiffer both run afoul of evil-bishop John Wood. Through the auspices of bishop's confessor Leo McKern Hauer and Pfeiffer are placed under a curse. During the night Hauer takes the form of a wolf while Pfeiffer assumes the form of a hawk by day. The two lovers can only meet one another as humans at dawn and dusk. The only mortal in a position to rescue Hauer and Pfeiffer from their fate is nebbishy pickpocket Matthew Broderick who acts as liaison between the lovers. With the help of the guilt-ridden McKern--and a convenient solar eclipse--Broderick endeavors to set things aright.

In medieval France , knight Rutger Hauer and lady fair Michelle Pfeiffer both run afoul of evil - bishop John Wood . Through the auspices of bishop's confessor Leo McKern , Hauer and Pfeiffer are placed under a curse. During the night , Hauer takes the form of a wolf , while Pfeiffer assumes the form of a hawk by day. The two lovers can only meet one another as humans at dawn and dusk. The only mortal in a position to rescue Hauer and Pfeiffer from their fate is nebbishy pickpocket Matthew Broderick , who acts as liaison between the lovers. With the help of the guilt - ridden McKern -- and a convenient solar eclipse -- Broderick endeavors to set things aright.

The second of the George Lucas/Steven Spielberg Indiana Jones epics is set a year or so before the events in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1984). After a brief brouhaha involving a precious vial and a wild ride down a raging Himalyan river Indy (Harrison Ford) gets down to the problem at hand: retrieving a precious gem and several kidnapped young boys on behalf of a remote East Indian village. His companions this time around include a dimbulbed easily frightened nightclub chanteuse (Kate Capshaw) and a feisty 12-year-old kid named Short Round (Quan Ke Huy). Throughout the plot takes second place to the thrills which include a harrowing rollercoaster ride in an abandoned mineshaft and Indy's rescue of the heroine from a ritual sacrifice. There are also a couple of cute references to Raiders of the Lost Ark notably a funny variation of Indy's shooting of the Sherpa warrior.

The second of the George Lucas / Steven Spielberg Indiana Jones epics is set a year or so before the events in Raiders of the Lost Ark ( 1984 ) . After a brief brouhaha involving a precious vial and a wild ride down a raging Himalyan river , Indy ( Harrison Ford ) gets down to the problem at hand : retrieving a precious gem and several kidnapped young boys on behalf of a remote East Indian village. His companions this time around include a dimbulbed , easily frightened nightclub chanteuse ( Kate Capshaw ), and a feisty 12 - year - old kid named Short Round ( Quan Ke Huy ) . Throughout , the plot takes second place to the thrills , which include a harrowing rollercoaster ride in an abandoned mineshaft and Indy's rescue of the heroine from a ritual sacrifice. There are also a couple of cute references to Raiders of the Lost Ark , notably a funny variation of Indy's shooting of the Sherpa warrior.

The third installment in the widely beloved Spielberg/Lucas Indiana Jones saga begins with an introduction to a younger Indy (played by the late River Phoenix) who through a fast-paced prologue gives the audience insight into the roots of his taste for adventure fear of snakes and dogged determination to take historical artifacts out of the hands of bad guys and into the museums in which they belong. A grown-up Indy (Harrison Ford) reveals himself shortly afterward in a familiar classroom scene teaching archeology to a disproportionate number of starry-eyed female college students in 1938. Once again however Mr. Jones is drawn away from his day job after an art collector (Julian Glover) approaches him with a proposition to find the much sought after Holy Grail. Circumstances reveal that there was another avid archeologist in search of the famed cup -- Indiana Jones' father Dr. Henry Jones (Sean Connery) -- who had recently disappeared during his efforts. The junior and senior members of the Jones family find themselves in a series of tough situations in locales ranging from Venice to the most treacherous spots in the Middle East. Complicating the situation further is the presence of Elsa (Alison Doody) a beautiful and intelligent woman with one fatal flaw: she's an undercover Nazi agent. The search for the grail is a dangerous quest and its discovery may prove fatal to those who seek it for personal gain. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade earned a then record-breaking $50 million in its first week of release.

The third installment in the widely beloved Spielberg / Lucas Indiana Jones saga begins with an introduction to a younger Indy ( played by the late River Phoenix ), who , through a fast - paced prologue , gives the audience insight into the roots of his taste for adventure , fear of snakes , and dogged determination to take historical artifacts out of the hands of bad guys and into the museums in which they belong. A grown - up Indy ( Harrison Ford ) reveals himself shortly afterward in a familiar classroom scene , teaching archeology to a disproportionate number of starry - eyed female college students in 1938. Once again , however , Mr. Jones is drawn away from his day job after an art collector ( Julian Glover ) approaches him with a proposition to find the much sought after Holy Grail. Circumstances reveal that there was another avid archeologist in search of the famed cup -- Indiana Jones' father , Dr. Henry Jones ( Sean Connery ) -- who had recently disappeared during his efforts. The junior and senior members of the Jones family find themselves in a series of tough situations in locales ranging from Venice to the most treacherous spots in the Middle East. Complicating the situation further is the presence of Elsa ( Alison Doody ), a beautiful and intelligent woman with one fatal flaw : she's an undercover Nazi agent. The search for the grail is a dangerous quest , and its discovery may prove fatal to those who seek it for personal gain. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade earned a then record - breaking $50 million in its first week of release.

Filmed in Canada as a joint project involving Walt Disney studios and Calgary Ltd. The Incredible Journey stars a cat named Tao and two dogs named Bodger and Luath. When their family goes on vacation the animals are left in charge of family friend Emile Genest. Genest goes off to hunt for a couple of days but fails to inform the animals of this; as a result Tao Bodger and Luath embark upon a 250 mile journey to be reunited with their owners. Superbly photographed and cleverly assembled Incredible Journey strikes a happy medium between its fictional plotline and Disney's "True Life Adventure" approach to the animal scenes. The film would be remade in 1993 as Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.

Filmed in Canada as a joint project involving Walt Disney studios and Calgary Ltd. , The Incredible Journey stars a cat named Tao and two dogs named Bodger and Luath. When their family goes on vacation , the animals are left in charge of family friend Emile Genest . Genest goes off to hunt for a couple of days , but fails to inform the animals of this ; as a result , Tao , Bodger and Luath embark upon a 250 mile journey to be reunited with their owners. Superbly photographed and cleverly assembled , Incredible Journey strikes a happy medium between its fictional plotline and Disney's "True Life Adventure" approach to the animal scenes. The film would be remade in 1993 as Homeward Bound : The Incredible Journey.

Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan Lord of the Apes is a reverent retelling of the Edgar Rice Burroughs original with a 1980s-sensibilities slant. Shipwrecked on the coast of Africa Lord Jack Clayton (Paul Geoffrey) and his pregnant wife Lady Alice (Cheryl Campbell) attempt to survive in the hostile environment but both die shortly after the birth of their son John. Abandoned in the wilderness the orphaned John is adopted by a family of rather highly evolved apes and raised as one of their own. Years later John-now known as Tarzan and now played by Christopher Lambert-comes across a party of white hunters. Rescuing one of the intruders Belgian Captain Phillipe D'Arnot (Ian Holm) from a horrible death Tarzan is taught to speak English by the grateful D'Arnot. Coming across the remains and possessions of Tarzan's parents D'Arnot discovers that the Lord of the Jungle is actually the Earl of Greystoke. Brought back to England Tarzan is introduced to society where his crude apelike manners offend everyone--except the likeable (and painfully senile) 6th Lord of Greystoke (Ralph Richardson in his final film role) and Greystoke's American ward Jane Porter (Andie McDowell whose Southern-fried voice is dubbed by Glenn Close). Disturbed at the notion of Tarzan's inheriting Greystoke manner his more greedy relatives begin plotting against him. But it is Tarzan himself who decides that he cannot adapt himself to England-especially after a painful reunion with his ape foster father imprisoned in a science-lab cage.

Greystoke : The Legend of Tarzan , Lord of the Apes is a reverent retelling of the Edgar Rice Burroughs original , with a 1980s - sensibilities slant. Shipwrecked on the coast of Africa , Lord Jack Clayton ( Paul Geoffrey ) and his pregnant wife Lady Alice ( Cheryl Campbell ) attempt to survive in the hostile environment , but both die shortly after the birth of their son John. Abandoned in the wilderness , the orphaned John is adopted by a family of rather highly evolved apes , and raised as one of their own. Years later , John - now known as Tarzan , and now played by Christopher Lambert - comes across a party of white hunters. Rescuing one of the intruders , Belgian Captain Phillipe D'Arnot ( Ian Holm ) from a horrible death , Tarzan is taught to speak English by the grateful D'Arnot. Coming across the remains and possessions of Tarzan's parents , D'Arnot discovers that the Lord of the Jungle is actually the Earl of Greystoke. Brought back to England , Tarzan is introduced to society , where his crude , apelike manners offend everyone -- except the likeable ( and painfully senile ) 6th Lord of Greystoke ( Ralph Richardson , in his final film role ) and Greystoke's American ward , Jane Porter ( Andie McDowell , whose Southern - fried voice is dubbed by Glenn Close ) . Disturbed at the notion of Tarzan's inheriting Greystoke manner , his more greedy relatives begin plotting against him. But it is Tarzan himself who decides that he cannot adapt himself to England - especially after a painful reunion with his ape foster father , imprisoned in a science - lab cage.

Robert Redford plays Waldo Pepper a former World War I pilot who exaggerates his accomplishments in order to impress the rabble. After a brief rivalry with air-show entrepreneur Axel Olsson (Bo Svenson) Pepper teams with Axel to barnstorm all over the Midwest; later after a series of unexpected (and calamitous) events Pepper gets a job as a movie stunt pilot. On the set he meets the film's technical advisor: former German ace Ernst Kessler (Bo Brundin) a man whom Pepper has been claiming falsely to have fought during the war thereby advancing his own reputation. He is as disillusioned with civilian life as Pepper is and ignoring the entreaties of the film's director stages a genuine dogfight (sans live ammo) with his old "opponent." The Great Waldo Pepper represented the third filmic collaboration between star Robert Redford and director George Roy Hill.

Robert Redford plays Waldo Pepper , a former World War I pilot who exaggerates his accomplishments in order to impress the rabble. After a brief rivalry with air - show entrepreneur Axel Olsson ( Bo Svenson ), Pepper teams with Axel to barnstorm all over the Midwest ; later , after a series of unexpected ( and calamitous ) events , Pepper gets a job as a movie stunt pilot. On the set , he meets the film's technical advisor : former German ace Ernst Kessler ( Bo Brundin ), a man whom Pepper has been claiming falsely to have fought during the war , thereby advancing his own reputation. He is as disillusioned with civilian life as Pepper is , and ignoring the entreaties of the film's director , stages a genuine dogfight ( sans live ammo ) with his old "opponent." The Great Waldo Pepper represented the third filmic collaboration between star Robert Redford and director George Roy Hill .

This 1954 Disney version of Jules Verne's 20000 Leagues Under the Sea represented the studio's costliest and most elaborate American-filmed effort to date. Kirk Douglas plays a trouble-shooting 19th century seaman trying to discover why so many whaling ships have been disappearing of late. Teaming with scientist Paul Lukas and diver Peter Lorre Douglas sets sail to investigate--and is promptly captured by the megalomaniac Captain Nemo (James Mason) who skippers a lavish scientifically advanced submarine. The film's special effects including a giant squid were impressive enough in 1954 to win an Academy Award.

This 1954 Disney version of Jules Verne 's 20 , 000 Leagues Under the Sea represented the studio's costliest and most elaborate American - filmed effort to date. Kirk Douglas plays a trouble - shooting 19th century seaman , trying to discover why so many whaling ships have been disappearing of late. Teaming with scientist Paul Lukas and diver Peter Lorre , Douglas sets sail to investigate -- and is promptly captured by the megalomaniac Captain Nemo ( James Mason ), who skippers a lavish , scientifically advanced submarine. The film's special effects , including a giant squid , were impressive enough in 1954 to win an Academy Award.

Loosely adapted from the classic 1932 horror film starring Boris Karloff The Mummy is set in Egypt where over 3000 years ago the high priest Imhotep (played by Arnold Vosloo) was given the all-important assignment of preparing the recently dead for their journey into the afterlife. However Imhotep made one terrible mistake - he became smitten with Anck-Su-Namun the mistress of the Pharaoh himself. Driven mad by jealousy and love Imhotep murdered the Pharaoh and his punishment was to be buried alive and suffer the torment of an eternal life in his wretched tomb. In 1925 a band of adventurers seeking fame and fortune - led by Rick O'Connel (Brendan Fraser) an American expatriate who has joined the foreign legion and Evelyn Carnarvon (Rachel Weisz) an amateur archeologist - find a previously unknown burial site in Egypt. The team starts to dig hoping to find lost riches but instead they disturb the tomb of Imhotep and soon the cursed priest rises from his grave to wreck vengeance on humanity. The Mummy was written and directed by Stephen Sommers whose previous cinematic journeys into the past include The Jungle Book and The Adventures Of Huck Finn.

Loosely adapted from the classic 1932 horror film starring Boris Karloff , The Mummy is set in Egypt , where over 3 , 000 years ago the high priest Imhotep ( played by Arnold Vosloo ) was given the all - important assignment of preparing the recently dead for their journey into the afterlife. However , Imhotep made one terrible mistake - he became smitten with Anck - Su - Namun , the mistress of the Pharaoh himself. Driven mad by jealousy and love , Imhotep murdered the Pharaoh , and his punishment was to be buried alive and suffer the torment of an eternal life in his wretched tomb. In 1925 , a band of adventurers seeking fame and fortune - led by Rick O'Connel ( Brendan Fraser ), an American expatriate who has joined the foreign legion , and Evelyn Carnarvon ( Rachel Weisz ), an amateur archeologist - find a previously unknown burial site in Egypt. The team starts to dig , hoping to find lost riches , but instead they disturb the tomb of Imhotep , and soon the cursed priest rises from his grave to wreck vengeance on humanity. The Mummy was written and directed by Stephen Sommers , whose previous cinematic journeys into the past include The Jungle Book and The Adventures Of Huck Finn .

In this cartoonish live-action martial arts feature three female super-heroes battle the forces of evil in the form of a woman who has hatched a plot to create China's next ruler. Over the years she has stolen over a dozen children from their families. She hopes to raise them in a way that will make them into ruthless supermen. Among other things the children are "hardened" by feeding them with human flesh. Thief-Catcher Invisible Woman and Wonder Women use their incomparable kung-fu skills to battle their nemesis and even some of the more seriously ruined children in order to protect the world from being taken over by them. Along the way two of the women discover that they are sisters who were separated as infants. The film contains some scenes showing cruelty and violence being handed out to infants and children and these may be distasteful for many. Viewers should also note that the Wonder Woman in this film is not based on the American comic-book character portrayed by Lynda Carter but is a home-grown Chinese invention.

In this cartoonish live - action martial arts feature , three female super - heroes battle the forces of evil in the form of a woman who has hatched a plot to create China's next ruler. Over the years , she has stolen over a dozen children from their families. She hopes to raise them in a way that will make them into ruthless supermen. Among other things , the children are "hardened" by feeding them with human flesh. Thief - Catcher , Invisible Woman , and Wonder Women use their incomparable kung - fu skills to battle their nemesis and even some of the more seriously ruined children in order to protect the world from being taken over by them. Along the way , two of the women discover that they are sisters who were separated as infants. The film contains some scenes showing cruelty and violence being handed out to infants and children , and these may be distasteful for many. Viewers should also note that the Wonder Woman in this film is not based on the American comic - book character portrayed by Lynda Carter , but is a home - grown Chinese invention.

illionaire Charles Morse (Anthony Hopkins) accompanies his much-younger wife Mickey (Elle Macpherson) and a fashion photography team headed by Bob Green (Alec Baldwin) to a remote lodge in Alaska. Charles is a quiet introspective man fond of accumulating trivia and other facts in his encyclopedic mind; he is also troubled with the idea that Bob and Mickey may be lovers. Even though he suspects the younger man plans to kill him Charles goes with Bob and his assistant Stephen (Harold Perrineau) on an airplane trip to find a photogenic friend (Gordon Tootoosis) of the lodge owner (L.Q. Jones) but the plane crashes in a lake killing the pilot. The crash is miles from their planned path so they can't expect to be spotted by an aerial search; there's only one chance: they have to walk to a more likely spot.Though Robert and Stephan are more physically fit Charles' calm wit and ingenuity proves the key to their survival especially after a ferocious bear brutally kills Stephen. Robert and Charles' odyssey becomes more urgent when they discover that the bear is now stalking them.

Billionaire Charles Morse ( Anthony Hopkins ) accompanies his much - younger wife Mickey ( Elle Macpherson ) and a fashion photography team headed by Bob Green ( Alec Baldwin ) to a remote lodge in Alaska. Charles is a quiet , introspective man , fond of accumulating trivia and other facts in his encyclopedic mind ; he is also troubled with the idea that Bob and Mickey may be lovers. Even though he suspects the younger man plans to kill him , Charles goes with Bob and his assistant Stephen ( Harold Perrineau ) on an airplane trip to find a photogenic friend ( Gordon Tootoosis ) of the lodge owner ( L.Q. Jones ), but the plane crashes in a lake , killing the pilot. The crash is miles from their planned path , so they can't expect to be spotted by an aerial search ; there's only one chance : they have to walk to a more likely spot.Though Robert and Stephan are more physically fit , Charles' calm wit and ingenuity proves the key to their survival , especially after a ferocious bear brutally kills Stephen. Robert and Charles' odyssey becomes more urgent when they discover that the bear is now stalking them.

Old Smokey develops a bad temper in this volcanic disaster spectacle. Harry Dalton (Pierce Brosnan) is a volcano expert whose interest became more than academic after he lost the woman he loved in a volcanic emergency. When he is sent to investigate unusual seismic activity in the quiet Pacific Northwest community of Dante's Peak he discovers people boiled to death in the local hot spring and plant and animal life dying or displaying unusual illnesses near the city's supposedly dormant volcano. Harry becomes convinced that a major volcanic catastrophe is in the cards. Rachel Wando (Linda Hamilton) the town's mayor is a single mother who also runs the local cafe and now that Dante's Peak has been named one of the most desirable small towns in America tourists have been flocking to the diner and other local businesses. While concerned with the safety of her community Rachel takes a cynical view of Harry's warnings about the volcano; she has no desire to alarm either the town's residents or the wealthy visitors lining the city's pockets. Nevertheless Harry tries to convince Rachel of the potential danger as they begin to develop feelings for each other that are not strictly professional. The summer of 1997 was a big season for killer volcanoes at the movies as Dante's Peak and Volcano opened within a few months of each other.

Old Smokey develops a bad temper in this volcanic disaster spectacle. Harry Dalton ( Pierce Brosnan ) is a volcano expert whose interest became more than academic after he lost the woman he loved in a volcanic emergency. When he is sent to investigate unusual seismic activity in the quiet Pacific Northwest community of Dante's Peak , he discovers people boiled to death in the local hot spring and plant and animal life dying or displaying unusual illnesses near the city's supposedly dormant volcano. Harry becomes convinced that a major volcanic catastrophe is in the cards. Rachel Wando ( Linda Hamilton ), the town's mayor , is a single mother who also runs the local cafe , and now that Dante's Peak has been named one of the most desirable small towns in America , tourists have been flocking to the diner and other local businesses. While concerned with the safety of her community , Rachel takes a cynical view of Harry's warnings about the volcano ; she has no desire to alarm either the town's residents or the wealthy visitors lining the city's pockets. Nevertheless , Harry tries to convince Rachel of the potential danger , as they begin to develop feelings for each other that are not strictly professional. The summer of 1997 was a big season for killer volcanoes at the movies , as Dante's Peak and Volcano opened within a few months of each other.

Jackie Chan returns to his adventuring Indiana Jones-esque Asian Hawk character with this rollicking action-adventure yarn. In this go-around Jackie (aka the Asian Hawk) is looking for 240 tons of gold stolen by the Nazis and buried beneath the Sahara. Along the way he teams up with a stuck-up archeologist named Ada (Carol Cheng) a Japanese tourist named Momoko (Shoko Ikeda) and Elsa (Eva Cobo De Garcia) the granddaughter of the Nazi captain who originally hid the booty. Opposing them is various groups of blackguards and mercenaries along with Adolf (Aldo Sanbrell) -- the last surviving soldier from the original company -- who is hell-bent on getting the gold himself. Soon two of Jackie's companions find themselves sold into slavery while Jackie battles the baddies in a massive WWII-era wind tunnel. This film ran 100 percent over Chan's already lavish -- by Hong Kong standards -- budget making it one of the most expensive films that industry has ever produced.

Jackie Chan returns to his adventuring Indiana Jones - esque Asian Hawk character with this rollicking action - adventure yarn. In this go - around , Jackie ( aka the Asian Hawk ) is looking for 240 tons of gold stolen by the Nazis and buried beneath the Sahara. Along the way , he teams up with a stuck - up archeologist named Ada ( Carol Cheng ), a Japanese tourist named Momoko ( Shoko Ikeda ), and Elsa ( Eva Cobo De Garcia ), the granddaughter of the Nazi captain who originally hid the booty. Opposing them is various groups of blackguards and mercenaries along with Adolf ( Aldo Sanbrell ) -- the last surviving soldier from the original company -- who is hell - bent on getting the gold himself. Soon , two of Jackie 's companions find themselves sold into slavery while Jackie battles the baddies in a massive WWII - era wind tunnel. This film ran 100 percent over Chan 's already lavish -- by Hong Kong standards -- budget , making it one of the most expensive films that industry has ever produced.

A boy and his dragon unite to fight evil in this fantasy. Bowen (Dennis Quaid) a Knight of The Old Code in Medieval times is summoned by Aislinn the Queen (Julie Christie) to the bedside of her son Einon who is also Bowen's student. Einon has been wounded and is near death; with his heart about to give out Bowen calls upon Draco (voice of Sean Connery) the mightiest dragon in the land asking for a sliver of his mighty heart so that the boy might survive. Draco makes Bowen pledge that when Enion grows to adulthood and becomes king he will rule with fairness and compassion before the beast will donate a piece of his heart. Einon agrees to the pledge but years later the adult Einon (David Thewlis) has become a cruel despot in no way good on his promises. Bowen angry at Einon's betrayal is convinced that the dragon is somehow responsible and goes on a spree killing the mammoth reptiles at a fevered pace. However when Bowen once again encounters Draco the dragon convinces him that a dragon-slayer who has killed the last dragon also puts himself out of a job; Draco and Bowen work out a business arrangement where the monster "attacks" villages and Bowen is paid to "kill" him. In time however Draco and Bowen realize that they must set aside their lucrative business in order to challenge the authority of the evil ruler. Draco the Dragon was the first fully-computer animated character to have a speaking part along side flesh and blood actors in a film; Sean Connery's recording sessions as the voice of Draco were recorded on video as well as audio tape so that his facial expressions and mouth movements could be adapted to the character.

A boy and his dragon unite to fight evil in this fantasy. Bowen ( Dennis Quaid ), a Knight of The Old Code in Medieval times , is summoned by Aislinn the Queen ( Julie Christie ) to the bedside of her son , Einon , who is also Bowen's student. Einon has been wounded and is near death ; with his heart about to give out , Bowen calls upon Draco ( voice of Sean Connery ), the mightiest dragon in the land , asking for a sliver of his mighty heart so that the boy might survive. Draco makes Bowen pledge that when Enion grows to adulthood and becomes king , he will rule with fairness and compassion before the beast will donate a piece of his heart. Einon agrees to the pledge , but years later , the adult Einon ( David Thewlis ) has become a cruel despot , in no way good on his promises. Bowen , angry at Einon's betrayal , is convinced that the dragon is somehow responsible and goes on a spree , killing the mammoth reptiles at a fevered pace. However , when Bowen once again encounters Draco , the dragon convinces him that a dragon - slayer who has killed the last dragon also puts himself out of a job ; Draco and Bowen work out a business arrangement , where the monster "attacks" villages and Bowen is paid to "kill" him. In time , however , Draco and Bowen realize that they must set aside their lucrative business in order to challenge the authority of the evil ruler. Draco the Dragon was the first fully - computer animated character to have a speaking part along side flesh and blood actors in a film ; Sean Connery 's recording sessions as the voice of Draco were recorded on video as well as audio tape , so that his facial expressions and mouth movements could be adapted to the character.

In this family adventure story John and Catherine McCormick (Bruce Davison and Mimi Rogers) relocate from Vancouver to the coast of British Columbia where sailing enthusiast John teaches his sons Angus (Jesse Bradford) and Silas (Joel Palmer) basic seamanship and outdoor survival skills. Angus has rescued a stray Golden Labrador he calls Yellow and considers his best friend though his folks aren't so sure he's responsible enough to care for the dog. One day John takes Angus and Yellow sailing; a sudden gale bursts out and the boy and his dog are thrown overboard. They wash up on a rugged coastal area where Angus' abilities to survive in the wild are put to the test. As Angus and Yellow fend off wild animals build a shelter and signal for help John and Catherine work with the Coast Guard in a desperate search for their missing son. Far from Home: The Adventures of Yellow Dog was the final film by Canadian director Phillip Borsos who died of leukemia within a month of its U.S. release.

In this family adventure story , John and Catherine McCormick ( Bruce Davison and Mimi Rogers ) relocate from Vancouver to the coast of British Columbia , where sailing enthusiast John teaches his sons Angus ( Jesse Bradford ) and Silas ( Joel Palmer ) basic seamanship and outdoor survival skills. Angus has rescued a stray Golden Labrador he calls Yellow and considers his best friend , though his folks aren't so sure he's responsible enough to care for the dog. One day , John takes Angus and Yellow sailing ; a sudden gale bursts out , and the boy and his dog are thrown overboard. They wash up on a rugged coastal area , where Angus' abilities to survive in the wild are put to the test. As Angus and Yellow fend off wild animals , build a shelter , and signal for help , John and Catherine work with the Coast Guard in a desperate search for their missing son. Far from Home : The Adventures of Yellow Dog was the final film by Canadian director Phillip Borsos , who died of leukemia within a month of its U.S. release.

A novice knight and his unlikely allies lead a crusade against evil in this adventure set in 12th century France. Robert Nerra (Eric Stoltz) is a young knight who after the death of his older brother abandons the struggle to defend his father's property in a skirmish over land rights and instead sets out to offer his services to King Richard the Lionhearted. As Nerra makes his way through a France racked with poverty and sickness he encounters a group of orphans who are trying to flee from the Black Prince (Gabriel Byrne) a dark-clad rogue knight who steals children and sells them to Arab slave merchants. At first thinking him to be King Richard himself the children follow Nerra and he tries to protect and organize them as best he can. As they march through France the orphans' numbers grow and soon Nerra finds himself leading a crusade of children as he at once leads them to safety and fights off the Black Prince's forces. Lionheart was one of the final films from veteran director Franklin J. Schaffner; the film received an unfortunately short-lived theatrical release and went largely unseen until it was released on home video in 1990 a year after Schaffner's death.

A novice knight and his unlikely allies lead a crusade against evil in this adventure set in 12th century France. Robert Nerra ( Eric Stoltz ) is a young knight who , after the death of his older brother , abandons the struggle to defend his father's property in a skirmish over land rights and instead sets out to offer his services to King Richard the Lionhearted. As Nerra makes his way through a France racked with poverty and sickness , he encounters a group of orphans who are trying to flee from the Black Prince ( Gabriel Byrne ), a dark - clad rogue knight who steals children and sells them to Arab slave merchants. At first thinking him to be King Richard himself , the children follow Nerra , and he tries to protect and organize them as best he can. As they march through France , the orphans' numbers grow , and soon Nerra finds himself leading a crusade of children as he at once leads them to safety and fights off the Black Prince's forces. Lionheart was one of the final films from veteran director Franklin J. Schaffner ; the film received an unfortunately short - lived theatrical release and went largely unseen until it was released on home video in 1990 , a year after Schaffner 's death.

The story of an intelligent heroic collie and his young owner previously featured in numerous films and a successful 1950s television series was updated for the 1990s in this family feature. This time Lassie is determined to help a cynical city boy named Matt (Thomas Guiry) who turns even more resentful when his family relocates to a small town in rural Virginia. Soon after this move a bright collie enters the family's life and winds up with the name Lassie because of the television show which Matt's younger sister (Brittany Boyd) watches passionately. Lassie sets out to cheer Matt up and introduce him to the wonders of nature while also helping the family stand its ground against rich unpleasant neighbors. There are also run-ins with vicious wild animals and a daring rescue over river rapids but the main focus remains on the emotional relationship between Matt and the dog a story that will seem old-fashioned and charming to some viewers while familiar and sentimental to others.

The story of an intelligent , heroic collie and his young owner , previously featured in numerous films and a successful 1950s television series , was updated for the 1990s in this family feature. This time , Lassie is determined to help a cynical city boy named Matt ( Thomas Guiry ), who turns even more resentful when his family relocates to a small town in rural Virginia. Soon after this move , a bright collie enters the family's life and winds up with the name Lassie because of the television show , which Matt's younger sister ( Brittany Boyd ) watches passionately. Lassie sets out to cheer Matt up and introduce him to the wonders of nature , while also helping the family stand its ground against rich , unpleasant neighbors. There are also run - ins with vicious wild animals and a daring rescue over river rapids , but the main focus remains on the emotional relationship between Matt and the dog , a story that will seem old - fashioned and charming to some viewers while familiar and sentimental to others.

Joseph Papp's notion of staging one of Gilbert and Sullivan's best-loved operettas with two pop singers (Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith) in the leads paid off as a surprise Broadway smash in the early 1980s and this film faithfully reproduces Papp's production featuring most of the original cast and the original director. Frederic (Smith) has been taught since childhood to be a sea-going bandit by the Pirate King (Kevin Kline) but with his 21st birthday imminent Frederic wants to leave pirating behind especially after he becomes infatuated with innocent Mabel (Ronstadt). But the Pirate King informs Frederic that since he was born on the last day of February on a Leap Year his 21st birthday won't roll around for some time yet and he still owes the King some raiding on the high seas. To Frederic's embarrassment the Pirate King's next target turns out to be Major General Stanley (George Rose) Mabel's father! The Pirates of Penzance also features Angela Lansbury as Ruth (the sole major casting change from the Broadway production -- Estelle Parsons played the role on stage).

Joseph Papp 's notion of staging one of Gilbert and Sullivan 's best - loved operettas with two pop singers ( Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith ) in the leads paid off as a surprise Broadway smash in the early 1980s , and this film faithfully reproduces Papp 's production , featuring most of the original cast and the original director. Frederic ( Smith ) has been taught since childhood to be a sea - going bandit by the Pirate King ( Kevin Kline ), but with his 21st birthday imminent , Frederic wants to leave pirating behind , especially after he becomes infatuated with innocent Mabel ( Ronstadt ) . But the Pirate King informs Frederic that since he was born on the last day of February on a Leap Year , his 21st birthday won't roll around for some time yet , and he still owes the King some raiding on the high seas. To Frederic's embarrassment , the Pirate King's next target turns out to be Major General Stanley ( George Rose ), Mabel's father! The Pirates of Penzance also features Angela Lansbury as Ruth ( the sole major casting change from the Broadway production -- Estelle Parsons played the role on stage ) .

Wind is set in the world of competitive yacht racing where a young sailor (Matthew Modine) is intent on winning the America's Cup as well as regaining the affections of his ex-girlfriend (Jennifer Grey). As the film opens Modine chooses to race the America's Cup instead of staying with Grey. She leaves him and his team loses the race leaving him devastated. Modine tracks Grey down finding her with a new boyfriend who happens to be an engineer. He persuades her and her new boyfriend to help him build a new yacht which he plans on using in his pursuit to regain the America's Cup.

Wind is set in the world of competitive yacht racing , where a young sailor ( Matthew Modine ) is intent on winning the America's Cup , as well as regaining the affections of his ex - girlfriend ( Jennifer Grey ) . As the film opens , Modine chooses to race the America's Cup instead of staying with Grey. She leaves him and his team loses the race , leaving him devastated. Modine tracks Grey down , finding her with a new boyfriend , who happens to be an engineer. He persuades her and her new boyfriend to help him build a new yacht , which he plans on using in his pursuit to regain the America's Cup.

In Randal Kleiser's entertaining adaptation of Jack London's classic novel White Fang Ethan Hawke plays Jack Conroy a young man who travels to Alaska with the intent of finding his father's lost gold mine. During the course of his travels he's accompanied by a big white wolf that he rescued from a professional dog fight promoter. Conroy and the wolf which he names White Fang have a number of adventures and make a few enemies on their way to finding the gold mine.

In Randal Kleiser 's entertaining adaptation of Jack London's classic novel White Fang , Ethan Hawke plays Jack Conroy , a young man who travels to Alaska with the intent of finding his father's lost gold mine. During the course of his travels , he's accompanied by a big white wolf that he rescued from a professional dog fight promoter. Conroy and the wolf , which he names White Fang , have a number of adventures and make a few enemies on their way to finding the gold mine.

Romance and adventure abound in this sequel to the popular Australian film The Man from Snowy River. The story takes up five years after the other ended. It is still the 1880s when Jim Craig returns to his humble mountain cabin after he rounds up a heard of mustangs in the hope that he will earn enough money to finally be able to marry Jessica. Unfortunately Jessica's dad wants her to marry the banker's son. Now the two lovers must work long and hard to be together.

Romance and adventure abound in this sequel to the popular Australian film The Man from Snowy River . The story takes up five years after the other ended. It is still the 1880s when Jim Craig returns to his humble mountain cabin after he rounds up a heard of mustangs in the hope that he will earn enough money to finally be able to marry Jessica. Unfortunately , Jessica's dad wants her to marry the banker's son. Now the two lovers must work long and hard to be together.

The directorial debut of Academy Award-nominated cinematographer Mikael Salomon (The Abyss) A Far Off Place is based on a pair of books by novelist Laurens Van der Post. Reese Witherspoon stars as Nonnie Parker a young girl living on an African game preserve with her parents. Ethan Embry is Harry Winslow the snooty son of a visiting dignitary. When Nonnie and Harry witness the murder of their parents at the hands of ruthless poachers they suddenly find themselves braving the harsh Kalahari Desert in an attempt to escape the gang. Along the way the pair encounters a bushman called Xhabbo (Sarel Bok) who shows them how to survive in the barren desert. Forced to work together to survive Nonnie and Harry learn to overcome their differences and become friends.

The directorial debut of Academy Award - nominated cinematographer Mikael Salomon ( The Abyss ), A Far Off Place is based on a pair of books by novelist Laurens Van der Post . Reese Witherspoon stars as Nonnie Parker , a young girl living on an African game preserve with her parents. Ethan Embry is Harry Winslow , the snooty son of a visiting dignitary. When Nonnie and Harry witness the murder of their parents at the hands of ruthless poachers , they suddenly find themselves braving the harsh Kalahari Desert in an attempt to escape the gang. Along the way , the pair encounters a bushman called Xhabbo ( Sarel Bok ) who shows them how to survive in the barren desert. Forced to work together to survive , Nonnie and Harry learn to overcome their differences and become friends.

A special-effects laden medieval fantasy adventure Dragonslayer centers on the attempts of a young sorcerer's apprentice to defeat a vicious dragon and save a lovely young maiden. Peter MacNicol stars as the young Galen an aspiring magician under the tutelage of the aging Ulrich (Ralph Richardson). A nearby village turns to the pair for help when their leader begins proffering sacrifices of young virgins to satisfy a vicious dragon. The two immediately set out for battle becoming even more determined when a courageous princess offers to sacrifice herself to the creature. Unfortunately Ulrich's failing abilities force Galen into the center of the conflict where the uncertain young boy must prove himself under fire. The suitably mythic if somewhat predictable story is told straightforwardly culminating in a spectacular battle against the beast featuring Academy Award-nominated visual effects. Despite its visual flair and relatively positive reviews the film received mediocre response at the box office as some criticized the film's violence as too intense for its intended younger audiences.

A special - effects laden medieval fantasy adventure , Dragonslayer centers on the attempts of a young sorcerer's apprentice to defeat a vicious dragon and save a lovely young maiden. Peter MacNicol stars as the young Galen , an aspiring magician under the tutelage of the aging Ulrich ( Ralph Richardson ) . A nearby village turns to the pair for help when their leader begins proffering sacrifices of young virgins to satisfy a vicious dragon. The two immediately set out for battle , becoming even more determined when a courageous princess offers to sacrifice herself to the creature. Unfortunately , Ulrich's failing abilities force Galen into the center of the conflict , where the uncertain young boy must prove himself under fire. The suitably mythic if somewhat predictable story is told straightforwardly , culminating in a spectacular battle against the beast , featuring Academy Award - nominated visual effects. Despite its visual flair and relatively positive reviews , the film received mediocre response at the box office , as some criticized the film's violence as too intense for its intended younger audiences.

Master cinematographer Caleb Deschanel is not unexpectedly stronger on visuals than substance in his direction of Crusoe (though the camerawork is officially credited to Tom Pinter). The protagonist played by Aidan Quinn is a shipwreck victim just as novelist Daniel Defoe proscribed over two hundred years ago. But this Robinson Crusoe is a child of the late 19th century; moreover he is no ordinary sailor but an insensitive slave trader. The "Friday" character is divided up amongst several black natives of the island where Crusoe is stranded. Ultimately Crusoe profits by their example rather than the other way around. Director Deschanel busies himself with gorgeous scenery (mostly lensed in the Seychelles) and languid sunsets permitting screenwriters Christopher Logue and Walson Green to pursue the politically correct message of Crusoe without interference.

Master cinematographer Caleb Deschanel is , not unexpectedly , stronger on visuals than substance in his direction of Crusoe ( though the camerawork is officially credited to Tom Pinter ) . The protagonist , played by Aidan Quinn , is a shipwreck victim , just as novelist Daniel Defoe proscribed over two hundred years ago. But this Robinson Crusoe is a child of the late 19th century ; moreover , he is no ordinary sailor but an insensitive slave trader. The "Friday" character is divided up amongst several black natives of the island where Crusoe is stranded. Ultimately , Crusoe profits by their example , rather than the other way around. Director Deschanel busies himself with gorgeous scenery ( mostly lensed in the Seychelles ) and languid sunsets , permitting screenwriters Christopher Logue and Walson Green to pursue the politically correct message of Crusoe without interference.

ased on a true incident from 1960 White Squall is the story of the tragic sinking of the Albatross a prep school educational two-masted schooner during a Caribbean storm. Screenwriter Todd Robinson wrote the script after meeting one of the tragedy's survivors Chuck Gieg. In the film Gieg (Scott Wolf) is the narrator. He and his fellow students whose parents have paid handsomely for their schooling which combines classroom work with real-life adventure are introduced to their grizzled seafaring captain Christopher Sheldon (Jeff Bridges). Gieg is initially skeptical of Sheldon's authority but he gradually comes to see the captain as a model of manhood. The other boys aboard include Frank Beaumont (Jeremy Sisto) a self-absorbed snob; Dean Preston (Eric Michael Cole) a troublemaker and bully; Tod Johnston (Balthazar Getty) a returning student; and the naïve Tracy Lapchick (Ethan Embry). John Savage plays the pompous English teacher aboard the ship. Various incidents establish the boys' insecurities and relationships with the authorities -- and foreshadow their eventual fate. The killer squall comes up quietly but soon turns deadly and the boys are forced to go beyond their privileged upbringings and deal with real danger.

Based on a true incident from 1960 , White Squall is the story of the tragic sinking of the Albatross , a prep school educational two - masted schooner , during a Caribbean storm. Screenwriter Todd Robinson wrote the script after meeting one of the tragedy's survivors , Chuck Gieg. In the film , Gieg ( Scott Wolf ) is the narrator. He and his fellow students , whose parents have paid handsomely for their schooling , which combines classroom work with real - life adventure , are introduced to their grizzled seafaring captain , Christopher Sheldon ( Jeff Bridges ) . Gieg is initially skeptical of Sheldon's authority , but he gradually comes to see the captain as a model of manhood. The other boys aboard include Frank Beaumont ( Jeremy Sisto ), a self - absorbed snob ; Dean Preston ( Eric Michael Cole ), a troublemaker and bully ; Tod Johnston ( Balthazar Getty ), a returning student ; and the naïve Tracy Lapchick ( Ethan Embry ) . John Savage plays the pompous English teacher aboard the ship. Various incidents establish the boys' insecurities and relationships with the authorities -- and foreshadow their eventual fate. The killer squall comes up quietly but soon turns deadly , and the boys are forced to go beyond their privileged upbringings and deal with real danger.

In typical Luis Buñuel fashion The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie surrealistically skewers the conventions of society. Buñuel applies his surrealist touch to a mundane event: a dinner party that may never come to pass. A group of well-to-do friends attempt to gather for a social evening but are thwarted at every turn. The initial problem seems to be a simple scheduling mistake but the obstacles become more and more bizarre. At one point the guests are interrupted at the table by an army on maneuvers. Later they learn that they are merely characters in a stage play and so cannot have dinner together. These misadventures are combined with symbolic dreams of the various characters some of which also involve interrupted dinners. Wicked social satire and one of Buñuel's funniest films. Winner of the Academy Award for "Best Foreign Film" in 1972.

In typical Luis Buñuel fashion , The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie surrealistically skewers the conventions of society. Buñuel applies his surrealist touch to a mundane event : a dinner party that may never come to pass. A group of well - to - do friends attempt to gather for a social evening , but are thwarted at every turn. The initial problem seems to be a simple scheduling mistake , but the obstacles become more and more bizarre. At one point , the guests are interrupted at the table by an army on maneuvers. Later they learn that they are merely characters in a stage play and so cannot have dinner together. These misadventures are combined with symbolic dreams of the various characters , some of which also involve interrupted dinners. Wicked social satire and one of Buñuel's funniest films. Winner of the Academy Award for "Best Foreign Film" in 1972.

A story about story-telling Jacques Rivette's self-referential classic centers on the fanciful world of two women literally lost in the stories they tell each other. Celine (Juliet Berto) and Julie (Dominique Labourier) go from sharing a story about a haunted house to being part of a story about a haunted house -- or is it a real haunted house that has been called up by the story? The film blurs the line between the telling of the story and the story itself as Celine and Julie like Alice in Wonderland become part of a surreal drug-induced parallel universe; also like Alice they ultimately become the heroines of the story that first imprisoned them. Rivette celebrates the magic of stories and more broadly of imagination adventure and friendship as essential elements of life; the themes are familiar from his other movies but the tone is more playful. This enigmatic and fanciful film is not for all tastes but for its many devotees it is one of the most distinctive and imaginative movies ever made.

A story about story - telling , Jacques Rivette 's self - referential classic centers on the fanciful world of two women literally lost in the stories they tell each other. Celine ( Juliet Berto ) and Julie ( Dominique Labourier ) go from sharing a story about a haunted house to being part of a story about a haunted house -- or is it a real haunted house that has been called up by the story? The film blurs the line between the telling of the story and the story itself , as Celine and Julie , like Alice in Wonderland , become part of a surreal , drug - induced parallel universe ; also like Alice , they ultimately become the heroines of the story that first imprisoned them. Rivette celebrates the magic of stories , and more broadly of imagination , adventure , and friendship , as essential elements of life ; the themes are familiar from his other movies , but the tone is more playful. This enigmatic and fanciful film is not for all tastes , but , for its many devotees , it is one of the most distinctive and imaginative movies ever made.

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Czech animator Jan Svankmajer gained acclaim and notoriety for his eerie nightmarish stop-motion animated pieces fashioned out of discarded dolls battered marionettes and pieces of junk. His films such as Alice and Faust delved headlong into the subconscious and dredged up images that were imbued not only with a woozy sense of dread but with a savage sense of wit. Svankmajer's third feature -- and his first (mostly) live-action film -- is an absurdist look at some very weird sexual adventurers. Peony (Petr Meissel) is a nebbish bachelor with a passion for porno mags and poultry. At the film's outset he pulls a live chicken from his wardrobe and has his neighbor Mrs. Loubalova (Gabriela Wilhelmova) cut its throat -- which she does with a fair amount of relish and glee. Using the head as a model he fashions a papier-mâché chicken mask -- made from old pornography -- and an accompanying chicken suit. Later in a bizarre backwater ritual Peony dons his chicken costume and taunts and crushes an effigy of his neighbor. Mrs. Loubalova apparently harbors similar bloodthirsty fantasies for Peony -- in a similarly weird ritual set in an abandoned church she whips and then drowns a straw effigy of her fellow apartment tenant. Surrounding this unlikely romance of sorts are the onanistic obsessions of another quartet of very kinky characters. Mrs. Malkova (Barbora Hrzanova) the neighborhood postwoman has a penchant for balling up pieces of bread for unlikely purposes. Kula (Jiri Labus) the guy who sells Peony his nudie mags has created an elaborate autoerotic device connected to his TV complete with robot controls and rubber hands designed to um augment his enjoyment of the news -- especially when read by Mrs. Beltinska (Anna Wetlinska). Mrs. Beltinska in turn reaches the height of on-the-air bliss by having her toes sucked by a pair of carp hidden beneath her desk. And finally her husband a police inspector is much more interested in scrubbing his naked self with rollers spiked with nails or funnels filled with fur than in fulfilling his marital duties.

Czech animator Jan Svankmajer gained acclaim and notoriety for his eerie , nightmarish stop - motion animated pieces fashioned out of discarded dolls , battered marionettes , and pieces of junk. His films such as Alice and Faust delved headlong into the subconscious and dredged up images that were imbued not only with a woozy sense of dread but with a savage sense of wit. Svankmajer 's third feature -- and his first ( mostly ) live - action film -- is an absurdist look at some very weird sexual adventurers. Peony ( Petr Meissel ) is a nebbish bachelor with a passion for porno mags and poultry. At the film's outset , he pulls a live chicken from his wardrobe and has his neighbor , Mrs. Loubalova ( Gabriela Wilhelmova ), cut its throat -- which she does with a fair amount of relish and glee. Using the head as a model , he fashions a papier - mâché chicken mask -- made from old pornography -- and an accompanying chicken suit. Later , in a bizarre backwater ritual , Peony dons his chicken costume and taunts and crushes an effigy of his neighbor. Mrs. Loubalova apparently harbors similar bloodthirsty fantasies for Peony -- in a similarly weird ritual , set in an abandoned church , she whips and then drowns a straw effigy of her fellow apartment tenant. Surrounding this unlikely romance of sorts are the onanistic obsessions of another quartet of very kinky characters. Mrs. Malkova ( Barbora Hrzanova ), the neighborhood postwoman , has a penchant for balling up pieces of bread for unlikely purposes. Kula ( Jiri Labus ), the guy who sells Peony his nudie mags , has created an elaborate autoerotic device connected to his TV , complete with robot controls and rubber hands , designed to , um , augment his enjoyment of the news -- especially when read by Mrs. Beltinska ( Anna Wetlinska ) . Mrs. Beltinska , in turn , reaches the height of on - the - air bliss by having her toes sucked by a pair of carp hidden beneath her desk. And finally her husband , a police inspector , is much more interested in scrubbing his naked self with rollers spiked with nails or funnels filled with fur than in fulfilling his marital duties.

A religious conflict characterizes this drama set in Senegal at the turn-of-the century when the local king becomes a Muslim and decides to break up the small Catholic congregation in the village of the Ceddo. The people revolt against the change and kidnap a princess. To get her back the different sides must engage in many meetings which must be handled in the traditional manner. As an interesting sidelight the film was banned in Senegal because the government disagreed with director Ousmane Sembene's spelling of the word "Ceddo." The government insisted that it could only be spelled with one "d."

A religious conflict characterizes this drama , set in Senegal at the turn - of - the century when the local king becomes a Muslim and decides to break up the small Catholic congregation in the village of the Ceddo. The people revolt against the change and kidnap a princess. To get her back , the different sides must engage in many meetings which must be handled in the traditional manner. As an interesting sidelight , the film was banned in Senegal because the government disagreed with director Ousmane Sembene 's spelling of the word "Ceddo." The government insisted that it could only be spelled with one "d."

This twisted black comedy is obsessed in turn with swans twins and decay. Alba Bewick (Andréa Ferréol) is involved in a swan-related car accident near the zoo. The accident kills two other women the wives of two twin zoologists Oliver and Oswald Deuce (Brian and Eric Deacon). Alba is lucky enough to escape with one leg. Eventually her doctor also removes the other "because it was dangerous for the spine." Meanwhile the Deuce brothers as a result of losing their wives have become fascinated with the decay of corpses and they start making rather gruesome time-lapse films to examine the process more thoroughly. Both brothers become involved with Alba. Needless to say this film may not appeal to everybody.

This twisted black comedy is obsessed in turn with swans , twins , and decay. Alba Bewick ( Andréa Ferréol ) is involved in a swan - related car accident near the zoo. The accident kills two other women , the wives of two twin zoologists , Oliver and Oswald Deuce ( Brian and Eric Deacon ) . Alba is lucky enough to escape with one leg. Eventually her doctor also removes the other "because it was dangerous for the spine." Meanwhile , the Deuce brothers , as a result of losing their wives , have become fascinated with the decay of corpses , and they start making rather gruesome time - lapse films to examine the process more thoroughly. Both brothers become involved with Alba. Needless to say , this film may not appeal to everybody.

Puzzle-master Peter Greenaway exposes another aspect of his peculiar obsessions to the filmgoing public. Prospero's Books uses Shakespeare as a foundation and then skips along to define its own lush territory. The books of the title are briefly referenced in The Tempest -- Prospero is a magician who gets to keep only a small fragment of his enormous library when he is exiled with his daughter to an enchanted island. In the film Prospero is played by Sir John Gielgud. Indeed everybody is voiced by Gielgud as he describes the events that unfold. But mostly he describes the books and as he does the screen fills with florid calligraphies astonishing diagrams extravagant paintings and lots and lots of naked people.

Puzzle - master Peter Greenaway exposes another aspect of his peculiar obsessions to the filmgoing public. Prospero's Books uses Shakespeare as a foundation and then skips along to define its own lush territory. The books of the title are briefly referenced in The Tempest -- Prospero is a magician who gets to keep only a small fragment of his enormous library when he is exiled with his daughter to an enchanted island. In the film , Prospero is played by Sir John Gielgud . Indeed , everybody is voiced by Gielgud as he describes the events that unfold. But mostly , he describes the books , and as he does , the screen fills with florid calligraphies , astonishing diagrams , extravagant paintings , and lots and lots of naked people.

Usually misattributed to the horror genre this challenging and highly unusual drama stars Isabelle Adjani as a young woman who forsakes her husband (Sam Neill) and her lover (Heinz Bennent) for a bizarre tentacled creature that she keeps in a run-down Berlin apartment. In the beginning her husband knows nothing about the monster and sincerely believes that his wife is insane. He has her tailed by private detectives whom she kills and feeds to the creature. Still unaware of what has happened the husband contends with the reserved and inadvertently seductive presence of his wife's look-alike (also played by Adjani) a schoolteacher who frequently comes to tutor his son while his wife is away. Though tempted by her quiet goodness and beauty he is still passionately in love with his wife and even after he finds out about the murders he stays by her side and helps her conceal her crimes. Filmed amidst the oppressive backdrop of the Berlin Wall by the expatriate Polish director Andrzej Zulawski (who was unable to work in his homeland after too many clashes with the authorities) the picture is so relentlessly intense and so deliberately esoteric that most viewers would find it too hard to connect with. Still its symbolism its unbridled and flashy directorial style and the tour de force performance by Isabelle Adjani earned this unique tale a cult following in Europe. The version originally released in the U.S. had 45 minutes chopped out; in this form it is barely comprehensible and looks like a cheap gory feast.

Usually misattributed to the horror genre , this challenging and highly unusual drama stars Isabelle Adjani as a young woman who forsakes her husband ( Sam Neill ) and her lover ( Heinz Bennent ) for a bizarre , tentacled creature that she keeps in a run - down Berlin apartment. In the beginning , her husband knows nothing about the monster and sincerely believes that his wife is insane. He has her tailed by private detectives , whom she kills and feeds to the creature. Still unaware of what has happened , the husband contends with the reserved and inadvertently seductive presence of his wife's look - alike ( also played by Adjani ), a schoolteacher who frequently comes to tutor his son while his wife is away. Though tempted by her quiet goodness and beauty , he is still passionately in love with his wife and even after he finds out about the murders , he stays by her side and helps her conceal her crimes. Filmed amidst the oppressive backdrop of the Berlin Wall by the expatriate Polish director Andrzej Zulawski ( who was unable to work in his homeland after too many clashes with the authorities ), the picture is so relentlessly intense and so deliberately esoteric , that most viewers would find it too hard to connect with. Still its symbolism , its unbridled and flashy directorial style , and the tour de force performance by Isabelle Adjani earned this unique tale a cult following in Europe. The version originally released in the U.S. had 45 minutes chopped out ; in this form , it is barely comprehensible and looks like a cheap , gory feast.

One of Luis Buñuel's most episodic films The Phantom of Liberty focuses on no one particular narrative. In the beginning a man sells postcards of French tourist attractions calling them "pornographic." A sniper in Montparnasse is hailed as a hero for killing passersby. A "missing" child helps the police fill out the report on her. A group of monks play poker using religious medallions as chips and in the most infamous sequence a formally dressed social group gathers at toilets around a table occasionally excusing themselves to go into little stalls in a private room to eat.

One of Luis Buñuel 's most episodic films , The Phantom of Liberty focuses on no one particular narrative. In the beginning , a man sells postcards of French tourist attractions , calling them "pornographic." A sniper in Montparnasse is hailed as a hero for killing passersby. A "missing" child helps the police fill out the report on her. A group of monks play poker , using religious medallions as chips , and in the most infamous sequence , a formally dressed social group gathers at toilets around a table , occasionally excusing themselves to go into little stalls in a private room to eat.

This cinematic/literary hybrid fuses motifs from Beat writer William S. Burroughs's novel of the same name with elements of the author's biography and plenty of the cerebral alienation and biomorphic special effects fans of creepy cult director David Cronenberg have come to expect. Bill Lee (Peter Weller) wants to write but he exterminates bugs to pay the bills. His wife Joan (Judy Davis) becomes addicted to Bill's bug powder dust and soon he joins her in a world of unorthodox hallucinogens; he visits the kindly yet sinister Dr. Benway (Roy Scheider) and walks away with his first dose of the black meat -- a narcotic made from the flesh of the giant aquatic Brazilian centipede. Soon monstrous beetles are whispering conspiracy theories in Bill's ears and his nebbish writer friends Hank (Nicholas Campbell) and Martin (Michael Zelniker) are sleeping with Joan under his nose. When a party trick involving a liquor glass and a gun goes awry killing Joan Bill flees to Interzone a Mediterranean city full of talking insectoid typewriters double agents offbeat aesthetes and plots within plots. As he navigates this paranoid landscape Bill begins ingesting another drug called mugwump jism and writes fragments that Hank and Martin soon assemble into a novel under the title Naked Lunch. As beat literature aficionados know Interzone is based on Tangiers -- the city where Burroughs wrote Naked Lunch. The incident in the film in which Hank and Martin appropriate Bill's writing and have it published closely approximates the real-life circumstances of the novel's publication although it was Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac who helped out the real-life Burroughs. The William Tell incident that kills Bill's wife is also drawn from the author's real life. "William Lee" is both Burroughs' literary stand-in and the name under which he published his first autobiographical novel Junky. Ian Holm who plays Joan Frost's husband Tom would appear in Cronenberg's similarly experimental eXistenZ several years later.

This cinematic / literary hybrid fuses motifs from Beat writer William S. Burroughs 's novel of the same name with elements of the author's biography and plenty of the cerebral alienation and biomorphic special effects fans of creepy cult director David Cronenberg have come to expect. Bill Lee ( Peter Weller ) wants to write , but he exterminates bugs to pay the bills. His wife , Joan ( Judy Davis ), becomes addicted to Bill's bug powder dust , and soon he joins her in a world of unorthodox hallucinogens ; he visits the kindly yet sinister Dr. Benway ( Roy Scheider ) and walks away with his first dose of the black meat -- a narcotic made from the flesh of the giant aquatic Brazilian centipede. Soon , monstrous beetles are whispering conspiracy theories in Bill's ears and his nebbish writer friends Hank ( Nicholas Campbell ) and Martin ( Michael Zelniker ) are sleeping with Joan under his nose. When a party trick involving a liquor glass and a gun goes awry , killing Joan , Bill flees to Interzone , a Mediterranean city full of talking insectoid typewriters , double agents , offbeat aesthetes , and plots within plots. As he navigates this paranoid landscape , Bill begins ingesting another drug called mugwump jism and writes fragments that Hank and Martin soon assemble into a novel under the title Naked Lunch . As beat literature aficionados know , Interzone is based on Tangiers -- the city where Burroughs wrote Naked Lunch . The incident in the film in which Hank and Martin appropriate Bill's writing and have it published closely approximates the real - life circumstances of the novel's publication , although it was Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac who helped out the real - life Burroughs . The William Tell incident that kills Bill's wife is also drawn from the author's real life. "William Lee" is both Burroughs ' literary stand - in and the name under which he published his first autobiographical novel Junky . Ian Holm , who plays Joan Frost's husband , Tom , would appear in Cronenberg 's similarly experimental eXistenZ several years later.

Circus horrors cross over into the mundane world in this terrifying psychedelic film from Alejandro Jodorowsky the man who brought you the infamous El Topo. Fenix (Adan Jodorowsky the director's son) is the son of a circus strongman (Guy Stockwell) and an aerialist (Blanca Guerra). One night the mother sees from her high perspective that her husband is fooling around with the tattooed lady. She later confronts him and throws acid on him in retaliation. He saws off her arms in return and kills himself. Fenix witness to all this runs away raving. Years later Fenix (now played by older brother Axel Jodorowski) is released from an insane asylum by his armless mother. She wants to go on a murderous revenge spree and maybe play a little piano and she needs Fenix to be her arms for both tasks. Though the film has some of the hallucinatory qualities of Jodorowsky's earlier films Santa Sangre doesn't quite have the same punch particularly in terms of cerebral and emotional impact despite its fine visuals. Santa Sangre is available in both R-rated and NC-17 edits.

Circus horrors cross over into the mundane world in this terrifying , psychedelic film from Alejandro Jodorowsky , the man who brought you the infamous El Topo . Fenix ( Adan Jodorowsky , the director's son ) is the son of a circus strongman ( Guy Stockwell ) and an aerialist ( Blanca Guerra ) . One night , the mother sees from her high perspective that her husband is fooling around with the tattooed lady. She later confronts him and throws acid on him in retaliation. He saws off her arms in return and kills himself. Fenix , witness to all this , runs away raving. Years later , Fenix ( now played by older brother Axel Jodorowski ) is released from an insane asylum by his armless mother. She wants to go on a murderous revenge spree , and maybe play a little piano , and she needs Fenix to be her arms for both tasks. Though the film has some of the hallucinatory qualities of Jodorowsky 's earlier films , Santa Sangre doesn't quite have the same punch , particularly in terms of cerebral and emotional impact , despite its fine visuals. Santa Sangre is available in both R - rated and NC - 17 edits.

American architect Stourley Kracklite (Brian Dennehy) comes with his young wife Louisa (Chloe Webb) to Rome to supervise an exhibition devoted to Etienne-Louis Boullée a French architect of the 18th century. Suffering from severe abdominal pains Stourley doesn't pay much attention to his pregnant wife and she finds consolation in the arms of suave Caspasian Speckler (Lambert Wilson). Built from rigidly symmetrical images the film has quite an unusual subject: the belly -- both the sick one of the architect and the pregnant one of his wife the rounded forms alluding to the spherical constructions designed by Boullée the architect whose visionary projects seldom materialized. Beautifully shot on location in Rome this ironic fable wittily examines the issues of artistic creativity.

American architect Stourley Kracklite ( Brian Dennehy ) comes with his young wife Louisa ( Chloe Webb ) to Rome to supervise an exhibition devoted to Etienne - Louis Boullée , a French architect of the 18th century. Suffering from severe abdominal pains , Stourley doesn't pay much attention to his pregnant wife , and she finds consolation in the arms of suave Caspasian Speckler ( Lambert Wilson ) . Built from rigidly symmetrical images , the film has quite an unusual subject : the belly -- both the sick one of the architect and the pregnant one of his wife , the rounded forms alluding to the spherical constructions designed by Boullée , the architect whose visionary projects seldom materialized. Beautifully shot on location in Rome , this ironic fable wittily examines the issues of artistic creativity.

This unusual comic tragedy is filmed both in color and black-and-white and concerns the residents of the mythical island of Goto. Goto III (Pierre Brasseur) is the pompous dictator who allows children to witness public execution and has criminals fight it out in a theater to resolve their differences. Everyone is assigned a menial position leading to full employment but aimless pursuits and no chance of social advancement. A man scheduled to fight on stage runs to the dictator's wife and begs for mercy. The man is given a job in the stable but ends up killing the local flycatcher. He tells the dictator that his wife is having an affair with a lieutenant. The informer is given a gun and ordered to kill the lieutenant but he shoots the dictator instead and assumes power. After the new dictator professes his love for the unfaithful woman she jumps onto the stage rather than subject herself to his amorous advances in this bizarre story of social isolation and compliance.

This unusual comic tragedy is filmed both in color and black - and - white and concerns the residents of the mythical island of Goto. Goto III ( Pierre Brasseur ) is the pompous dictator who allows children to witness public execution and has criminals fight it out in a theater to resolve their differences. Everyone is assigned a menial position , leading to full employment but aimless pursuits and no chance of social advancement. A man scheduled to fight on stage runs to the dictator's wife and begs for mercy. The man is given a job in the stable but ends up killing the local flycatcher. He tells the dictator that his wife is having an affair with a lieutenant. The informer is given a gun and ordered to kill the lieutenant , but he shoots the dictator instead and assumes power. After the new dictator professes his love for the unfaithful woman , she jumps onto the stage rather than subject herself to his amorous advances in this bizarre story of social isolation and compliance.

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Lumière brothers' first films filmmakers Sarah Moon and Philippe Poulet challenged 39 renowned international directors to each complete a 52-second film using the original Cinematographe camera under the conditions endured by the brothers. The result of the project was this film Lumière et Compagnie. The film stock used was homemade from a slightly altered version of the Lumières' recipe. No synchronized sound was allowed and only natural lighting was permitted. The participating directors included John Boorman Costa-Gavras Peter Greenaway Lasse Hallström Spike Lee David Lynch Liv Ullmann and Wim Wenders. Among the actors who performed in the films were Liam Neeson Lena Olin Aidan Quinn and Alan Rickman.

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Lumière brothers ' first films , filmmakers Sarah Moon and Philippe Poulet challenged 39 renowned international directors to each complete a 52 - second film using the original Cinematographe camera under the conditions endured by the brothers. The result of the project was this film , Lumière et Compagnie . The film stock used was homemade from a slightly altered version of the Lumières' recipe. No synchronized sound was allowed and only natural lighting was permitted. The participating directors included John Boorman , Costa - Gavras , Peter Greenaway , Lasse Hallström , Spike Lee , David Lynch , Liv Ullmann , and Wim Wenders . Among the actors who performed in the films were Liam Neeson , Lena Olin , Aidan Quinn , and Alan Rickman .

Filmmaking siblings Joel Coen and Ethan Coen both embraced and poked satirical fun at their Minnesotan roots with this comedy-drama-thriller that earned seven Oscar nominations winning for Best Actress and Best Original Screenplay. Frances McDormand stars as Marge Gunderson a pregnant police chief whose affable folksy demeanor masks a whip-smart mind. When a pair of motorists are found slain not far from the corpse of a state trooper Marge begins piecing together a case involving a pair of dopey would-be kidnappers Carl (Steve Buscemi) and Gaear (Bergman stock player Peter Stormare). They've been hired by Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) a car salesman under the thumb of his wealthy overbearing boss and father-in-law Wade (Harve Presnell). Jerry's raised some money illegally through a petty scam he's run on General Motors and he's about to get caught. When Wade sours a business deal that could save his son-in-law's hide the desperate Jerry hires Carl and Gaear to kidnap his wife and hold her for ransom. Things go predictably wrong and a series of murders occur with Marge waddling along behind her enormous belly and ever-hungering for an all-you-can-eat buffet hot on the trail of the killers. Although the credits for Fargo state that the film is loosely based on real events the story is entirely fictional the claim being just an ironic jibe on the part of the Coens.

Filmmaking siblings Joel Coen and Ethan Coen both embraced and poked satirical fun at their Minnesotan roots with this comedy - drama - thriller that earned seven Oscar nominations , winning for Best Actress and Best Original Screenplay. Frances McDormand stars as Marge Gunderson , a pregnant police chief whose affable , folksy demeanor masks a whip - smart mind. When a pair of motorists are found slain not far from the corpse of a state trooper , Marge begins piecing together a case involving a pair of dopey would - be kidnappers , Carl ( Steve Buscemi ) and Gaear ( Bergman stock player Peter Stormare ) . They've been hired by Jerry Lundegaard ( William H. Macy ), a car salesman under the thumb of his wealthy , overbearing boss and father - in - law , Wade ( Harve Presnell ) . Jerry's raised some money illegally through a petty scam he's run on General Motors and he's about to get caught. When Wade sours a business deal that could save his son - in - law's hide , the desperate Jerry hires Carl and Gaear to kidnap his wife and hold her for ransom. Things go predictably wrong and a series of murders occur , with Marge , waddling along behind her enormous belly and ever - hungering for an all - you - can - eat buffet , hot on the trail of the killers. Although the credits for Fargo state that the film is loosely based on real events , the story is entirely fictional , the claim being just an ironic jibe on the part of the Coens.

Near the end of The Usual Suspects Kevin Spacey in his Oscar-winning performance as crippled con man Roger "Verbal" Kint says "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." This may be the key line in this story; the farther along the movie goes the more one realizes that not everything is quite what it seems and what began as a conventional whodunit turns into something quite different. A massive explosion rips through a ship in a San Pedro CA harbor leaving 27 men dead the lone survivor horribly burned and 91 million dollars' worth of cocaine believed to be on board mysteriously missing. Police detective Dave Kujan (Chazz Palminteri) soon brings in the only witness and key suspect "Verbal" Kint. Kint's nickname stems from his inability to keep his mouth shut and he recounts the events that led to the disaster. Five days earlier a truckload of gun parts was hijacked in Queens NY and five men were brought in as suspects: Kint hot-headed hipster thief McManus (Stephen Baldwin) ill-tempered thug Hockney (Kevin Pollak) flashy wise guy Fenster (Benicio Del Toro) and Keaton (Gabriel Byrne) a cop gone bad now trying to go straight in the restaurant business. While in stir someone suggests that they should pull a job together and Kint hatches a plan for a simple and lucrative jewel heist. Despite Keaton's misgivings the five men pull off the robbery without a hitch and fly to Los Angeles to fence the loot. Their customer asks if they'd be interested in pulling a quick job while out West; the men agree but the robbery goes horribly wrong and they soon find themselves visited by Kobayashi (Pete Postlethwaite) who represents a criminal mastermind named Keyser Soze. Soze's violent reputation is so infamous that he's said to have responded to a threat to murder his family by killing them himself just to prove that he feared no one. When Kobayashi passes along a heist proposed by Soze that sounds like suicide the men feel that they have little choice but to agree.

Near the end of The Usual Suspects , Kevin Spacey , in his Oscar - winning performance as crippled con man Roger "Verbal" Kint , says , "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." This may be the key line in this story ; the farther along the movie goes , the more one realizes that not everything is quite what it seems , and what began as a conventional whodunit turns into something quite different. A massive explosion rips through a ship in a San Pedro , CA , harbor , leaving 27 men dead , the lone survivor horribly burned , and 91 million dollars' worth of cocaine , believed to be on board , mysteriously missing. Police detective Dave Kujan ( Chazz Palminteri ) soon brings in the only witness and key suspect , "Verbal" Kint. Kint's nickname stems from his inability to keep his mouth shut , and he recounts the events that led to the disaster. Five days earlier , a truckload of gun parts was hijacked in Queens , NY , and five men were brought in as suspects : Kint , hot - headed hipster thief McManus ( Stephen Baldwin ), ill - tempered thug Hockney ( Kevin Pollak ), flashy wise guy Fenster ( Benicio Del Toro ), and Keaton ( Gabriel Byrne ), a cop gone bad now trying to go straight in the restaurant business. While in stir , someone suggests that they should pull a job together , and Kint hatches a plan for a simple and lucrative jewel heist. Despite Keaton's misgivings , the five men pull off the robbery without a hitch and fly to Los Angeles to fence the loot. Their customer asks if they'd be interested in pulling a quick job while out West ; the men agree , but the robbery goes horribly wrong and they soon find themselves visited by Kobayashi ( Pete Postlethwaite ), who represents a criminal mastermind named Keyser Soze. Soze's violent reputation is so infamous that he's said to have responded to a threat to murder his family by killing them himself , just to prove that he feared no one. When Kobayashi passes along a heist proposed by Soze that sounds like suicide , the men feel that they have little choice but to agree.

Outrageously violent time-twisting and in love with language Pulp Fiction was widely considered the most influential American movie of the 1990s. Director and co-screenwriter Quentin Tarantino synthesized such seemingly disparate traditions as the syncopated language of David Mamet; the serious violence of American gangster movies crime movies and films noirs mixed up with the wacky violence of cartoons video games and Japanese animation; and the fragmented story-telling structures of such experimental classics as Citizen Kane Rashomon and La jetée. The Oscar-winning script by Tarantino and Roger Avary intertwines three stories featuring Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta in the role that single-handedly reignited his career as hit men who have philosophical interchanges on such topics as the French names for American fast food products; Bruce Willis as a boxer out of a 1940s B-movie; and such other stalwarts as Harvey Keitel Tim Roth Christopher Walken Eric Stoltz Ving Rhames and Uma Thurman whose dance sequence with Travolta proved an instant classic.

Outrageously violent , time - twisting , and in love with language , Pulp Fiction was widely considered the most influential American movie of the 1990s. Director and co - screenwriter Quentin Tarantino synthesized such seemingly disparate traditions as the syncopated language of David Mamet ; the serious violence of American gangster movies , crime movies , and films noirs mixed up with the wacky violence of cartoons , video games , and Japanese animation ; and the fragmented story - telling structures of such experimental classics as Citizen Kane , Rashomon , and La jetée . The Oscar - winning script by Tarantino and Roger Avary intertwines three stories , featuring Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta , in the role that single - handedly reignited his career , as hit men who have philosophical interchanges on such topics as the French names for American fast food products ; Bruce Willis as a boxer out of a 1940s B - movie ; and such other stalwarts as Harvey Keitel , Tim Roth , Christopher Walken , Eric Stoltz , Ving Rhames , and Uma Thurman , whose dance sequence with Travolta proved an instant classic.

Like the TV series that shared the same title The Untouchables (1987) was an account of the battle between gangster Al Capone and lawman Eliot Ness this time in the form of a feature film boasting big stars a big budget and a script from respected playwright David Mamet. Kevin Costner stars as Ness a federal agent who has come to Chicago during the Prohibition Era when corruption in the local police department is rampant. His mission is to put crime lord Capone (Robert De Niro) out of business but Capone is so powerful and popular that Ness is not taken seriously by the law or the press. One night discouraged he meets a veteran patrolman Jimmy Malone (Sean Connery) and discovers that the acerbic Irishman is the one honest man he's been seeking. Malone has soon helped Ness recruit a gunslinger rookie George Stone (Andy Garcia) and joined by nebbish accountant Oscar Wallace (Charles Martin Smith) the men doggedly pursue Capone and his illegal interests. At first a laughingstock Ness soon has Capone outraged over his and Malone's sometimes law-bending tactics and the vain mobster strikes back in vicious style. Ultimately it is the most unexpected and minor of crimes tax evasion which proves Capone's undoing. All of the credits for The Untouchables boasted big names including music from Ennio Morricone and costumes by Giorgio Armani. Director Brian De Palma continued his tradition of including a homage to past masters of the cinema with a taut stairway shoot-out reminiscent of a similar sequence in Sergei Eisenstein's Battleship Potemkin (1925).

Like the TV series that shared the same title , The Untouchables ( 1987 ) was an account of the battle between gangster Al Capone and lawman Eliot Ness , this time in the form of a feature film boasting big stars , a big budget , and a script from respected playwright David Mamet . Kevin Costner stars as Ness , a federal agent who has come to Chicago during the Prohibition Era , when corruption in the local police department is rampant. His mission is to put crime lord Capone ( Robert De Niro ) out of business , but Capone is so powerful and popular that Ness is not taken seriously by the law or the press. One night , discouraged , he meets a veteran patrolman , Jimmy Malone ( Sean Connery ), and discovers that the acerbic Irishman is the one honest man he's been seeking. Malone has soon helped Ness recruit a gunslinger rookie , George Stone ( Andy Garcia ), and , joined by nebbish accountant Oscar Wallace ( Charles Martin Smith ), the men doggedly pursue Capone and his illegal interests. At first a laughingstock , Ness soon has Capone outraged over his and Malone's sometimes law - bending tactics , and the vain mobster strikes back in vicious style. Ultimately , it is the most unexpected and minor of crimes , tax evasion , which proves Capone's undoing. All of the credits for The Untouchables boasted big names , including music from Ennio Morricone and costumes by Giorgio Armani . Director Brian De Palma continued his tradition of including a homage to past masters of the cinema with a taut stairway shoot - out reminiscent of a similar sequence in Sergei Eisenstein 's Battleship Potemkin ( 1925 ) .

In 1992 Reservoir Dogs transformed Quentin Tarantino practically overnight from an obscure unproduced screenwriter and part-time actor to the most influential new filmmaker of the 1990s. The story looks at what happens before and after (but not during) a botched jewelry store robbery organized by Joe Cabot (Lawrence Tierney). Mr. White (Harvey Keitel) is a career criminal who takes a liking to newcomer Mr. Orange (Tim Roth) and enjoys showing him the ropes. Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi) is a weaselly loner obsessed with professionalism. Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen) has just gotten out of jail after taking the rap on a job for Cabot; he's grateful for the work but isn't the same person he used to be. While Mr. Blonde goes nuts during the heist the thieves are surprised by the sudden arrival of the police and Mr. Pink is convinced one of their team is a cop. So who's the rat? What do they do about Mr. Blonde? And what do they do with Mr. Orange who took a bullet in the gut and is slowly bleeding to death? Reservoir Dogs jumps back and forth between pre- and post-robbery events occasionally putting the narrative on pause to let the characters discuss such topics as the relative importance of tipping who starred in Get Christie Love! and what to do when you enter a men's room full of cops carrying a briefcase full of marijuana.

In 1992 , Reservoir Dogs transformed Quentin Tarantino practically overnight from an obscure , unproduced screenwriter and part - time actor to the most influential new filmmaker of the 1990s. The story looks at what happens before and after ( but not during ) a botched jewelry store robbery organized by Joe Cabot ( Lawrence Tierney ) . Mr. White ( Harvey Keitel ) is a career criminal who takes a liking to newcomer Mr. Orange ( Tim Roth ) and enjoys showing him the ropes. Mr. Pink ( Steve Buscemi ) is a weaselly loner obsessed with professionalism. Mr. Blonde ( Michael Madsen ) has just gotten out of jail after taking the rap on a job for Cabot ; he's grateful for the work but isn't the same person he used to be. While Mr. Blonde goes nuts during the heist , the thieves are surprised by the sudden arrival of the police , and Mr. Pink is convinced one of their team is a cop. So who's the rat? What do they do about Mr. Blonde? And what do they do with Mr. Orange , who took a bullet in the gut and is slowly bleeding to death? Reservoir Dogs jumps back and forth between pre - and post - robbery events , occasionally putting the narrative on pause to let the characters discuss such topics as the relative importance of tipping , who starred in Get Christie Love! , and what to do when you enter a men's room full of cops carrying a briefcase full of marijuana.

Though some viewers might be put off by its length graphic violence and absence of likable characters Sergio Leone's final film is also a cinematic masterpiece. Spanning four decades the film tells the story of David "Noodles" Aaronson (Robert De Niro) and his Jewish pals chronicling their childhoods on New York's Lower East Side in the 1920s through their gangster careers in the 1930s and culminating in Noodles' 1968 return to New York from self-imposed exile at which time he learns the truth about the fate of his friends and again confronts the nightmare of his past. The acting the re-creation of the time period the cinematography and the music are all superb. However even more important is Leone's ability to make the film work on so many different levels: it's both a criticism of gangster-film mythology and a continuation of the director's exploration of the issues of time and history. Strange as it may seem the violence and gore in the first half of the film turn into a sad elegy about wasted lives and lost love. The film's strengths emerge only in its full 229-minute version -- the 139-minute and other edited versions don't make nearly the same impact.

Though some viewers might be put off by its length , graphic violence , and absence of likable characters , Sergio Leone 's final film is also a cinematic masterpiece. Spanning four decades , the film tells the story of David "Noodles" Aaronson ( Robert De Niro ) and his Jewish pals , chronicling their childhoods on New York's Lower East Side in the 1920s , through their gangster careers in the 1930s , and culminating in Noodles' 1968 return to New York from self - imposed exile , at which time he learns the truth about the fate of his friends and again confronts the nightmare of his past. The acting , the re - creation of the time period , the cinematography , and the music are all superb. However , even more important is Leone's ability to make the film work on so many different levels : it's both a criticism of gangster - film mythology and a continuation of the director's exploration of the issues of time and history. Strange as it may seem , the violence and gore in the first half of the film turn into a sad elegy about wasted lives and lost love. The film's strengths emerge only in its full 229 - minute version -- the 139 - minute and other edited versions don't make nearly the same impact.

Though John Woo's lifelong admiration of Sam Peckinpah Sergio Leone Martin Scorsese and Stanley Kubrick are also evident in this stylish actioner the film is essentially a tribute to Jean-Pierre Melville and his cult thriller Le Samouraï. During a restaurant shoot-out hitman Jeff (Chow Yun-Fat) accidentally hurts the eyes of a singer (Sally Yeh). Later he meets the girl and discovers that if she does not have a very expensive operation very soon she will go blind. To get the money for the surgery Jeff decides to perform one last hit. The cop (Danny Lee) who has been chasing Jeff for a long time is determined to catch him this time. The film's number of victims makes The Terminator or Rambo pale in comparison but its brilliant visual style and bravura direction earned accolades even from non-action fans.

Though John Woo 's lifelong admiration of Sam Peckinpah , Sergio Leone , Martin Scorsese , and Stanley Kubrick are also evident in this stylish actioner , the film is essentially a tribute to Jean - Pierre Melville and his cult thriller Le Samouraï . During a restaurant shoot - out , hitman Jeff ( Chow Yun - Fat ) accidentally hurts the eyes of a singer ( Sally Yeh ) . Later , he meets the girl and discovers that if she does not have a very expensive operation very soon , she will go blind. To get the money for the surgery , Jeff decides to perform one last hit. The cop ( Danny Lee ), who has been chasing Jeff for a long time , is determined to catch him this time. The film's number of victims makes The Terminator or Rambo pale in comparison , but its brilliant visual style and bravura direction earned accolades even from non - action fans.

Richard Brooks wrote and directed this stark black-and-white (with brilliantly evocative cinematography by Conrad Hall) study of two drifters who murder a family based on Truman Capote's non-fiction novel In Cold Blood. The film takes place in Holcomb Kansas where four members of the Herbert Clutter family are roused from their sleep and brutally murdered. The killers Perry Smith (Robert Blake) and Dick Hickock (Scott Wilson) are two ex-cons who plan to rob the Clutters of $10000 kept in a safe in their home. But Dick and Perry find no safe and no $10000 and end up leaving the murder scene with only $43. The police led by Alvin Dewey (John Forsythe) of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation try to track down the killers. Meanwhile Dick and Perry take off to Mexico where Perry has fantasies of prospecting for gold. But when his dreams of prospecting come to naught Dick insists that they return to the United States. Confident that they have left no clues they cash bad checks and the police track them down in Las Vegas. During questioning their alibis are broken when they are separated and tell conflicting stories.

Richard Brooks wrote and directed this stark black - and - white ( with brilliantly evocative cinematography by Conrad Hall ) study of two drifters who murder a family , based on Truman Capote 's non - fiction novel In Cold Blood . The film takes place in Holcomb , Kansas , where four members of the Herbert Clutter family are roused from their sleep and brutally murdered. The killers , Perry Smith ( Robert Blake ) and Dick Hickock ( Scott Wilson ), are two ex - cons who plan to rob the Clutters of $10 , 000 kept in a safe in their home. But Dick and Perry find no safe and no $10 , 000 and end up leaving the murder scene with only $43. The police , led by Alvin Dewey ( John Forsythe ) of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation , try to track down the killers. Meanwhile , Dick and Perry take off to Mexico , where Perry has fantasies of prospecting for gold. But when his dreams of prospecting come to naught , Dick insists that they return to the United States. Confident that they have left no clues , they cash bad checks , and the police track them down in Las Vegas. During questioning , their alibis are broken when they are separated and tell conflicting stories.

Martin Scorsese explores the life of organized crime with his gritty kinetic adaptation of Nicolas Pileggi's best-selling Wiseguy the true-life account of mobster and FBI informant Henry Hill. Set to a true-to-period rock soundtrack the story details the rise and fall of Hill a half-Irish half-Sicilian New York kid who grows up idolizing the "wise guys" in his impoverished Brooklyn neighborhood. He begins hanging around the mobsters running errands and doing odd jobs until he gains the notice of local chieftain Paulie Cicero (Paul Sorvino) who takes him in as a surrogate son. As he reaches his teens Hill (Ray Liotta) is inducted into the world of petty crime where he distinguishes himself as a "stand-up guy" by choosing jail time over ratting on his accomplices. From that moment on he is a part of the family. Along with his psychotic partner Tommy (Joe Pesci) he rises through the ranks to become Paulie's lieutenant; however he quickly learns that like his mentor Jimmy (Robert DeNiro) his ethnicity prevents him from ever becoming a "made guy" an actual member of the crime family. Soon he finds himself the target of both the feds and the mobsters who feel that he has become a threat to their security with his reckless dealings. Goodfellas was rewarded with six Academy Award nominations including Best Picture; Pesci would walk away with Best Supporting Actor for his work.

Martin Scorsese explores the life of organized crime with his gritty , kinetic adaptation of Nicolas Pileggi 's best - selling Wiseguy , the true - life account of mobster and FBI informant Henry Hill. Set to a true - to - period rock soundtrack , the story details the rise and fall of Hill , a half - Irish , half - Sicilian New York kid who grows up idolizing the "wise guys" in his impoverished Brooklyn neighborhood. He begins hanging around the mobsters , running errands and doing odd jobs until he gains the notice of local chieftain Paulie Cicero ( Paul Sorvino ), who takes him in as a surrogate son. As he reaches his teens , Hill ( Ray Liotta ) is inducted into the world of petty crime , where he distinguishes himself as a "stand - up guy" by choosing jail time over ratting on his accomplices. From that moment on , he is a part of the family. Along with his psychotic partner Tommy ( Joe Pesci ), he rises through the ranks to become Paulie's lieutenant ; however , he quickly learns that , like his mentor Jimmy ( Robert DeNiro ), his ethnicity prevents him from ever becoming a "made guy , " an actual member of the crime family. Soon he finds himself the target of both the feds and the mobsters , who feel that he has become a threat to their security with his reckless dealings. Goodfellas was rewarded with six Academy Award nominations including Best Picture ; Pesci would walk away with Best Supporting Actor for his work.

Francis Ford Coppola's legendary continuation and sequel to his landmark 1972 film The Godfather parallels the young Vito Corleone's rise with his son Michael's spiritual fall deepening The Godfather's depiction of the dark side of the American dream. In the early 1900s the child Vito flees his Sicilian village for America after the local Mafia kills his family. Vito (Robert De Niro) struggles to make a living legally or illegally for his wife and growing brood in Little Italy killing the local Black Hand Fanucci (Gastone Moschin) after he demands his customary cut of the tyro's business. With Fanucci gone Vito's communal stature grows but it is his family (past and present) who matters most to him -- a familial legacy then upended by Michael's (Al Pacino) business expansion in the 1950s. Now based in Lake Tahoe Michael conspires to make inroads in Las Vegas and Havana pleasure industries by any means necessary. As he realizes that allies like Hyman Roth (Lee Strasberg) are trying to kill him the increasingly paranoid Michael also discovers that his ambition has crippled his marriage to Kay (Diane Keaton) and turned his brother Fredo (John Cazale) against him. Barely escaping a federal indictment Michael turns his attention to dealing with his enemies completing his own corruption.

Francis Ford Coppola 's legendary continuation and sequel to his landmark 1972 film , The Godfather , parallels the young Vito Corleone's rise with his son Michael's spiritual fall , deepening The Godfather 's depiction of the dark side of the American dream. In the early 1900s , the child Vito flees his Sicilian village for America after the local Mafia kills his family. Vito ( Robert De Niro ) struggles to make a living , legally or illegally , for his wife and growing brood in Little Italy , killing the local Black Hand Fanucci ( Gastone Moschin ) after he demands his customary cut of the tyro's business. With Fanucci gone , Vito's communal stature grows , but it is his family ( past and present ) who matters most to him -- a familial legacy then upended by Michael's ( Al Pacino ) business expansion in the 1950s. Now based in Lake Tahoe , Michael conspires to make inroads in Las Vegas and Havana pleasure industries by any means necessary. As he realizes that allies like Hyman Roth ( Lee Strasberg ) are trying to kill him , the increasingly paranoid Michael also discovers that his ambition has crippled his marriage to Kay ( Diane Keaton ) and turned his brother , Fredo ( John Cazale ), against him. Barely escaping a federal indictment , Michael turns his attention to dealing with his enemies , completing his own corruption.

Popularly viewed as one of the best American films ever made the multi-generational crime saga The Godfather is a touchstone of cinema: one of the most widely imitated quoted and lampooned movies of all time. Marlon Brando and Al Pacino star as Vito Corleone and his youngest son Michael respectively. It is the late 1940s in New York and Corleone is in the parlance of organized crime a "godfather" or "don" the head of a Mafia family. Michael a free thinker who defied his father by enlisting in the Marines to fight in World War II has returned a captain and a war hero. Having long ago rejected the family business Michael shows up at the wedding of his sister Connie (Talia Shire) with his non-Italian girlfriend Kay (Diane Keaton) who learns for the first time about the family "business." A few months later at Christmas time the don barely survives being shot by gunmen in the employ of a drug-trafficking rival whose request for aid from the Corleones' political connections was rejected. After saving his father from a second assassination attempt Michael persuades his hotheaded eldest brother Sonny (James Caan) and family advisors Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall) and Sal Tessio (Abe Vigoda) that he should be the one to exact revenge on the men responsible. After murdering a corrupt police captain and the drug trafficker Michael hides out in Sicily while a gang war erupts at home. Falling in love with a local girl Michael marries her but she is later slain by Corleone enemies in an attempt on Michael's life. Sonny is also butchered having been betrayed by Connie's husband. As Michael returns home and convinces Kay to marry him his father recovers and makes peace with his rivals realizing that another powerful don was pulling the strings behind the narcotics endeavor that began the gang warfare. Once Michael has been groomed as the new don he leads the family to a new era of prosperity then launches a campaign of murderous revenge against those who once tried to wipe out the Corleones consolidating his family's power and completing his own moral downfall. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards and winning for Best Picture Best Actor (Marlon Brando) and Best Adapted Screenplay The Godfather was followed by a pair of sequels.

Popularly viewed as one of the best American films ever made , the multi - generational crime saga The Godfather is a touchstone of cinema : one of the most widely imitated , quoted , and lampooned movies of all time. Marlon Brando and Al Pacino star as Vito Corleone and his youngest son , Michael , respectively. It is the late 1940s in New York and Corleone is , in the parlance of organized crime , a "godfather" or "don , " the head of a Mafia family. Michael , a free thinker who defied his father by enlisting in the Marines to fight in World War II , has returned a captain and a war hero. Having long ago rejected the family business , Michael shows up at the wedding of his sister , Connie ( Talia Shire ), with his non - Italian girlfriend , Kay ( Diane Keaton ), who learns for the first time about the family "business." A few months later at Christmas time , the don barely survives being shot by gunmen in the employ of a drug - trafficking rival whose request for aid from the Corleones' political connections was rejected. After saving his father from a second assassination attempt , Michael persuades his hotheaded eldest brother , Sonny ( James Caan ), and family advisors Tom Hagen ( Robert Duvall ) and Sal Tessio ( Abe Vigoda ) that he should be the one to exact revenge on the men responsible. After murdering a corrupt police captain and the drug trafficker , Michael hides out in Sicily while a gang war erupts at home. Falling in love with a local girl , Michael marries her , but she is later slain by Corleone enemies in an attempt on Michael's life. Sonny is also butchered , having been betrayed by Connie's husband. As Michael returns home and convinces Kay to marry him , his father recovers and makes peace with his rivals , realizing that another powerful don was pulling the strings behind the narcotics endeavor that began the gang warfare. Once Michael has been groomed as the new don , he leads the family to a new era of prosperity , then launches a campaign of murderous revenge against those who once tried to wipe out the Corleones , consolidating his family's power and completing his own moral downfall. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards and winning for Best Picture , Best Actor ( Marlon Brando ), and Best Adapted Screenplay , The Godfather was followed by a pair of sequels.

This gritty fast-paced and innovative police drama earned five Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Adapted Screenplay (written by Ernest Tidyman) and Best Actor (Gene Hackman). Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle (Hackman) and his partner Buddy Russo (Roy Scheider) are New York City police detectives on narcotics detail trying to track down the source of heroin from Europe into the United States. Suave Alain Charnier (Fernando Rey) is the French drug kingpin who provides a large percentage of New York City's dope and Pierre Nicoli (Marcel Bozzuffi) is a hired killer and Charnier's right-hand man. Acting on a hunch Popeye and Buddy start tailing Sal Boca (Tony Lo Bianco) and his wife Angie (Arlene Faber) who live pretty high for a couple whose corner store brings in about 7000 dollars a year. It turns out Popeye's suspicions are right -- Sal and Angie are the New York agents for Charnier who will be smuggling 32 million dollars' worth of heroin into the city in a car shipped over from France. The French Connection broke plenty of new ground for screen thrillers; Popeye Doyle was a highly unusual "hero" an often violent racist and mean-spirited cop whose dedication to his job fell just short of dangerous obsession. The film's high point a high-speed car chase with Popeye tailing an elevated train was one of the most viscerally exciting screen moments of its day and set the stage for dozens of action sequences to follow. And the film's grimy realism (and downbeat ending) was a big change from the buff-and-shine gloss and good-guys-always-win heroics of most police dramas that preceded it. The French Connection was inspired by a true story and Eddie Egan and Sonny Grosso Popeye and Buddy's real life counterparts both have small roles in the film. A sequel followed four years later.

This gritty , fast - paced , and innovative police drama earned five Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Adapted Screenplay ( written by Ernest Tidyman ), and Best Actor ( Gene Hackman ) . Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle ( Hackman ) and his partner , Buddy Russo ( Roy Scheider ), are New York City police detectives on narcotics detail , trying to track down the source of heroin from Europe into the United States. Suave Alain Charnier ( Fernando Rey ) is the French drug kingpin who provides a large percentage of New York City's dope , and Pierre Nicoli ( Marcel Bozzuffi ) is a hired killer and Charnier's right - hand man. Acting on a hunch , Popeye and Buddy start tailing Sal Boca ( Tony Lo Bianco ) and his wife , Angie ( Arlene Faber ), who live pretty high for a couple whose corner store brings in about 7 , 000 dollars a year. It turns out Popeye's suspicions are right -- Sal and Angie are the New York agents for Charnier , who will be smuggling 32 million dollars' worth of heroin into the city in a car shipped over from France. The French Connection broke plenty of new ground for screen thrillers ; Popeye Doyle was a highly unusual "hero , " an often violent , racist , and mean - spirited cop whose dedication to his job fell just short of dangerous obsession. The film's high point , a high - speed car chase with Popeye tailing an elevated train , was one of the most viscerally exciting screen moments of its day and set the stage for dozens of action sequences to follow. And the film's grimy realism ( and downbeat ending ) was a big change from the buff - and - shine gloss and good - guys - always - win heroics of most police dramas that preceded it. The French Connection was inspired by a true story , and Eddie Egan and Sonny Grosso , Popeye and Buddy's real life counterparts , both have small roles in the film. A sequel followed four years later.

"You've got to ask yourself a question: 'do I feel lucky?' Well do ya punk?" Dirty Harry provoked a critical uproar in 1971 for its "fascist" message about the power of one as it also elevated Clint Eastwood to superstar status through his most enduring screen persona. Harry Callahan (Eastwood in a role meant for Frank Sinatra) is a sardonic hard-working San Francisco cop who can't finish his lunch without having to foil a bank robbery with his 44 Magnum "the most powerful handgun in the world." When hippie-esque psycho Scorpio (Andy Robinson) goes on a killing spree Harry and new partner Chico (Reni Santoni) are assigned to hunt him down but not before the Mayor (John Vernon) and Lt. Bressler (Harry Guardino) admonish Callahan about his heavy-handed tactics. Racing against a deadline to save a kidnap victim from suffocating to death and unbothered by the niceties of Miranda rights and search warrants Callahan brings in Scorpio only to see him released on technicalities. "The law's crazy" opines Harry in disgust before taking it upon himself to ensure that Scorpio doesn't kill again. Directed in violent and efficient fashion by Don Siegel with a propulsive score by Lalo Schifrin Dirty Harry was the fourth Siegel-Eastwood collaboration after Coogan's Bluff (1968) Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970) and The Beguiled (1970). Critics at the time strongly objected to the heroic image of a cop's violations of a suspect's Miranda rights forcing Siegel and Eastwood to deny that they were right-wing reactionaries. All the same Dirty Harry proved to be highly popular and spawned four sequels: Magnum Force (1973) The Enforcer (1976) Sudden Impact (1983) and The Dead Pool (1988).

"You've got to ask yourself a question : 'do I feel lucky?' Well , do ya , punk?" Dirty Harry provoked a critical uproar in 1971 for its "fascist" message about the power of one , as it also elevated Clint Eastwood to superstar status through his most enduring screen persona. Harry Callahan ( Eastwood , in a role meant for Frank Sinatra ) is a sardonic , hard - working San Francisco cop who can't finish his lunch without having to foil a bank robbery with his 44 Magnum , "the most powerful handgun in the world." When hippie - esque psycho Scorpio ( Andy Robinson ) goes on a killing spree , Harry and new partner Chico ( Reni Santoni ) are assigned to hunt him down , but not before the Mayor ( John Vernon ) and Lt. Bressler ( Harry Guardino ) admonish Callahan about his heavy - handed tactics. Racing against a deadline to save a kidnap victim from suffocating to death and unbothered by the niceties of Miranda rights and search warrants , Callahan brings in Scorpio , only to see him released on technicalities. "The law's crazy , " opines Harry in disgust , before taking it upon himself to ensure that Scorpio doesn't kill again. Directed in violent and efficient fashion by Don Siegel , with a propulsive score by Lalo Schifrin , Dirty Harry was the fourth Siegel - Eastwood collaboration after Coogan's Bluff ( 1968 ), Two Mules for Sister Sara ( 1970 ), and The Beguiled ( 1970 ) . Critics at the time strongly objected to the heroic image of a cop's violations of a suspect's Miranda rights , forcing Siegel and Eastwood to deny that they were right - wing reactionaries. All the same , Dirty Harry proved to be highly popular and spawned four sequels : Magnum Force ( 1973 ), The Enforcer ( 1976 ), Sudden Impact ( 1983 ), and The Dead Pool ( 1988 ) .

Producer/star Warren Beatty had to convince Warner Bros. to finance this film which went on to become the studio's second-highest grosser. It also caused major controversy by redefining violence in cinema and casting its criminal protagonists as sympathetic anti-heroes. Based loosely on the true exploits of Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker during the 30s the film begins as Clyde (Beatty) tries to steal the car of Bonnie Parker (Faye Dunaway)'s mother. Bonnie is excited by Clyde's outlaw demeanor and he further stimulates her by robbing a store in her presence. Clyde steals a car with Bonnie in tow and their legendary crime spree begins. The two move from town to town pulling off small heists until they join up with Clyde's brother Buck (Gene Hackman) his shrill wife Blanche (Estelle Parsons) and a slow-witted gas station attendant named C.W. Moss (Michael J. Pollard). The new gang robs a bank and Clyde is soon painted in the press as a Depression-era Robin Hood when he allows one bank customer to hold onto his money. Soon the police are on the gang's trail and they are constantly on the run even kidnapping a Texas Ranger (Denver Pyle) and setting him adrift on a raft handcuffed after he spits in Bonnie's face when she kisses him. That same ranger leads a later raid on the gang that leaves Buck dying Blanche captured and both Clyde and Bonnie injured. The ever-loyal C.W. takes them to his father's house. C.W.'s father disaproves his son's affiliation with gangsters and enters a plea bargain with the Texas Rangers. A trap is set that ends in one of the bloodiest death scenes in cinematic history. The film made stars out of Beatty and Dunaway and it also featured the screen debut of Gene Wilder as a mortician briefly captured by the gang. Its portrayal of Bonnie and Clyde as rebels who empathized with the poor working folks of the 1930s struck a chord with the counterculture of the 1960s and helped generate a new young audience for American movies that carried over into Hollywood's renewal of the 1970s. Its combination of sex and violence with dynamic stars social relevance a traditional Hollywood genre and an appeal to hip young audiences set the pace for many American movies to come.

Producer / star Warren Beatty had to convince Warner Bros. to finance this film , which went on to become the studio's second - highest grosser. It also caused major controversy by redefining violence in cinema and casting its criminal protagonists as sympathetic anti - heroes. Based loosely on the true exploits of Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker during the 30s , the film begins as Clyde ( Beatty ) tries to steal the car of Bonnie Parker ( Faye Dunaway ) 's mother. Bonnie is excited by Clyde's outlaw demeanor , and he further stimulates her by robbing a store in her presence. Clyde steals a car , with Bonnie in tow , and their legendary crime spree begins. The two move from town to town , pulling off small heists , until they join up with Clyde's brother Buck ( Gene Hackman ), his shrill wife Blanche ( Estelle Parsons ), and a slow - witted gas station attendant named C.W. Moss ( Michael J. Pollard ) . The new gang robs a bank and Clyde is soon painted in the press as a Depression - era Robin Hood when he allows one bank customer to hold onto his money. Soon the police are on the gang's trail and they are constantly on the run , even kidnapping a Texas Ranger ( Denver Pyle ) and setting him adrift on a raft , handcuffed , after he spits in Bonnie's face when she kisses him. That same ranger leads a later raid on the gang that leaves Buck dying , Blanche captured , and both Clyde and Bonnie injured. The ever - loyal C.W. takes them to his father's house. C.W.'s father disaproves his son's affiliation with gangsters and enters a plea bargain with the Texas Rangers. A trap is set that ends in one of the bloodiest death scenes in cinematic history. The film made stars out of Beatty and Dunaway , and it also featured the screen debut of Gene Wilder as a mortician briefly captured by the gang. Its portrayal of Bonnie and Clyde as rebels who empathized with the poor working folks of the 1930s struck a chord with the counterculture of the 1960s and helped generate a new , young audience for American movies that carried over into Hollywood's renewal of the 1970s. Its combination of sex and violence with dynamic stars , social relevance , a traditional Hollywood genre , and an appeal to hip young audiences set the pace for many American movies to come.

In the first film of brothers Joel Coen and Ethan Coen M. Emmett Walsh plays Visser an unscrupulous private eye hired by Texas bar owner Marty (Dan Hedaya) to murder Marty's faithless wife Abby (Frances McDormand) and her paramour Ray (John Getz) one of Marty's employees. But Visser is no more up-front with Marty than with anyone else; he makes some slight modifications of the original plan so that it better serves his own best interests. After a surprise double-cross and the murder of one of the important players matters spiral out of control and the plot gyrates through a complicated string of darkly humorous events. False assumptions guilt and fear all lead to a frantic attempt to conceal evidence and the heart-pounding irony-filled denouement. Blood Simple was re-released in the summer of 2000 with a digitally-remastered soundtrack and -- at the Coens' behest -- a few minutes of dialogue trimmed.

In the first film of brothers Joel Coen and Ethan Coen , M. Emmett Walsh plays Visser , an unscrupulous private eye hired by Texas bar owner Marty ( Dan Hedaya ) to murder Marty's faithless wife Abby ( Frances McDormand ) and her paramour , Ray ( John Getz ), one of Marty's employees. But Visser is no more up - front with Marty than with anyone else ; he makes some slight modifications of the original plan so that it better serves his own best interests. After a surprise double - cross and the murder of one of the important players , matters spiral out of control , and the plot gyrates through a complicated string of darkly humorous events. False assumptions , guilt , and fear all lead to a frantic attempt to conceal evidence and the heart - pounding , irony - filled denouement. Blood Simple was re - released in the summer of 2000 with a digitally - remastered soundtrack and -- at the Coens' behest -- a few minutes of dialogue trimmed.

"He wanted to die with me and I dreamed of being lost forever in his arms." A young couple goes on a Midwest crime spree in Terrence Malick's hypnotically assured debut feature based on the 1950s Starkweather-Fugate murders. Fancying himself a rebel like James Dean twentysomething Kit (Martin Sheen) takes off with teen baton-twirler Holly (Sissy Spacek) after shooting her father (Warren Oates) when he tries to split the pair up. Once bounty hunters discover their riverside hiding place Kit and Holly head toward Saskatchewan leaving dead bodies in their wake. As the law closes in however Holly gives herself up -- but Kit doesn't hold it against her as he basks in his new status as a momentary folk hero. Inaugurating the use of voice-over narration that he would continue in Days of Heaven (1978) and The Thin Red Line (1998) Malick juxtaposes Holly's flat readings of her flowery romance-novel diary prose with the banal and surreal details of their journey. Singularly inarticulate with each other Kit and Holly are more intrigued by mythic celebrity gestures as Holly peruses her fan magazines and Kit commemorates key moments before orchestrating a properly dramatic capture for himself (complete with the right hat). The sublime visuals lend a dreamlike beauty to the couple's trip even as their actions are treated casually; Malick neither glamorizes Kit and Holly nor consigns them to the bloody end of their fame-fixated predecessors in Bonnie and Clyde (1967). With the couple's opaque dialogue and Holly's fanzine dream narration Malick further denies an easy explanation for their crimes. Made for under 500000 dollars Badlands debuted at the 1973 New York Film Festival along with Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets and was released within months of two other outlaw-couple road movies Steven Spielberg's The Sugarland Express and Robert Altman's Thieves Like Us. Although Badlands did not make an impression at the box office its pictorial splendor and cool yet disquieting narrative established Malick as one of the most compelling artists to come out of early-'70s Hollywood.

"He wanted to die with me and I dreamed of being lost forever in his arms." A young couple goes on a Midwest crime spree in Terrence Malick 's hypnotically assured debut feature , based on the 1950s Starkweather - Fugate murders. Fancying himself a rebel like James Dean , twentysomething Kit ( Martin Sheen ) takes off with teen baton - twirler Holly ( Sissy Spacek ) after shooting her father ( Warren Oates ) when he tries to split the pair up. Once bounty hunters discover their riverside hiding place , Kit and Holly head toward Saskatchewan , leaving dead bodies in their wake. As the law closes in , however , Holly gives herself up -- but Kit doesn't hold it against her , as he basks in his new status as a momentary folk hero. Inaugurating the use of voice - over narration that he would continue in Days of Heaven ( 1978 ) and The Thin Red Line ( 1998 ), Malick juxtaposes Holly's flat readings of her flowery romance - novel diary prose with the banal and surreal details of their journey. Singularly inarticulate with each other , Kit and Holly are more intrigued by mythic celebrity gestures , as Holly peruses her fan magazines and Kit commemorates key moments before orchestrating a properly dramatic capture for himself ( complete with the right hat ) . The sublime visuals lend a dreamlike beauty to the couple's trip even as their actions are treated casually ; Malick neither glamorizes Kit and Holly nor consigns them to the bloody end of their fame - fixated predecessors in Bonnie and Clyde ( 1967 ) . With the couple's opaque dialogue and Holly's fanzine dream narration , Malick further denies an easy explanation for their crimes. Made for under 500 , 000 dollars , Badlands debuted at the 1973 New York Film Festival , along with Martin Scorsese 's Mean Streets , and was released within months of two other outlaw - couple road movies , Steven Spielberg 's The Sugarland Express and Robert Altman 's Thieves Like Us . Although Badlands did not make an impression at the box office , its pictorial splendor and cool yet disquieting narrative established Malick as one of the most compelling artists to come out of early - '70s Hollywood.

Steven Soderbergh directed this crime caper adapted from the novel by Elmore Leonard. When ex-con Jack Foley (George Clooney) robs a bank his car goes dead and Foley lands in a Florida prison. His escape from prison doesn't go as planned since it's witnessed by deputy federal marshal Karen Sisco (Jennifer Lopez). Foley's pal Buddy Bragg (Ving Rhames) intervenes with the result that Sisco winds up in the trunk of the getaway car with Foley and the two realize they're attracted to each other despite being on opposite sides of the law. However that doesn't stop Sisco from her mission to capture Foley who has spent much of his life in prison. Flashbacks introduce Foley's fellow prisoners including dim dude Glenn Michaels (Steve Zahn) violent Maurice "Snoopy" Miller (Don Cheadle) and insider trader and billionaire Richard Ripley (Albert Brooks) who talks too much about his wealth. This later leads to a break-in at Ripley's posh Detroit estate by Miller his brother-in-law Kenneth (Isaiah Washington) and menacing White Boy Rob (Keith Loneker). While seeking a hidden safe the group threatens Ripley's housekeeper Midge (Nancy Allen). Foley and Bragg are in on this operation but they wind up outwitting the others and Sisco is close on their trail. The film features uncredited cameos by Michael Keaton and Samuel L. Jackson and was shot in locations in Florida Louisiana and Michigan.

Steven Soderbergh directed this crime caper adapted from the novel by Elmore Leonard . When ex - con Jack Foley ( George Clooney ) robs a bank , his car goes dead , and Foley lands in a Florida prison. His escape from prison doesn't go as planned , since it's witnessed by deputy federal marshal Karen Sisco ( Jennifer Lopez ) . Foley's pal Buddy Bragg ( Ving Rhames ) intervenes , with the result that Sisco winds up in the trunk of the getaway car with Foley , and the two realize they're attracted to each other , despite being on opposite sides of the law. However , that doesn't stop Sisco from her mission to capture Foley , who has spent much of his life in prison. Flashbacks introduce Foley's fellow prisoners , including dim dude Glenn Michaels ( Steve Zahn ), violent Maurice "Snoopy" Miller ( Don Cheadle ), and insider trader and billionaire Richard Ripley ( Albert Brooks ), who talks too much about his wealth. This later leads to a break - in at Ripley's posh Detroit estate by Miller , his brother - in - law Kenneth ( Isaiah Washington ), and menacing White Boy Rob ( Keith Loneker ) . While seeking a hidden safe , the group threatens Ripley's housekeeper Midge ( Nancy Allen ) . Foley and Bragg are in on this operation , but they wind up outwitting the others , and Sisco is close on their trail. The film features uncredited cameos by Michael Keaton and Samuel L. Jackson , and was shot in locations in Florida , Louisiana , and Michigan.

ased on the best-selling novel by James Ellroy and directed by Curtis Hanson this award-winning crime drama explores both the dark side of the Los Angeles police force and Southern California's criminal underbelly in the early '50s when Hollywood was still seen as America's capital of sophistication glitter and glamour. Dudley Smith (James Cromwell) is the head of the LAPD and is loyal to his officers and eager to turn a blind eye to violence or corruption within his department as long as it's the "bad guys" who are getting hurt. Bud White (Russell Crowe) is a police detective whose violent and cynical nature is often at war with his basic sense of decency and justice. Ed Exley (Guy Pearce) is a beat cop-turned-detective whose strict by-the-book philosophy and willingness to blow the whistle on other officers is balanced by a shrewd and opportunistic understanding of the internal politics of the department. And Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey) is a flashy "Hollywood" detective who serves as technical advisor for the TV series Badge of Honor. He is also in cahoots with Sid Hudgeons (Danny DeVito) publisher of the scandal sheet Hush Hush who throws kickbacks to Vincennes in exchange for being brought along when showbiz figures get busted. White Exley and Vincennes find themselves drawn into a tangled and sticky web of violence and betrayal following a multiple murder at a coffee shop that is believed to be part of an effort by Mickey Cohen (Paul Guilfoyle) to consolidate his hold on organized crime in L.A. This lead appears to be connected to the discovery of a bizarre pornography and call-girl ring operated by Pierce Patchett (David Strathairn) whose women are given plastic surgery so that they more closely resemble well-known movie stars. White's role in the investigation is complicated when he falls for Lynn Bracken (Kim Basinger) one of Patchett's prostitutes who is the spitting image of Veronica Lake. L.A. Confidential was nominated for nine Academy Awards and netted two with Brian Helgeland honored for Best Adapted Screenplay and Kim Basinger taking home a statuette as Best Supporting Actress.

Based on the best - selling novel by James Ellroy and directed by Curtis Hanson , this award - winning crime drama explores both the dark side of the Los Angeles police force and Southern California's criminal underbelly in the early '50s , when Hollywood was still seen as America's capital of sophistication , glitter , and glamour. Dudley Smith ( James Cromwell ) is the head of the LAPD and is loyal to his officers and eager to turn a blind eye to violence or corruption within his department , as long as it's the "bad guys" who are getting hurt. Bud White ( Russell Crowe ) is a police detective whose violent and cynical nature is often at war with his basic sense of decency and justice. Ed Exley ( Guy Pearce ) is a beat cop - turned - detective whose strict by - the - book philosophy and willingness to blow the whistle on other officers is balanced by a shrewd and opportunistic understanding of the internal politics of the department. And Jack Vincennes ( Kevin Spacey ) is a flashy "Hollywood" detective who serves as technical advisor for the TV series Badge of Honor . He is also in cahoots with Sid Hudgeons ( Danny DeVito ), publisher of the scandal sheet Hush Hush , who throws kickbacks to Vincennes in exchange for being brought along when showbiz figures get busted. White , Exley , and Vincennes find themselves drawn into a tangled and sticky web of violence and betrayal following a multiple murder at a coffee shop that is believed to be part of an effort by Mickey Cohen ( Paul Guilfoyle ) to consolidate his hold on organized crime in L.A. This lead appears to be connected to the discovery of a bizarre pornography and call - girl ring operated by Pierce Patchett ( David Strathairn ), whose women are given plastic surgery so that they more closely resemble well - known movie stars. White's role in the investigation is complicated when he falls for Lynn Bracken ( Kim Basinger ), one of Patchett's prostitutes , who is the spitting image of Veronica Lake . L.A. Confidential was nominated for nine Academy Awards and netted two , with Brian Helgeland honored for Best Adapted Screenplay , and Kim Basinger taking home a statuette as Best Supporting Actress.

A gut-wrenching violent psychological crime drama from start to finish this award-winning film by noted Japanese director Shohei Imamura is based on a true story. Iwao Enokizu (Ken Ogata) is a murderous sociopath who kills two money lenders in a gory opening scene. Then flashbacks are interspersed with Enokizu's flight across Japan as his miserable childhood and the development of his malevolent anti-social behavior are portrayed. Vicious and sexually aggressive Enokizu's rage simmers during an earlier stay in prison as he imagines his wife is bedding down his father. Once on the run from the police his aberrant sexual life and violent nature are further revealed in a series of gripping events.

A gut - wrenching , violent psychological crime drama from start to finish , this award - winning film by noted Japanese director Shohei Imamura is based on a true story. Iwao Enokizu ( Ken Ogata ) is a murderous sociopath who kills two money lenders in a gory opening scene. Then flashbacks are interspersed with Enokizu's flight across Japan as his miserable childhood and the development of his malevolent , anti - social behavior are portrayed. Vicious and sexually aggressive , Enokizu's rage simmers during an earlier stay in prison as he imagines his wife is bedding down his father. Once on the run from the police , his aberrant sexual life and violent nature are further revealed in a series of gripping events.

Richard Condon's delicious black comedy was lovingly translated to the screen by legendary director John Huston in one of his last movies. The Prizzis are a powerful family of mobsters as devoted to their code of honor as they are to bending laws and breaking skulls. Charley Partanna (Jack Nicholson) a Prizzi hit man is not quite so honorable at least where affairs of the heart are concerned. While attending a mob wedding he throws over his longtime sweetheart Maerose Prizzi (Anjelica Huston) in favor of gorgeous Irene Walker (Kathleen Turner). Supposedly a tax consultant Irene is actually a paid killer like Charley--and this endears her to him all the more. But when it turns out that Irene has betrayed the Prizzis Charley finds himself on the horns of a dilemma: does he kill Irene or marry her? Fortuitously Irene helps Charley make up his mind by attempting to kill him. The film's strongest suit is its matter-of-fact approach to Charley and Irene's profession; in the movie's most memorable scene the two lovers calmly discuss their dinner plans while disposing of the corpse of their latest victim. Nominated for eight Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director Prizzi's Honor won Best Supporting Actress for Huston's daughter Anjelica playing the "art imitates life" role of Nicholson's cast-off girl friend. The win made Anjelica John and Walter Huston the only three generations of one family all to win Oscars.

Richard Condon 's delicious black comedy was lovingly translated to the screen by legendary director John Huston in one of his last movies. The Prizzis are a powerful family of mobsters , as devoted to their code of honor as they are to bending laws and breaking skulls. Charley Partanna ( Jack Nicholson ), a Prizzi hit man , is not quite so honorable , at least where affairs of the heart are concerned. While attending a mob wedding , he throws over his longtime sweetheart Maerose Prizzi ( Anjelica Huston ) in favor of gorgeous Irene Walker ( Kathleen Turner ) . Supposedly a tax consultant , Irene is actually a paid killer like Charley -- and this endears her to him all the more. But when it turns out that Irene has betrayed the Prizzis , Charley finds himself on the horns of a dilemma : does he kill Irene or marry her? Fortuitously , Irene helps Charley make up his mind by attempting to kill him. The film's strongest suit is its matter - of - fact approach to Charley and Irene's profession ; in the movie's most memorable scene , the two lovers calmly discuss their dinner plans while disposing of the corpse of their latest victim. Nominated for eight Academy Awards , including Best Picture and Best Director , Prizzi's Honor won Best Supporting Actress for Huston's daughter Anjelica , playing the "art imitates life" role of Nicholson's cast - off girl friend. The win made Anjelica , John , and Walter Huston the only three generations of one family all to win Oscars.

Director Stephen Frears' tense adaptation of Jim Thompson's novel The Grifters was one of a number of revival film noirs in the first half of the '90s. Updating the setting to contemporary Los Angeles the film follows a trio of con artists who are intent on out-foxing each other. Roy Dillon (John Cusack) is a simple two-bit con whose life is thrown into turmoil when his estranged mother Lilly (Anjelica Huston) returns home in an attempt to evade the law. Lilly doesn't warm to Roy's girlfriend Myra Langtry (Annette Bening) who is too similar to herself. Soon the two women are competing for Roy in a battle that is more of a power struggle than a pursuit of affection and the battle quickly turns dangerous. Huston was nominated for an Academy Award for her work.

Director Stephen Frears ' tense adaptation of Jim Thompson 's novel The Grifters was one of a number of revival film noirs in the first half of the '90s. Updating the setting to contemporary Los Angeles , the film follows a trio of con artists who are intent on out - foxing each other. Roy Dillon ( John Cusack ) is a simple , two - bit con , whose life is thrown into turmoil when his estranged mother Lilly ( Anjelica Huston ) returns home in an attempt to evade the law. Lilly doesn't warm to Roy's girlfriend Myra Langtry ( Annette Bening ), who is too similar to herself. Soon , the two women are competing for Roy in a battle that is more of a power struggle than a pursuit of affection , and the battle quickly turns dangerous. Huston was nominated for an Academy Award for her work.

Long considered a classic of European film noir this existential gangster drama from French director Jean-Pierre Melville was released in the United States only in a severely truncated re-edited and overdubbed version entitled The Godson. Thirty years after its initial public airing Le Samourai (1967) finally saw a limited American release in its intended form. Alain Delon stars as Jef Costello a professional Parisian assassin-for-hire who by nature of his work's solitary demands has no friends. Although he is loved by Jane Lagrange (Natalie Delon the star's real-life wife) Costello knows that Jane already has a lover. After he successfully wipes out a nightclub owner at the behest of his boss Costello discovers that he was seen by the club's pianist Valerie (Cathy Rosier). Although he survives a police lineup thanks to a lie offered up by the fearless Valerie Costello's alibi disintegrates rapidly and his shadowy employer takes out a contract on him. As he seeks revenge on his betrayer Costello must also stay one step ahead of a wily determined superintendent (Francois Perier). Melville's film influenced several other filmmakers and projects most notably director John Woo's The Killer (1989).

Long considered a classic of European film noir , this existential gangster drama from French director Jean - Pierre Melville was released in the United States only in a severely truncated , re - edited , and overdubbed version entitled The Godson . Thirty years after its initial public airing , Le Samourai ( 1967 ) finally saw a limited American release in its intended form. Alain Delon stars as Jef Costello , a professional Parisian assassin - for - hire who , by nature of his work's solitary demands , has no friends. Although he is loved by Jane Lagrange ( Natalie Delon , the star's real - life wife ), Costello knows that Jane already has a lover. After he successfully wipes out a nightclub owner at the behest of his boss , Costello discovers that he was seen by the club's pianist , Valerie ( Cathy Rosier ) . Although he survives a police lineup thanks to a lie offered up by the fearless Valerie , Costello's alibi disintegrates rapidly and his shadowy employer takes out a contract on him. As he seeks revenge on his betrayer , Costello must also stay one step ahead of a wily , determined superintendent ( Francois Perier ) . Melville 's film influenced several other filmmakers and projects , most notably director John Woo 's The Killer ( 1989 ) .

ased on a true 1972 story Sidney Lumet's 1975 drama chronicles a unique bank robbery on a hot summer afternoon in New York City. Shortly before closing time scheming loser Sonny (Al Pacino) and his slow-witted buddy Sal (John Cazale) burst into a Brooklyn bank for what should be a run-of-the-mill robbery but everything goes wrong beginning with the fact that there is almost no money in the bank. The situation swiftly escalates as Sonny and Sal take hostages; enough cops to police the tristate area surround the bank; a large Sonny-sympathetic crowd gathers to watch; the media arrive to complete the circus; and police captain Moretti (Charles Durning) tries to negotiate with Sonny while keeping the volatile spectacle under control. When Sonny's lover Leon (Chris Sarandon) tries to talk Sonny out of the bank we learn the robbery's motive: to finance Leon's sex-change operation. Sonny demands a plane to escape but the end is near once menacingly cool FBI agent Sheldon (James Broderick) arrives to take over the negotiations.

Based on a true 1972 story , Sidney Lumet 's 1975 drama chronicles a unique bank robbery on a hot summer afternoon in New York City. Shortly before closing time , scheming loser Sonny ( Al Pacino ) and his slow - witted buddy , Sal ( John Cazale ), burst into a Brooklyn bank for what should be a run - of - the - mill robbery , but everything goes wrong , beginning with the fact that there is almost no money in the bank. The situation swiftly escalates , as Sonny and Sal take hostages ; enough cops to police the tristate area surround the bank ; a large Sonny - sympathetic crowd gathers to watch ; the media arrive to complete the circus ; and police captain Moretti ( Charles Durning ) tries to negotiate with Sonny while keeping the volatile spectacle under control. When Sonny's lover , Leon ( Chris Sarandon ), tries to talk Sonny out of the bank , we learn the robbery's motive : to finance Leon's sex - change operation. Sonny demands a plane to escape , but the end is near once menacingly cool FBI agent Sheldon ( James Broderick ) arrives to take over the negotiations.

Another entry into the "cheer for the most likeable bad guy" series of Hong Kong action flicks Full Contact tells the oft-told tale of betrayal and revenge but serves it up as a potent cocktail of Western convention mixed with the trademarked Hong Kong style. When Jeff's (Hong Kong superstar Chow Yun Fat in true hard-case form) friend Sam (Anthony Wong) steps on the feet of a local loan shark Jeff comes to his rescue creating a powerful enemy in the vengeful gangster. Seeking to skip town and make good the two hatch a plan to hijack an arms shipment with the help of Sam's flamboyant and malicious cousin Judge (a delightfully sleazy Simon Yam) and his gang of dysfunctional thugs. What Jeff doesn't know is that he's being double-crossed by the wild group of brutal killers who plan to bury him as they make their getaway. Judge forces Sam to off his loyal friend Jeff but Sam botches the job leaving Jeff to return for bitter revenge after dealing with an emotionally painful betrayal and a physically challenging rehabilitation. Director Ringo Lam foregoes the melodrama of Hong Kong counterpart John Woo and goes straight for the jugular with unremittingly stark and graphic violence. At the same time the characters retain a certain amount of sympathy keeping their relationships and reactions realistic and identifiable.

Another entry into the "cheer for the most likeable bad guy" series of Hong Kong action flicks , Full Contact tells the oft - told tale of betrayal and revenge , but serves it up as a potent cocktail of Western convention mixed with the trademarked Hong Kong style. When Jeff's ( Hong Kong superstar Chow Yun Fat in true hard - case form ) friend Sam ( Anthony Wong ) steps on the feet of a local loan shark , Jeff comes to his rescue , creating a powerful enemy in the vengeful gangster. Seeking to skip town and make good , the two hatch a plan to hijack an arms shipment with the help of Sam's flamboyant and malicious cousin Judge ( a delightfully sleazy Simon Yam ) and his gang of dysfunctional thugs. What Jeff doesn't know is that he's being double - crossed by the wild group of brutal killers , who plan to bury him as they make their getaway. Judge forces Sam to off his loyal friend Jeff , but Sam botches the job , leaving Jeff to return for bitter revenge after dealing with an emotionally painful betrayal and a physically challenging rehabilitation. Director Ringo Lam foregoes the melodrama of Hong Kong counterpart John Woo and goes straight for the jugular with unremittingly stark and graphic violence. At the same time , the characters retain a certain amount of sympathy , keeping their relationships and reactions realistic and identifiable.

Two actors best known for their work in the late 1960s Terence Stamp and Peter Fonda star in The Limey a drama in which a recently released felon contemplates the gulf between aging criminals like himself and their modern counterparts. Wilson (Stamp) is a British career criminal who has been released after nine years in prison. He has learned that his daughter Jenny died under suspicious circumstances in Los Angeles so he travels to America for the first time to find out what happened and who's responsible. With the help of an ex-con named Ed (Luis Guzman) Wilson discovers Jenny was romantically involved with Valentine (Fonda) a middle-aged record producer with a shady past and a fondness for young women. In hopes of getting the truth -- and getting to Valentine -- Wilson finds himself doing battle with some of the worst criminals to crawl from the underbelly of Los Angeles; along the way he also meets Elaine (Lesley Ann Warren) an older actress who knew Jenny and reminds Wilson of how little he really did for his daughter while she was alive. Steven Soderbergh's first film after his commercial comeback with 1998's Out Of Sight The Limey features along with Stamp and Fonda two other notable 60's actors in supporting roles Barry Newman and Joe Dallesandro.

Two actors best known for their work in the late 1960s , Terence Stamp and Peter Fonda , star in The Limey , a drama in which a recently released felon contemplates the gulf between aging criminals like himself and their modern counterparts. Wilson ( Stamp ) is a British career criminal who has been released after nine years in prison. He has learned that his daughter Jenny died under suspicious circumstances in Los Angeles , so he travels to America for the first time to find out what happened and who's responsible. With the help of an ex - con named Ed ( Luis Guzman ), Wilson discovers Jenny was romantically involved with Valentine ( Fonda ), a middle - aged record producer with a shady past and a fondness for young women. In hopes of getting the truth -- and getting to Valentine -- Wilson finds himself doing battle with some of the worst criminals to crawl from the underbelly of Los Angeles ; along the way , he also meets Elaine ( Lesley Ann Warren ), an older actress who knew Jenny and reminds Wilson of how little he really did for his daughter while she was alive. Steven Soderbergh 's first film after his commercial comeback with 1998's Out Of Sight , The Limey features , along with Stamp and Fonda , two other notable 60's actors in supporting roles , Barry Newman and Joe Dallesandro .

A surreal crime drama told as only Jim Jarmusch could Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai stars Forest Whitaker as Ghost Dog a hit man living in an unidentified but run-down city in what license plates call "The Industrialized State." Known for his gift of being able to come and go without people noticing him Ghost Dog is a self-taught samurai who is obsessed with order and his strict personal moral code drawn from the philosophies of the Japanese warriors. As every samurai needs a leader to whom he swears loyalty Ghost Dog has devoted himself the service of Louie (John Tormey) a low-level crime boss who once saved his life. When Louie's superiors decide he must be executed Ghost Dog leaps into action methodically wiping out his many enemies. Along with a dizzying series of stylized shoot-outs Ghost Dog also features carrier pigeons characters who read Rashomon a French-speaking ice cream man and a score by RZA from the top-selling hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan who have their own well-documented obsession with Asian culture. Ghost Dog was screened in competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.

A surreal crime drama told as only Jim Jarmusch could , Ghost Dog : The Way of the Samurai stars Forest Whitaker as Ghost Dog , a hit man living in an unidentified but run - down city in what license plates call "The Industrialized State." Known for his gift of being able to come and go without people noticing him , Ghost Dog is a self - taught samurai who is obsessed with order and his strict personal moral code , drawn from the philosophies of the Japanese warriors. As every samurai needs a leader to whom he swears loyalty , Ghost Dog has devoted himself the service of Louie ( John Tormey ), a low - level crime boss who once saved his life. When Louie's superiors decide he must be executed , Ghost Dog leaps into action , methodically wiping out his many enemies. Along with a dizzying series of stylized shoot - outs , Ghost Dog also features carrier pigeons , characters who read Rashomon , a French - speaking ice cream man , and a score by RZA from the top - selling hip - hop group Wu - Tang Clan , who have their own well - documented obsession with Asian culture. Ghost Dog was screened in competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival .

John Boorman who won the 1998 Cannes Film Festival's Direction award for this film previously won the same Cannes award almost three decades earlier for his Leo the Last (1969) about an alienated aristocrat in a London slum. Shot in widescreen color (but printed in sharp black-and-white) The General is a biographical portrait of ruthless Irish crime lord Martin Cahill shot down outside his home by a single assassin on August 18 1994. After this opening the film then unfolds as a lengthy flashback of the events that led to his death sketching in the raw beginnings of the youthful Martin (Eamonn Owens of The Butcher Boy) and moving into the Dublin slum of Hollyfield to show the adult Cahill (Brendan Gleeson) and his link to a local cop Inspector Ned Kenny (Jon Voight). Various thefts enable Cahill to support his wife Frances (Maria Doyle Kennedy) his four children and his sister-in-law Tina (Angeline Ball). As the years pass Cahill rises as a mobster bamboozling cops constructing airtight alibis pulling off a near-impossible jewel heist and setting up a menage a trois with Frances and Tina. (Both actresses were seen previously in Alan Parker's The Commitments).

John Boorman , who won the 1998 Cannes Film Festival 's Direction award for this film , previously won the same Cannes award almost three decades earlier for his Leo the Last ( 1969 ) about an alienated aristocrat in a London slum. Shot in widescreen color ( but printed in sharp black - and - white ), The General is a biographical portrait of ruthless Irish crime lord Martin Cahill , shot down outside his home by a single assassin on August 18 , 1994. After this opening , the film then unfolds as a lengthy flashback of the events that led to his death , sketching in the raw beginnings of the youthful Martin ( Eamonn Owens of The Butcher Boy ) and moving into the Dublin slum of Hollyfield to show the adult Cahill ( Brendan Gleeson ) and his link to a local cop , Inspector Ned Kenny ( Jon Voight ) . Various thefts enable Cahill to support his wife Frances ( Maria Doyle Kennedy ), his four children , and his sister - in - law Tina ( Angeline Ball ) . As the years pass , Cahill rises as a mobster , bamboozling cops , constructing airtight alibis , pulling off a near - impossible jewel heist , and setting up a menage a trois with Frances and Tina. ( Both actresses were seen previously in Alan Parker 's The Commitments ) .

Quentin Tarantino wrote and directed this adaptation of Elmore Leonard's 1995 Rum Punch switching the action from Miami to LA and altering the central character from white to black. Ruthless arms dealer Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson) who lives with perpetually stoned beach-babe Melanie (Bridget Fonda) teams with his old buddy Louis Gara (Robert De Niro) just released from prison after serving four years for armed robbery. ATF agent Ray Nicolette (Michael Keaton) and cop Mark Dargus (Michael Bowen) bust stewardess Jackie Brown (Pam Grier) who was smuggling money into the country for Ordell. Ordell springs Jackie but when middle-aged bail bondsman Max Cherry (Robert Forster) picks her up at the jail he's attracted to her and they choose a romantic route with detours. Mistrust and suspicions surface after Jackie pits Ordell and the cops against each other convincing Ordell that she's going to double-cross the cops. Tarantino commented on the film's budget: "Jackie Brown only cost $12 million. You can't lose. You absolutely positively can't lose. And you don't have to compromise."

Quentin Tarantino wrote and directed this adaptation of Elmore Leonard 's 1995 Rum Punch , switching the action from Miami to LA , and altering the central character from white to black. Ruthless arms dealer Ordell Robbie ( Samuel L. Jackson ), who lives with perpetually stoned beach - babe Melanie ( Bridget Fonda ), teams with his old buddy Louis Gara ( Robert De Niro ), just released from prison after serving four years for armed robbery. ATF agent Ray Nicolette ( Michael Keaton ) and cop Mark Dargus ( Michael Bowen ) bust stewardess Jackie Brown ( Pam Grier ), who was smuggling money into the country for Ordell. Ordell springs Jackie , but when middle - aged bail bondsman Max Cherry ( Robert Forster ) picks her up at the jail , he's attracted to her , and they choose a romantic route with detours. Mistrust and suspicions surface after Jackie pits Ordell and the cops against each other , convincing Ordell that she's going to double - cross the cops. Tarantino commented on the film's budget : " Jackie Brown only cost $12 million. You can't lose. You absolutely , positively can't lose. And you don't have to compromise."

This drama about an undercover cop who learns the hidden dangers of working his way inside the mob was based on a true story. Joe Pistone (Johnny Depp) is an FBI agent who is given an assignment to infiltrate the Mafia; calling himself Donnie Brasco he befriends Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino) a low-level mob hit man whose personal life is in tatters. Lefty's marriage is falling apart his son is a junkie and his health is failing which only adds to his growing disillusionment about having spent 30 years with the Mafia (and killing 26 people) with little to show for it. But in Donnie Lefty sees someone who can succeed where he failed; he takes the young man under his wing and under Lefty's tutelage Donnie quickly rises through the ranks of organized crime; however the longer he plays the role of the gangster the more Joe Pistone finds himself becoming Donnie Brasco in his increasingly rare off hours; it drives a wedge between himself and his wife (Anne Heche) and children and Joe realizes that a break in character among the hoodlums he's come to know could mean a death sentence for himself and his family. Just as importantly Joe has come to regard Lefty as a close and trusted friend and Joe realizes that when the day comes where he has to turn in his Mob associates he'll be ending Lefty's life as surely as if he put a slug in his head himself. The supporting cast includes Michael Madsen as Sonny Lefty's boss and Bruno Kirby as Nicky one of Sonny's henchmen. The real-life Joe Pistone today lives under an assumed name with a 500000-dollar contract on his life still in effect.

This drama about an undercover cop who learns the hidden dangers of working his way inside the mob was based on a true story. Joe Pistone ( Johnny Depp ) is an FBI agent who is given an assignment to infiltrate the Mafia ; calling himself Donnie Brasco , he befriends Lefty Ruggiero ( Al Pacino ), a low - level mob hit man whose personal life is in tatters. Lefty's marriage is falling apart , his son is a junkie , and his health is failing , which only adds to his growing disillusionment about having spent 30 years with the Mafia ( and killing 26 people ) with little to show for it. But in Donnie , Lefty sees someone who can succeed where he failed ; he takes the young man under his wing , and under Lefty's tutelage Donnie quickly rises through the ranks of organized crime ; however , the longer he plays the role of the gangster , the more Joe Pistone finds himself becoming Donnie Brasco in his increasingly rare off hours ; it drives a wedge between himself and his wife ( Anne Heche ) and children , and Joe realizes that a break in character among the hoodlums he's come to know could mean a death sentence for himself and his family. Just as importantly , Joe has come to regard Lefty as a close and trusted friend , and Joe realizes that when the day comes where he has to turn in his Mob associates , he'll be ending Lefty's life as surely as if he put a slug in his head himself. The supporting cast includes Michael Madsen as Sonny , Lefty's boss , and Bruno Kirby as Nicky , one of Sonny's henchmen. The real - life Joe Pistone today lives under an assumed name with a 500 , 000 - dollar contract on his life still in effect.

Noted Mexican filmmaker Arturo Ripstein directed this darkly comic drama of love and murder. Coral Fabre (Regina Orozco) is an overweight emotionally unstable nurse raising two children on her own. Coral is desperately lonely and through a "Lonely Hearts" club she begins corresponding with Nicolas Estrella (Daniel Gimenez Cacho). When Coral finally meets Nicolas she decides that he resembles her favorite actor Charles Boyer (at least when he wears his toupee) -- and is convinced that they were destined to be together. The fact that Nicolas stole Coral's money after spending the night together does nothing to dissuade her; she learns that Nicolas makes his living by finding rich women and using his charm taking their savings before abandoning them. Leaving her children with an orphanage Coral joins Nicolas as his lover and partner in crime posing as his sister as he continues his work. Nicolas finds Coral's passion for him exciting but their amour fou turns deadly when Coral's all-consuming jealousy leads her to murder Nicolas' victims. Profundo Carmesi was based on the true story of American multiple murderers Martha Beck and Raymond Fernandez which also inspired the film The Honeymoon Killers (1969).

Noted Mexican filmmaker Arturo Ripstein directed this darkly comic drama of love and murder. Coral Fabre ( Regina Orozco ) is an overweight , emotionally unstable nurse raising two children on her own. Coral is desperately lonely , and through a "Lonely Hearts" club , she begins corresponding with Nicolas Estrella ( Daniel Gimenez Cacho ) . When Coral finally meets Nicolas , she decides that he resembles her favorite actor , Charles Boyer ( at least when he wears his toupee ) -- and is convinced that they were destined to be together. The fact that Nicolas stole Coral's money after spending the night together does nothing to dissuade her ; she learns that Nicolas makes his living by finding rich women and , using his charm , taking their savings before abandoning them. Leaving her children with an orphanage , Coral joins Nicolas as his lover and partner in crime , posing as his sister as he continues his work. Nicolas finds Coral's passion for him exciting , but their amour fou turns deadly when Coral's all - consuming jealousy leads her to murder Nicolas' victims. Profundo Carmesi was based on the true story of American multiple murderers Martha Beck and Raymond Fernandez , which also inspired the film The Honeymoon Killers ( 1969 ) .

A successful career criminal considers getting out of the business after one last score while an obsessive cop desperately tries to put him behind bars in this intelligent thriller written and directed by Michael Mann. Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) is a thief who specializes in big risky jobs such as banks and armored cars. He's very good at what he does; he's bright methodical and has honed his skills as a thief at the expense of his personal life vowing never to get involved in a relationship from which he couldn't walk away in 30 seconds. Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) is an L.A.P.D. detective determined to catch McCauley but while McCauley's personal code has forced him to do without a wife and children Hanna's dedication has made a wreck of the home he's tried to have; he's been divorced twice he's all but a stranger to his third wife and he has no idea how to reach out to his troubled step-daughter. While McCauley has enough money to retire and is planning to move to New Zealand he loves the thrill of robbery as much as the profit and is blocking out plans for one more job; meanwhile he's met a woman Eady (Amy Brenneman) whom he's not so sure he can walk away from. The supporting cast includes Val Kilmer as Chris one of McCauley's partners; Ashley Judd as his wife Charlene; Jon Voight as Nate; Hank Azaria as Alan Marciano; and Henry Rollins as Hugh who is beaten up by Hanna.

A successful career criminal considers getting out of the business after one last score , while an obsessive cop desperately tries to put him behind bars in this intelligent thriller written and directed by Michael Mann . Neil McCauley ( Robert De Niro ) is a thief who specializes in big , risky jobs , such as banks and armored cars. He's very good at what he does ; he's bright , methodical , and has honed his skills as a thief at the expense of his personal life , vowing never to get involved in a relationship from which he couldn't walk away in 30 seconds. Vincent Hanna ( Al Pacino ) is an L.A.P.D. detective determined to catch McCauley , but while McCauley's personal code has forced him to do without a wife and children , Hanna's dedication has made a wreck of the home he's tried to have ; he's been divorced twice , he's all but a stranger to his third wife , and he has no idea how to reach out to his troubled step - daughter. While McCauley has enough money to retire and is planning to move to New Zealand , he loves the thrill of robbery as much as the profit , and is blocking out plans for one more job ; meanwhile , he's met a woman , Eady ( Amy Brenneman ), whom he's not so sure he can walk away from. The supporting cast includes Val Kilmer as Chris , one of McCauley's partners ; Ashley Judd as his wife Charlene ; Jon Voight as Nate ; Hank Azaria as Alan Marciano ; and Henry Rollins as Hugh , who is beaten up by Hanna.

The feature film debut of Scottish director Danny Boyle was a dark hip Generation X comedy about a trio of Edinburgh roommates whose narcissistic greed fuels murder and betrayal. Boisterous journalist Alex (Ewan McGregor) flirtatious doctor Juliet (Kerry Fox) and meek accountant David (Christopher Eccleston) possess very different personalities but the roommates are bonded in mutual self-absorbed cynicism. Seeking a fourth boarder to share the rent for their stylish flat they cruelly dismiss several candidates before settling on Hugo (Keith Allen) whose air of detachment meets the roommates' standard of coolness. Hugo's reserve masks criminal involvement however as the roommates discover when they find him dead in bed from a drug overdose with a valise containing enormous amounts of cash. Their nascent greed overwhelms them and the trio dismembers and buries Hugo stealing his money. Only David who understands finance seems to realize that someone's eventually going to seek out such a large sum. As both drug dealers and police get closer to figuring out the friends' secret shy nerdy David becomes violently paranoid while Juliet's allegiance switches back and forth between her roommates. Boyle teamed subsequently with producer Andrew Macdonald and screenwriter John Hodge on several high-profile films.

The feature film debut of Scottish director Danny Boyle was a dark , hip , Generation X comedy about a trio of Edinburgh roommates whose narcissistic greed fuels murder and betrayal. Boisterous journalist Alex ( Ewan McGregor ), flirtatious doctor Juliet ( Kerry Fox ), and meek accountant David ( Christopher Eccleston ) possess very different personalities , but the roommates are bonded in mutual , self - absorbed cynicism. Seeking a fourth boarder to share the rent for their stylish flat , they cruelly dismiss several candidates before settling on Hugo ( Keith Allen ), whose air of detachment meets the roommates' standard of coolness. Hugo's reserve masks criminal involvement , however , as the roommates discover when they find him dead in bed from a drug overdose , with a valise containing enormous amounts of cash. Their nascent greed overwhelms them , and the trio dismembers and buries Hugo , stealing his money. Only David , who understands finance , seems to realize that someone's eventually going to seek out such a large sum. As both drug dealers and police get closer to figuring out the friends' secret , shy , nerdy David becomes violently paranoid , while Juliet's allegiance switches back and forth between her roommates. Boyle teamed subsequently with producer Andrew Macdonald and screenwriter John Hodge on several high - profile films.

Director John Dahl's The Last Seduction is an updated film noir centering around a seductive cheerfully lethal femme fatale. Bridget Gregory (Linda Fiorentino) talks her gullible easily manipulated doctor-husband Clay (Bill Pullman) into pulling off a $700000 drug deal to pay off his gambling debts. But while Clay is in the shower Bridget quietly leaves with the money. She ends up in a bar in a small town where she meets Mike (Peter Berg) and uses him to further her scheme to keep the money and get rid of her inconvenient husband. Linda Fiorentino was championed by many critics for a Best Actress Academy Award nomination but neither she nor the movie could be nominated since the film had made its debut on cable television.

Director John Dahl 's The Last Seduction is an updated film noir centering around a seductive , cheerfully lethal femme fatale. Bridget Gregory ( Linda Fiorentino ) talks her gullible , easily manipulated , doctor - husband Clay ( Bill Pullman ) into pulling off a $700 , 000 drug deal to pay off his gambling debts. But while Clay is in the shower , Bridget quietly leaves with the money. She ends up in a bar in a small town where she meets Mike ( Peter Berg ) and uses him to further her scheme to keep the money and get rid of her inconvenient husband. Linda Fiorentino was championed by many critics for a Best Actress Academy Award nomination , but neither she nor the movie could be nominated since the film had made its debut on cable television.

Get Carter stars Michael Caine as Jack Carter a powerful British gangster out for blood. His brother has been murdered in Newcastle prompting Carter to declare a one-man war on other racketeers. Carter must also get his niece out of the life she is leading as an actress in pornographic films. Now that he is a loose cannon Carter must be eliminated. Get Carter is typical action fare of the 1970s in that there are virtually no "good guys" -- in fact the assassin is probably the most likable character in the piece! Originally rated X for violence and female nudity Get Carter was reclassified as an R after subsequent crime films became even more bloodthirsty.

Get Carter stars Michael Caine as Jack Carter , a powerful British gangster out for blood. His brother has been murdered in Newcastle , prompting Carter to declare a one - man war on other racketeers. Carter must also get his niece out of the life she is leading as an actress in pornographic films. Now that he is a loose cannon , Carter must be eliminated. Get Carter is typical action fare of the 1970s in that there are virtually no "good guys" -- in fact , the assassin is probably the most likable character in the piece! Originally rated X for violence and female nudity , Get Carter was reclassified as an R after subsequent crime films became even more bloodthirsty.

ased on the best-selling novel by George V. Higgins The Friends of Eddie Coyle chronicles the last days of a weary Boston-based weapons dealer. Eddie Coyle (Robert Mitchum) doesn't want to serve a life sentence in prison so he becomes an informant for both the police and the treasury department. Coyle is likewise unwilling to give up his lifestyle thus he continues his illegal gun-running operation for the underworld. The mob becomes aware that Eddie is squealing to the cops so they send his best friend Dillon (Peter Boyle) to rub him out. Dillon compassionately takes Eddie out on the town treating him to dinner and a hockey game...then drives to a deserted field to carry out his orders.

Based on the best - selling novel by George V. Higgins , The Friends of Eddie Coyle chronicles the last days of a weary Boston - based weapons dealer. Eddie Coyle ( Robert Mitchum ) doesn't want to serve a life sentence in prison , so he becomes an informant for both the police and the treasury department. Coyle is likewise unwilling to give up his lifestyle , thus he continues his illegal gun - running operation for the underworld. The mob becomes aware that Eddie is squealing to the cops , so they send his best friend , Dillon ( Peter Boyle ), to rub him out. Dillon compassionately takes Eddie out on the town , treating him to dinner and a hockey game...then drives to a deserted field to carry out his orders.

Thoroughly disillusioned by the Vietnam War John a journalist (Michael Moriarty) turns to heroin smuggling. Acting as John's go-between is the equally burnt-out Ray (Nick Nolte) who delivers the narcotics stateside to the journalist's wife Marge (Tuesday Weld). Soon however Ray and Marge are on the lam chased down by the minions of crooked narcotics agent Antheil (Anthony Zerbe). Who'll Stop the Rain? was based on Robert Stone's award-winning novel Dog Soldiers.

Thoroughly disillusioned by the Vietnam War , John , a journalist ( Michael Moriarty ), turns to heroin smuggling. Acting as John's go - between is the equally burnt - out Ray ( Nick Nolte ), who delivers the narcotics stateside to the journalist's wife , Marge ( Tuesday Weld ) . Soon , however , Ray and Marge are on the lam , chased down by the minions of crooked narcotics agent Antheil ( Anthony Zerbe ) . Who'll Stop the Rain? was based on Robert Stone 's award - winning novel Dog Soldiers .

In Thief James Caan plays Frank a professional jewel thief who wants to marry Jessie (Tuesday Weld) and settle down into a normal life. In order to achieve his dream of a family Frank--who is used to working solo--has to align himself with a crime boss named Leo (Robert Prosky) who will help him gain the money he needs to begin his domestic life. Frank plans to retire after the heist yet he finds himself indebted to Leo and he struggles to break free. Thief is the first feature film from director Michael Mann and it seethes with his stylish atmospheric direction. Though his cool approach may put off some viewers it's a distinctive and effective story-telling approach and Caan's performance ranks among his very best making Thief a crime movie like few others.

In Thief , James Caan plays Frank , a professional jewel thief who wants to marry Jessie ( Tuesday Weld ) and settle down into a normal life. In order to achieve his dream of a family , Frank -- who is used to working solo -- has to align himself with a crime boss named Leo ( Robert Prosky ), who will help him gain the money he needs to begin his domestic life. Frank plans to retire after the heist , yet he finds himself indebted to Leo and he struggles to break free. Thief is the first feature film from director Michael Mann and it seethes with his stylish , atmospheric direction. Though his cool approach may put off some viewers , it's a distinctive and effective story - telling approach , and Caan 's performance ranks among his very best , making Thief a crime movie like few others.

Al Pacino stars as Tony Montana an exiled Cuban criminal who goes to work for Miami drug lord Robert Loggia. Montana rises to the top of Florida's crime chain appropriating Loggia's cokehead mistress (Michelle Pfeiffer) in the process. Howard Hawks' "X Marks the Spot" motif in depicting the story line's many murders is dispensed with in the 1983 Scarface; instead we are inundated with blood by the bucketful especially in the now-infamous buzz saw scene. One carry-over from the original Scarface is Tony Montana's incestuous yearnings for his sister Gina (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio). The screenplay for the 1983 Scarface was written by Oliver Stone.

Al Pacino stars as Tony Montana , an exiled Cuban criminal who goes to work for Miami drug lord Robert Loggia . Montana rises to the top of Florida's crime chain , appropriating Loggia's cokehead mistress ( Michelle Pfeiffer ) in the process. Howard Hawks ' "X Marks the Spot" motif in depicting the story line's many murders is dispensed with in the 1983 Scarface ; instead , we are inundated with blood by the bucketful , especially in the now - infamous buzz saw scene. One carry - over from the original Scarface is Tony Montana's incestuous yearnings for his sister Gina ( Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio ) . The screenplay for the 1983 Scarface was written by Oliver Stone .

Joel and Ethan Coen's third collaboration the gangster film Miller's Crossing stars Gabriel Byrne as Tom Reagan the right-hand man of big-city Irish mob boss Leo (Albert Finney). The film opens with Italian mobster Johnny Caspar (Jon Polito) and his second in command Eddie Dane (J.E. Freeman) informing Leo and Tom that they are going to kill bookie Bernie Bernbaum (John Turturro) because he has been revealing Caspar's fixed fights to other gamblers. Leo informs Caspar that Bernie pays for protection and is not to be touched. After the Italians leave in a huff Tom informs Leo that he should give up Bernie. Tom and Leo are both involved with Verna (Marcia Gay Harden) Bernie's sister. After a failed hit on Leo starts a full-scale mob war Tom reveals to Leo the truth about his relationship with Verna. This leads to a falling-out between the pair. Tom goes to work for Caspar but in truth he is still loyal to Leo. Tom figures out how to manipulate all of the situations so that Leo survives but this may cost Tom his relationship with Verna.

Joel and Ethan Coen 's third collaboration , the gangster film Miller's Crossing , stars Gabriel Byrne as Tom Reagan , the right - hand man of big - city Irish mob boss Leo ( Albert Finney ) . The film opens with Italian mobster Johnny Caspar ( Jon Polito ) and his second in command Eddie Dane ( J.E. Freeman ) informing Leo and Tom that they are going to kill bookie Bernie Bernbaum ( John Turturro ) because he has been revealing Caspar's fixed fights to other gamblers. Leo informs Caspar that Bernie pays for protection and is not to be touched. After the Italians leave in a huff , Tom informs Leo that he should give up Bernie. Tom and Leo are both involved with Verna ( Marcia Gay Harden ), Bernie's sister. After a failed hit on Leo starts a full - scale mob war , Tom reveals to Leo the truth about his relationship with Verna. This leads to a falling - out between the pair. Tom goes to work for Caspar , but in truth , he is still loyal to Leo. Tom figures out how to manipulate all of the situations so that Leo survives , but this may cost Tom his relationship with Verna.

The Derek Bentley Case has been an uneasy blight on the British legal system since the early 1950s. Two young frightened boys were caught by police trying to break into to a building. One of the boys had a gun. When the policeman reached out to the youth to turn over the gun his friend shouted "Let him have it" and the policeman was killed by a gun blast. Whether the boy understood "Let him have it" to mean he should turn over the gun or to kill the police officer has been debated ever since. But the result was the 19-year-old boy was executed for the crime -- only to be posthumously exonerated in 1953. In this dark and biting film by Peter Medak the life of Derek Bentley (Chris Eccleston) that led up to the crime is recreated in pitiful detail as well as the ensuing trial and execution. The story begins in 1952 when the likable Bentley is released from reform school. Bentley is an impressionable young man who returns home to his loving family -- his parents (Tom Courtenay and Eileen Atkins) and sister (Clare Holman) -- but becomes involved with a group of friends led by the intimidating Chris (Paul Reynolds) who live in the poverty of post-World War II Britain and escape their bleak world by emulating the American gangster films they see at the local cinema. They play-act at being gansters but with real guns ... and tragic results.

The Derek Bentley Case has been an uneasy blight on the British legal system since the early 1950s. Two young , frightened boys were caught by police trying to break into to a building. One of the boys had a gun. When the policeman reached out to the youth to turn over the gun , his friend shouted "Let him have it , " and the policeman was killed by a gun blast. Whether the boy understood "Let him have it" to mean he should turn over the gun or to kill the police officer has been debated ever since. But the result was the 19 - year - old boy was executed for the crime -- only to be posthumously exonerated in 1953. In this dark and biting film by Peter Medak , the life of Derek Bentley ( Chris Eccleston ) that led up to the crime is recreated in pitiful detail , as well as the ensuing trial and execution. The story begins in 1952 , when the likable Bentley is released from reform school. Bentley is an impressionable young man who returns home to his loving family -- his parents ( Tom Courtenay and Eileen Atkins ) and sister ( Clare Holman ) -- but becomes involved with a group of friends , led by the intimidating Chris ( Paul Reynolds ), who live in the poverty of post - World War II Britain and escape their bleak world by emulating the American gangster films they see at the local cinema. They play - act at being gansters , but with real guns ... and tragic results.

John Cassavetes takes a contemporary film noir turn (which he would return to in Gloria) after exploring domestic melodrama in A Woman Under the Influence with The Killing of a Chinese Bookie. Ben Gazzara plays Cosmo Vitelli the owner of a sleazy Los Angeles strip joint who loses $20000 at a mob gambling club owned by a small time gangster (Seymour Cassel). Since Cosmo doesn't have the $20000 he is forced to murder a Chinese bookie in order to clear his debt to the mob. What Cosmo doesn't know is he's part of a set-up. The bookie is actually a West Coast mob boss protected around the clock by bodyguards. The mobsters figure that Cosmo will be killed in an impossible hit and they can take over his nightclub. But Cosmo proves luckier than the mobsters think -- he manages to kill his target and now the mobsters have to track down Cosmo and kill him. Initially at 133 minutes the movie was subsequently re-edited by Cassavetes to 109 minutes.

John Cassavetes takes a contemporary film noir turn ( which he would return to in Gloria ) after exploring domestic melodrama in A Woman Under the Influence with The Killing of a Chinese Bookie . Ben Gazzara plays Cosmo Vitelli , the owner of a sleazy Los Angeles strip joint , who loses $20 , 000 at a mob gambling club owned by a small time gangster ( Seymour Cassel ) . Since Cosmo doesn't have the $20 , 000 , he is forced to murder a Chinese bookie in order to clear his debt to the mob. What Cosmo doesn't know is he's part of a set - up. The bookie is actually a West Coast mob boss protected around the clock by bodyguards. The mobsters figure that Cosmo will be killed in an impossible hit and they can take over his nightclub. But Cosmo proves luckier than the mobsters think -- he manages to kill his target , and now the mobsters have to track down Cosmo and kill him. Initially , at 133 minutes , the movie was subsequently re - edited by Cassavetes to 109 minutes.

Joe (George Burns) Al (Art Carney) and Willie (Lee Strasberg) are three senior citizens who share a small apartment in New York City. They live off social security checks and spend their days sitting on a park bench reading newspapers feeding pigeons and fending off obnoxious children. It's a dull life and finally Joe is driven to suggest something radical to break the monotony; why not go on a stick up? None of them have a criminal history (though Joe claims he "did some stealing during the war") but just planning the bank robbery puts a new spring in their step. Al surreptitiously borrows some pistols from the collection of his nephew Pete (Charles Hallahan) and the trio disguised with novelty Groucho Marx-style glasses pulls off their heist to the tune of 35000 dollars. Unfortunately the excitement is too much for Willie who suffers a fatal heart attack the same day. At his funeral Joe and Al decide to give the bulk of the dough to Pete and his family and attempt to blow the rest of it on a whirlwind excursion to Las Vegas. Meanwhile the eccentric robbery has become a colorful news story for the media and the police are closing in on the amateur criminals.

Joe ( George Burns ), Al ( Art Carney ), and Willie ( Lee Strasberg ) are three senior citizens who share a small apartment in New York City. They live off social security checks and spend their days sitting on a park bench , reading newspapers , feeding pigeons , and fending off obnoxious children. It's a dull life , and finally Joe is driven to suggest something radical to break the monotony ; why not go on a stick up? None of them have a criminal history ( though Joe claims he "did some stealing during the war" ), but just planning the bank robbery puts a new spring in their step. Al surreptitiously borrows some pistols from the collection of his nephew , Pete ( Charles Hallahan ), and the trio , disguised with novelty Groucho Marx - style glasses , pulls off their heist to the tune of 35 , 000 dollars. Unfortunately , the excitement is too much for Willie , who suffers a fatal heart attack the same day. At his funeral , Joe and Al decide to give the bulk of the dough to Pete and his family , and attempt to blow the rest of it on a whirlwind excursion to Las Vegas. Meanwhile , the eccentric robbery has become a colorful news story for the media and the police are closing in on the amateur criminals.

After a break of more than 15 years director Francis Ford Coppola and writer Mario Puzo returned to the well for this third and final story of the fictional Corleone crime family. Two decades have passed and crime kingpin Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) now divorced from his wife Kay (Diane Keaton) has nearly succeeded in keeping his promise that his family would one day be "completely legitimate." A philanthropist devoted to public service Michael is in the news as the recipient of a special award from the Pope for his good works a controversial move given his checkered past. Determined to buy redemption Michael and his lawyer B.J. (George Hamilton) are working on a complicated but legal deal to bail the Vatican out of looming financial troubles that will ultimately reap billions and put Michael on the world stage as a major financial player. However trouble looms in several forms: The press is hostile to his intentions. Michael is in failing health and suffers a mild diabetic stroke. Stylish mob underling Joey Zaza (Joe Mantegna) is muscling into the Corleone turf. "The Commission" of Mafia families represented by patriarch Altobello (Eli Wallach) doesn't want to let their cash cow Corleone out of the Mafia though he has made a generous financial offer in exchange for his release from la cosa nostra. And then there's Vincent Mancini (Andy Garcia) the illegitimate and equally temperamental son of Michael's long-dead brother Sonny. Vincent desperately wants in to the family (both literally and figuratively) and at the urging of his sister Connie (Talia Shire) Michael welcomes the young man and allows him to adopt the Corleone name. However a flirtatious attraction between Vincent and his cousin Michael's naïve daughter Mary (Sofia Coppola) develops and threatens to develop into a full-fledged romance and undo the godfather's future plans.

After a break of more than 15 years , director Francis Ford Coppola and writer Mario Puzo returned to the well for this third and final story of the fictional Corleone crime family. Two decades have passed , and crime kingpin Michael Corleone ( Al Pacino ), now divorced from his wife Kay ( Diane Keaton ), has nearly succeeded in keeping his promise that his family would one day be "completely legitimate." A philanthropist devoted to public service , Michael is in the news as the recipient of a special award from the Pope for his good works , a controversial move given his checkered past. Determined to buy redemption , Michael and his lawyer B.J. ( George Hamilton ) are working on a complicated but legal deal to bail the Vatican out of looming financial troubles that will ultimately reap billions and put Michael on the world stage as a major financial player. However , trouble looms in several forms : The press is hostile to his intentions. Michael is in failing health and suffers a mild diabetic stroke. Stylish mob underling Joey Zaza ( Joe Mantegna ) is muscling into the Corleone turf. "The Commission" of Mafia families , represented by patriarch Altobello ( Eli Wallach ) doesn't want to let their cash cow Corleone out of the Mafia , though he has made a generous financial offer in exchange for his release from la cosa nostra . And then there's Vincent Mancini ( Andy Garcia ), the illegitimate and equally temperamental son of Michael's long - dead brother Sonny. Vincent desperately wants in to the family ( both literally and figuratively ), and at the urging of his sister Connie ( Talia Shire ), Michael welcomes the young man and allows him to adopt the Corleone name. However , a flirtatious attraction between Vincent and his cousin , Michael's naïve daughter Mary ( Sofia Coppola ) develops , and threatens to develop into a full - fledged romance and undo the godfather's future plans.

In Sam Peckinpah's version of Walter Hill's script from Jim Thompson's novel an ex-con and his wife go on the lam after a Texas bank heist. Denied parole after four well-behaved years Doc McCoy (Steve McQueen) sends his wife Carol (Ali MacGraw) to dirty politician Jack Benyon (Ben Johnson) to get him out of prison. Carol secures Doc's freedom on the condition that he does one more bank job for Benyon. Doc and his accomplices Rudy (Al Lettieri) and Jackson (Bo Hopkins) get the cash but Doc soon discovers how Rudy intends to keep it all for himself and how Carol convinced Benyon to get him sprung. While Rudy hijacks a veterinarian and his wife (Sally Struthers) to take him to get Doc in El Paso Doc and Carol make their own embattled way south with the money threatening to desert each other before reaching a trash dump rapprochement after a harrowing garbage truck episode. All sides converge in El Paso for a shootout but trust a happily married old-timer (Slim Pickens) to help Doc and Carol have a future. With violence shot in his trademark balletic style Peckinpah does not hide the damage that Doc can do whether to a cop car or an enemy. Still as in such other morally relative outlaw movies as Bonnie and Clyde (1967) and Peckinpah's western The Wild Bunch (1969) Doc may be a criminal and killer when necessary but his and Carol's loyalty to each other elevates them above their crooked milieu. With its non-traditional traditional couple played by the then hot (and notoriously adulterous) stars McQueen and MacGraw The Getaway was a substantial hit. It was lackadaisically remade with Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger in 1994.

In Sam Peckinpah 's version of Walter Hill 's script , from Jim Thompson 's novel , an ex - con and his wife go on the lam after a Texas bank heist. Denied parole after four well - behaved years , Doc McCoy ( Steve McQueen ) sends his wife Carol ( Ali MacGraw ) to dirty politician Jack Benyon ( Ben Johnson ) to get him out of prison. Carol secures Doc's freedom , on the condition that he does one more bank job for Benyon. Doc and his accomplices Rudy ( Al Lettieri ) and Jackson ( Bo Hopkins ) get the cash , but Doc soon discovers how Rudy intends to keep it all for himself and how Carol convinced Benyon to get him sprung. While Rudy hijacks a veterinarian and his wife ( Sally Struthers ) to take him to get Doc in El Paso , Doc and Carol make their own embattled way south with the money , threatening to desert each other before reaching a trash dump rapprochement after a harrowing garbage truck episode. All sides converge in El Paso for a shootout , but trust a happily married old - timer ( Slim Pickens ) to help Doc and Carol have a future. With violence shot in his trademark balletic style , Peckinpah does not hide the damage that Doc can do , whether to a cop car or an enemy. Still , as in such other morally relative outlaw movies as Bonnie and Clyde ( 1967 ) and Peckinpah's western The Wild Bunch ( 1969 ), Doc may be a criminal and killer when necessary , but his and Carol's loyalty to each other elevates them above their crooked milieu. With its non - traditional traditional couple played by the then hot ( and notoriously adulterous ) stars McQueen and MacGraw , The Getaway was a substantial hit. It was lackadaisically remade with Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger in 1994.

Adapted from a novel by pulp writer Jim Thompson After Dark My Sweet evokes memories of the film noirs of yore. Jason Patric plays Collie a short-fused ex-boxer who gets mixed up with alcoholic widow Fay (Rachel Ward) and burned-out former lawman Uncle Bud (Bruce Dern). These two lowlifes involve Collie in a kidnapping scheme. At first willing to go along with the plan Collie tires of Fay's drunken mood swings and seeks out new companionship. Doctor George Dickinson proves all too eager to be friends with Collie -- more than friends in fact. Driven back into Fay's arms Collie agrees to aid in the kidnapping. But when the victim turns out to be diabetic things go from bad to worse.

Adapted from a novel by pulp writer Jim Thompson , After Dark , My Sweet evokes memories of the film noirs of yore. Jason Patric plays Collie , a short - fused ex - boxer who gets mixed up with alcoholic widow Fay ( Rachel Ward ) and burned - out former lawman Uncle Bud ( Bruce Dern ) . These two lowlifes involve Collie in a kidnapping scheme. At first willing to go along with the plan , Collie tires of Fay's drunken mood swings and seeks out new companionship. Doctor George Dickinson proves all too eager to be friends with Collie -- more than friends , in fact. Driven back into Fay's arms , Collie agrees to aid in the kidnapping. But when the victim turns out to be diabetic , things go from bad to worse.

The Fast and the Furious (2001) screenwriter David Ayer follows up that fast-paced action hit with this gritty cop drama from director Antoine Fuqua. Ethan Hawke stars as Jake Hoyt a fresh-faced Los Angeles Police Department rookie anxious to join the elite narcotics squad headed up by 13-year veteran Detective Sergeant Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington). Harris has agreed to give Hoyt a shot at joining his team with a one-day ride-along during which Hoyt must prove his mettle. As the day wears on however it becomes increasingly clear to the greenhorn that his experienced mentor has blurred the line between right and wrong to an alarming degree enforcing his own morally compromised code of ethics and street justice. As he struggles with his conscience an increasingly alarmed Hoyt begins to suspect that he's not really being given an audition at all; he's being set up as the fall guy in an elaborate scheme. Training Day co-stars Tom Berenger Scott Glenn and recording artists Snoop Dogg Dr. Dre and Macy Gray.

The Fast and the Furious ( 2001 ) screenwriter David Ayer follows up that fast - paced action hit with this gritty cop drama from director Antoine Fuqua . Ethan Hawke stars as Jake Hoyt , a fresh - faced Los Angeles Police Department rookie anxious to join the elite narcotics squad headed up by 13 - year veteran Detective Sergeant Alonzo Harris ( Denzel Washington ) . Harris has agreed to give Hoyt a shot at joining his team with a one - day ride - along during which Hoyt must prove his mettle. As the day wears on , however , it becomes increasingly clear to the greenhorn that his experienced mentor has blurred the line between right and wrong to an alarming degree , enforcing his own morally compromised code of ethics and street justice. As he struggles with his conscience , an increasingly alarmed Hoyt begins to suspect that he's not really being given an audition at all ; he's being set up as the fall guy in an elaborate scheme. Training Day co - stars Tom Berenger , Scott Glenn , and recording artists Snoop Dogg , Dr. Dre , and Macy Gray .

Three generations of method acting giants unite for this crime thriller written by Kario Salem and directed by Frank Oz. Robert De Niro stars as Nick Wells an aging thief whose specialty is safecracking and who is on the verge of retiring to a life of ease running his jazz club and romancing his girlfriend Diane (Angela Bassett). But before he can ride off into the sunset Nick is pressured to do one last job by his mentor and business partner a flamboyant and extravagant upscale fence named Max (Marlon Brando). Max is plotting the heist of the Montreal Customs House and he's got a man on the inside Jackie Teller (Edward Norton) a talented but volatile crook who has managed to ingratiate himself with the facility's staff as a fellow employee suffering from cerebral palsy. Jackie bristles at Nick's interference in "his" score however and threatens violence when it seems he's going to be cut out of the action. In the meantime Nick grows increasingly ill at ease about the operation as it violates his two most important dictums in thievery: always work alone and never pull a job in your own city. The part of Max in The Score was written specifically for Brando by screenwriter Salem although the improvisational star and his director Oz reportedly clashed during filming.

Three generations of method acting giants unite for this crime thriller written by Kario Salem and directed by Frank Oz . Robert De Niro stars as Nick Wells , an aging thief whose specialty is safecracking and who is on the verge of retiring to a life of ease , running his jazz club and romancing his girlfriend Diane ( Angela Bassett ) . But before he can ride off into the sunset , Nick is pressured to do one last job by his mentor and business partner , a flamboyant and extravagant upscale fence named Max ( Marlon Brando ) . Max is plotting the heist of the Montreal Customs House , and he's got a man on the inside , Jackie Teller ( Edward Norton ), a talented but volatile crook who has managed to ingratiate himself with the facility's staff as a fellow employee suffering from cerebral palsy. Jackie bristles at Nick's interference in "his" score , however , and threatens violence when it seems he's going to be cut out of the action. In the meantime , Nick grows increasingly ill at ease about the operation , as it violates his two most important dictums in thievery : always work alone and never pull a job in your own city. The part of Max in The Score was written specifically for Brando by screenwriter Salem , although the improvisational star and his director Oz reportedly clashed during filming.

John-Luke Montias makes a triple-threat debut as writer director and star of the tense urban drama Bobby G. Can't Swim. Bobby Grace (John-Luke Montias) is a small-time drug dealer who is just trying to keep himself above water selling cocaine to a collection of losers and ne'er-do-wells in New York's Hell's Kitchen. Despite the pathetic circumstances of his life Bobby and his pals -- girlfriend Lucy (Susan Mitchell) who makes her living as a hooker; Popeet (Norman Milton) a blind man who has a knack for finding salable objects and Coco (Vincent Vega) Bobby's supplier -- are convinced that somehow their lives will get better. One day Bobby's ship would seem to have finally come it; he meets an upscale customer who wants to buy an entire kilo of coke. The deal should earn Bobby a payday big enough to allow him to get out of dealing but the customer demands product before payment and when the payment doesn't arrive Bobby's gravy train turns into an anchor threatening to take him to the bottom of the ocean. Bobby G. Can't Swim received an enthusiastic response in its screening at the 1999 Santa Barbara Film Festival.

John - Luke Montias makes a triple - threat debut as writer , director and star of the tense urban drama Bobby G. Can't Swim . Bobby Grace ( John - Luke Montias ) is a small - time drug dealer who is just trying to keep himself above water , selling cocaine to a collection of losers and ne'er - do - wells in New York's Hell's Kitchen. Despite the pathetic circumstances of his life , Bobby and his pals -- girlfriend Lucy ( Susan Mitchell ), who makes her living as a hooker ; Popeet ( Norman Milton ), a blind man who has a knack for finding salable objects , and Coco ( Vincent Vega ), Bobby's supplier -- are convinced that somehow their lives will get better. One day , Bobby's ship would seem to have finally come it ; he meets an upscale customer who wants to buy an entire kilo of coke. The deal should earn Bobby a payday big enough to allow him to get out of dealing , but the customer demands product before payment , and when the payment doesn't arrive , Bobby's gravy train turns into an anchor threatening to take him to the bottom of the ocean. Bobby G. Can't Swim received an enthusiastic response in its screening at the 1999 Santa Barbara Film Festival .

ritish writer Guy Ritchie made his feature directorial debut with this crime-caper comedy-drama set in London's East End and heavy on the Cockney dialogue (with one scene in subtitled Cockney rhyming slang). A big-bucks scheme goes awry: Cardsharp Eddy (Nick Moran) and pals Bacon (Jason Statham) Tom (Jason Flemyng) and Soap (Dexter Fletcher) scuffle to pile up enough money to put Eddy at the card table opposite gangland porn lord Hatchet Harry (P.H. Moriarty). Unfortunately the whole plan backfires leaving Eddy owing Harry a huge sum payable within the week. In truth Harry hopes to acquire the bar run by his rival J.D. (Sting) who is Eddy's father. To raise the cash Eddy sets out to steal from a marijuana business run by Winston (Steven Mackintosh) but the inevitable gunplay doesn't make for an easy heist. World premiere at the 1998 Edinburgh Film Festival (Focus on British Cinema).

British writer Guy Ritchie made his feature directorial debut with this crime - caper comedy - drama set in London's East End and heavy on the Cockney dialogue ( with one scene in subtitled Cockney rhyming slang ) . A big - bucks scheme goes awry : Cardsharp Eddy ( Nick Moran ) and pals Bacon ( Jason Statham ), Tom ( Jason Flemyng ), and Soap ( Dexter Fletcher ) scuffle to pile up enough money to put Eddy at the card table opposite gangland porn lord Hatchet Harry ( P.H. Moriarty ) . Unfortunately , the whole plan backfires , leaving Eddy owing Harry a huge sum , payable within the week. In truth , Harry hopes to acquire the bar run by his rival , J.D. ( Sting ), who is Eddy's father. To raise the cash , Eddy sets out to steal from a marijuana business run by Winston ( Steven Mackintosh ), but the inevitable gunplay doesn't make for an easy heist. World premiere at the 1998 Edinburgh Film Festival ( Focus on British Cinema ) .

Set amidst the eerie desolation of the Australian outback Kiss or Kill is a superior reworking of vintage film noir materials from the veteran director Bill Bennett. Its lovers-on-the-run story focuses on Nicole (Frances O'Connor) and Al (Matt Day) a pair of petty thieves running a scam targeting married businessmen; when one of their victims accidentally dies they flee his hotel room absconding with his briefcase. The case contains a videotape of Zipper Doyle (Barry Langrishe) a national soccer hero molesting a young boy; Nicole and Al soon take off for Perth intending to blackmail Doyle -- never suspecting that he as well as the police are already in hot pursuit. As the two make their way across the country they leave a trail of dead bodies in their wake; both Nicole and Al begin to suspect that the other is a murderer and as their journey continues their paranoia only grows. A similar feeling of mistrust and dread informs virtually every interpersonal relationship in the film effectively gnawing at our own perceptions and expectations; a stylistically aggressive picture brimming with jump cuts and inventive camera work its distinctive take on the noir tradition is fresh and exciting.

Set amidst the eerie desolation of the Australian outback , Kiss or Kill is a superior reworking of vintage film noir materials from the veteran director Bill Bennett . Its lovers - on - the - run story focuses on Nicole ( Frances O'Connor ) and Al ( Matt Day ), a pair of petty thieves running a scam targeting married businessmen ; when one of their victims accidentally dies , they flee his hotel room , absconding with his briefcase. The case contains a videotape of Zipper Doyle ( Barry Langrishe ), a national soccer hero , molesting a young boy ; Nicole and Al soon take off for Perth , intending to blackmail Doyle -- never suspecting that he , as well as the police , are already in hot pursuit. As the two make their way across the country , they leave a trail of dead bodies in their wake ; both Nicole and Al begin to suspect that the other is a murderer , and as their journey continues , their paranoia only grows. A similar feeling of mistrust and dread informs virtually every interpersonal relationship in the film , effectively gnawing at our own perceptions and expectations ; a stylistically aggressive picture , brimming with jump cuts and inventive camera work , its distinctive take on the noir tradition is fresh and exciting.

Stephen Rea stars as a relentless Russian investigator in this made-for-cable thriller. Based on an actual case this taut film tells the story of Burakov (Rea) a Russian forensic pathologist assigned to track down a brutal serial killer who is targeting young drifters. The nature of the assignment takes its toll on Burakov's personal life as he tracks the killer for years despite the red-tape and bureaucracy of the Soviet state. Nominated for several awards overall that year Donald Sutherland won an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award for his co-starring role as Rea's supportive superior Fetisov. The movie was filmed in Hungary.

Stephen Rea stars as a relentless Russian investigator in this made - for - cable thriller. Based on an actual case , this taut film tells the story of Burakov ( Rea ), a Russian forensic pathologist assigned to track down a brutal serial killer who is targeting young drifters. The nature of the assignment takes its toll on Burakov's personal life , as he tracks the killer for years despite the red - tape and bureaucracy of the Soviet state. Nominated for several awards overall that year , Donald Sutherland won an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award for his co - starring role as Rea 's supportive superior , Fetisov. The movie was filmed in Hungary.

A somber portrait of organized crime and family trauma Little Odessa centers on the trouble caused when hit man Joshua Shapira (Tim Roth) returns to his old neighborhood of Brighton Beach Brooklyn. A hired killer for the Russian Mafia Joshua is given an assignment in his hometown where he renews contact with his younger brother Reuben (Edward Furlong) and an old flame (Moira Kelly). But others do not welcome Joshua's return particularly his harsh estranged father (Maximillian Schell) who had disowned Joshua years before and currently attempts to keep him from visiting his seriously ill mother (Vanessa Redgrave). The pressure of these family crises combine with Joshua's deepening involvement in the local crime scene ultimately triggering a bloody confrontation. First-time director James Gray creates a solemn oppressive atmosphere that emphasizes the already grim nature of his story. The slow pace and familiar crime narrative were attacked by many viewers contributing to a mixed critical reaction but Little Odessa nevertheless won admiration for Gray's visual sense and the skilled performance by Roth in the unsympathetic lead role.

A somber portrait of organized crime and family trauma , Little Odessa centers on the trouble caused when hit man Joshua Shapira ( Tim Roth ) returns to his old neighborhood of Brighton Beach , Brooklyn. A hired killer for the Russian Mafia , Joshua is given an assignment in his hometown , where he renews contact with his younger brother Reuben ( Edward Furlong ) and an old flame ( Moira Kelly ) . But others do not welcome Joshua's return , particularly his harsh , estranged father ( Maximillian Schell ), who had disowned Joshua years before and currently attempts to keep him from visiting his seriously ill mother ( Vanessa Redgrave ) . The pressure of these family crises combine with Joshua's deepening involvement in the local crime scene , ultimately triggering a bloody confrontation. First - time director James Gray creates a solemn , oppressive atmosphere that emphasizes the already grim nature of his story. The slow pace and familiar crime narrative were attacked by many viewers , contributing to a mixed critical reaction , but Little Odessa nevertheless won admiration for Gray 's visual sense and the skilled performance by Roth in the unsympathetic lead role.

A frenetic bloody look at mass murder and the mass media director Oliver Stone's extremely controversial film divided critics and audiences with its mixture of over-the-top violence and bitter cultural satire. At the center of the film written by Stone and Quentin Tarantino among others are Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory (Juliette Lewis) a young couple united by their desire for each other and their common love of violence. Together they embark on a record-breaking exceptionally gory killing spree that captivates the sensation-hungry tabloid media. Their fame is ensured by one newsman Wayne Gale (Robert Downey Jr.) who reports on Mickey and Mallory for his show American Maniacs. Even the duo's eventual capture by the police only increases their notoriety as Gale develops a plan for a Super Bowl Sunday interview that Mickey and Mallory twist to their own advantage. Visually overwhelming Robert Richardson's hyperkinetic cinematography switches between documentary-style black-and-white surveillance video garishly colored psychedelia and even animation in a rapid-fire fashion that mirrors the psychosis of the killers and the media-saturated culture that makes them popular heroes. The film's extreme violence -- numerous edits were required to win an R rating -- became a subject of debate as some critics asserted that the film irresponsibly glorified its murderers and blamed the filmmakers for potentially inciting copy-cat killings. Defenders argued that the film attacks media obsession with violence and satirizes a sensationalistic celebrity-obsessed society. Certain to provoke discussion Natural Born Killers will thoroughly alienate many viewers with its shock tactics chaotic approach and disturbing subject matter while others will value the combination of technical virtuosity and dark commentary on the modern American landscape.

A frenetic , bloody look at mass murder and the mass media , director Oliver Stone 's extremely controversial film divided critics and audiences with its mixture of over - the - top violence and bitter cultural satire. At the center of the film , written by Stone and Quentin Tarantino , among others , are Mickey ( Woody Harrelson ) and Mallory ( Juliette Lewis ), a young couple united by their desire for each other and their common love of violence. Together , they embark on a record - breaking , exceptionally gory killing spree that captivates the sensation - hungry tabloid media. Their fame is ensured by one newsman , Wayne Gale ( Robert Downey , Jr. ), who reports on Mickey and Mallory for his show , American Maniacs . Even the duo's eventual capture by the police only increases their notoriety , as Gale develops a plan for a Super Bowl Sunday interview that Mickey and Mallory twist to their own advantage. Visually overwhelming , Robert Richardson 's hyperkinetic cinematography switches between documentary - style black - and - white , surveillance video , garishly colored psychedelia , and even animation in a rapid - fire fashion that mirrors the psychosis of the killers and the media - saturated culture that makes them popular heroes. The film's extreme violence -- numerous edits were required to win an R rating -- became a subject of debate , as some critics asserted that the film irresponsibly glorified its murderers and blamed the filmmakers for potentially inciting copy - cat killings. Defenders argued that the film attacks media obsession with violence and satirizes a sensationalistic , celebrity - obsessed society. Certain to provoke discussion , Natural Born Killers will thoroughly alienate many viewers with its shock tactics , chaotic approach , and disturbing subject matter , while others will value the combination of technical virtuosity and dark commentary on the modern American landscape.

For his first directorial project in six years Robert Towne selected a timeworn romantic-triangle yarn injecting the material with subtlety and conviction. Tequila Sunrise stars Mel Gibson and Kurt Russell as two lifelong friends who in true James Cagney-Pat O'Brien fashion grow up on the opposite sides of the law. One is a retired drug dealer (at least he says he is) the other a "celebrity" cop. Both fall in love with gorgeous restaurateur Michelle Pfeiffer. Veteran movie buffs will enjoy spotting director Budd Boetticher as a judge and will welcome the presence in the production credits of cinematographer Conrad Hall who earned an Oscar nomination for his richly textured color camerawork.

For his first directorial project in six years , Robert Towne selected a timeworn romantic - triangle yarn , injecting the material with subtlety and conviction. Tequila Sunrise stars Mel Gibson and Kurt Russell as two lifelong friends who , in true James Cagney - Pat O'Brien fashion , grow up on the opposite sides of the law. One is a retired drug dealer ( at least he says he is ), the other a "celebrity" cop. Both fall in love with gorgeous restaurateur Michelle Pfeiffer . Veteran movie buffs will enjoy spotting director Budd Boetticher as a judge , and will welcome the presence in the production credits of cinematographer Conrad Hall , who earned an Oscar nomination for his richly textured color camerawork.

This directorial effort from Phil Joanou stars Sean Penn as an Irish-American undercover cop working the Hell's Kitchen beat. Penn is ostensibly on a sentimental journey to his old neighborhood. Actually he's been assigned to infiltrate a criminal gang led by Ed Harris the brother of Sean's best friend Gary Oldman. Penn suffers the requisite honor vs. duty anguish when he renews his childhood romance with Harris' sister Robin Wright. State of Grace would have had more clout had it been more clear as to time and place: it's supposedly set in the 1990s but the attitudes and behavior are pure 1970s.

This directorial effort from Phil Joanou stars Sean Penn as an Irish - American undercover cop working the Hell's Kitchen beat. Penn is ostensibly on a sentimental journey to his old neighborhood. Actually he's been assigned to infiltrate a criminal gang led by Ed Harris , the brother of Sean's best friend Gary Oldman . Penn suffers the requisite honor vs. duty anguish when he renews his childhood romance with Harris ' sister Robin Wright . State of Grace would have had more clout had it been more clear as to time and place : it's supposedly set in the 1990s , but the attitudes and behavior are pure 1970s.

ill Duke directs this quirky film adaptation of Chester Himes' crime novel -- a heavily plotted gangster tale with a sweet love story hidden underneath. The film begins in Natchez Mississippi in 1956. During a police shoot-out with the mob leader Slim's (Badja Djola) gang Slim's moll Imabelle (Robin Givens) takes off with a cadre of stolen gold. As a result Imabelle is chased by Slim's mob from Mississippi to New York. By the time she reaches Harlem she is broke and has to figure out a way to ditch the trunk full of gold. She finds herself at the annual Undertaker's Ball where she sees the big and dumb Jackson (Forest Whitaker) a bumbling undertaker's assistant. She spots Jackson as a mark that she can use as a cover and latches onto him immediately. She moves in with him to hide out but Imabelle becomes taken with his innocence. For his part Jackson falls head over heels in love with her. But the Mississippi mob catches up with her and takes her away. Jackson calls in his street-wise brother Goldy (Gregory Hines) to help him rescue Imabelle. Jackson fears that Imabelle has been kidnapped. But Goldy knows better -- he still agrees to help him but Goldy wants the gold for himself.

Bill Duke directs this quirky film adaptation of Chester Himes' crime novel -- a heavily plotted gangster tale with a sweet love story hidden underneath. The film begins in Natchez , Mississippi in 1956. During a police shoot - out with the mob leader Slim's ( Badja Djola ) gang , Slim's moll Imabelle ( Robin Givens ) takes off with a cadre of stolen gold. As a result , Imabelle is chased by Slim's mob from Mississippi to New York. By the time she reaches Harlem , she is broke and has to figure out a way to ditch the trunk full of gold. She finds herself at the annual Undertaker's Ball , where she sees the big and dumb Jackson ( Forest Whitaker ), a bumbling undertaker's assistant. She spots Jackson as a mark that she can use as a cover and latches onto him immediately. She moves in with him to hide out , but Imabelle becomes taken with his innocence. For his part , Jackson falls head over heels in love with her. But the Mississippi mob catches up with her and takes her away. Jackson calls in his street - wise brother Goldy ( Gregory Hines ) to help him rescue Imabelle. Jackson fears that Imabelle has been kidnapped. But Goldy knows better -- he still agrees to help him but Goldy wants the gold for himself.

New York detective Moe Brummell (George Segal) is assigned to track down a serial killer who has been preying on lonely middle-aged ladies. Each of the bodies is discovered with a lipstick kiss drawn on the forehead. We know (but Brummell doesn't) that the murderer is Christopher Gill (Rod Steiger) a round-the-bend actor whose hatred for his mother has driven him to his killing spree. Gill is fond of adopting a different personality and costume with each killing (a priest a homosexual a plumber etc.) making him doubly difficult to trace. When Brummell comments to the media that he's up against a criminal genius he finds himself the reluctant recipient of Gill's anonymous phone calls wherein the killer plants cryptic clues leading to his next crime. It may not be readily apparent from the previous sentence but No Way to Treat a Lady is a comedy-albeit a jet-black one. Moe Brummell is hampered with an archetypal Jewish mamma (Eileen Heckart) who in her own way is as deadly as the elusive Christopher Gill. Lee Remick plays Brummell's girl friend who as the only person who might be able to identify Gill is placed in harm's way at the film's climax. A curious by-product of No Way to Treat a Lady is the fact that Rod Steiger was cast in the lead in the 1976 biopic W.C. Fields and Me on the basis of the third-rate Fields imitation he offers to George Segal during one of his taunting phone calls.

New York detective Moe Brummell ( George Segal ) is assigned to track down a serial killer who has been preying on lonely middle - aged ladies. Each of the bodies is discovered with a lipstick kiss drawn on the forehead. We know ( but Brummell doesn't ) that the murderer is Christopher Gill ( Rod Steiger ), a round - the - bend actor whose hatred for his mother has driven him to his killing spree. Gill is fond of adopting a different personality and costume with each killing ( a priest , a homosexual , a plumber etc. ), making him doubly difficult to trace. When Brummell comments to the media that he's up against a criminal genius , he finds himself the reluctant recipient of Gill's anonymous phone calls , wherein the killer plants cryptic clues leading to his next crime. It may not be readily apparent from the previous sentence , but No Way to Treat a Lady is a comedy - albeit a jet - black one. Moe Brummell is hampered with an archetypal Jewish mamma ( Eileen Heckart ), who in her own way is as deadly as the elusive Christopher Gill. Lee Remick plays Brummell's girl friend , who , as the only person who might be able to identify Gill , is placed in harm's way at the film's climax. A curious by - product of No Way to Treat a Lady is the fact that Rod Steiger was cast in the lead in the 1976 biopic W.C. Fields and Me on the basis of the third - rate Fields imitation he offers to George Segal during one of his taunting phone calls.

Either loved or hated by the critics this is the debut film by the 29-year-old writer/director Nick Gomez. A three-day slice-of-life in Brooklyn done in the cinema verite style this is a violent movie portraying two ruthless thieves and their friends involved in illegal activities--following them through the urban underbelly as they commit their crimes and are pursued by the police.

Either loved or hated by the critics , this is the debut film by the 29 - year - old writer / director , Nick Gomez . A three - day slice - of - life in Brooklyn done in the cinema verite style , this is a violent movie portraying two ruthless thieves and their friends involved in illegal activities -- following them through the urban underbelly as they commit their crimes and are pursued by the police.

In this glossy L.A. crime drama by Mike Figgis Andy Garcia stars as Sgt. Raymond Avila a cop who just joined the Internal Affairs division of the L.A.P.D. An investigation into police corruption has led Avila and his partner Sgt. Amy Wallace (Laurie Metcalf) to Officer Dennis Peck (Richard Gere). Avila suspects something about Peck from the beginning; his influence and dominance over others seems to extend further than the reach of his badge. When officers who wish to testify against Peck start dying the depth of his corruption becomes increasingly clear; at his disposal he has an army of cops and criminals alike. He even agrees to assassinate a sleazy businessman's own parents and humiliates the businessman while they make the deal. In his drive to dominate others Peck attempts to seduce almost every woman around him and is obsessed with children and fatherhood. Peck is most dangerous when the investigation threatens his territory and his extended family; he stalks Avila and turns him against his wife (Nancy Travis).

In this glossy L.A. crime drama by Mike Figgis , Andy Garcia stars as Sgt. Raymond Avila , a cop who just joined the Internal Affairs division of the L.A.P.D. An investigation into police corruption has led Avila and his partner , Sgt. Amy Wallace ( Laurie Metcalf ), to Officer Dennis Peck ( Richard Gere ) . Avila suspects something about Peck from the beginning ; his influence and dominance over others seems to extend further than the reach of his badge. When officers who wish to testify against Peck start dying , the depth of his corruption becomes increasingly clear ; at his disposal , he has an army of cops and criminals alike. He even agrees to assassinate a sleazy businessman's own parents , and humiliates the businessman while they make the deal. In his drive to dominate others , Peck attempts to seduce almost every woman around him and is obsessed with children and fatherhood. Peck is most dangerous when the investigation threatens his territory and his extended family ; he stalks Avila and turns him against his wife ( Nancy Travis ) .

A rag-tag group of con artists and ex-cons team up for the heist to end all heists in this high-profile remake of the 1960 Rat Pack favorite. As with its predecessor Ocean's Eleven opens with its titular hero Danny Ocean (George Clooney stepping into the Frank Sinatra role) eager for a new challenge. The similarities to the original end there as Ocean conspires with his old pal Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt) to rob 150 million dollars from an underground vault that serves three of Las Vegas' biggest casinos. Between the two of them they recruit nine other men each with his own criminal specialty to assist in the mission: moneyman Reuben Tishkoff (Elliot Gould) card dealer Frank (Bernie Mac) pickpocket Linus (Matt Damon) aging con artist Saul (Carl Reiner) British explosives pro Basher (Don Cheadle) techie Dell (Eddie Jemison) rude-boy brothers Virgil (Casey Affleck) and Turk (Scott Caan) and professional acrobat Yen (Shaobo Qin). What Ocean doesn't tell the group is that there's another reason he's coordinating the heist: the three casinos they're robbing are all owned by ruthless gambling mogul Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) who just happens to be married to Ocean's former love Tess (Julia Roberts). Ocean's Eleven was updated by scribe Ted Griffin and marked the third feature shot by director Steven Soderbergh under the alias Peter Andrews.

A rag - tag group of con artists and ex - cons team up for the heist to end all heists in this high - profile remake of the 1960 Rat Pack favorite. As with its predecessor , Ocean's Eleven opens with its titular hero Danny Ocean ( George Clooney stepping into the Frank Sinatra role ) eager for a new challenge. The similarities to the original end there , as Ocean conspires with his old pal Rusty Ryan ( Brad Pitt ) to rob 150 million dollars from an underground vault that serves three of Las Vegas' biggest casinos. Between the two of them , they recruit nine other men , each with his own criminal specialty , to assist in the mission : moneyman Reuben Tishkoff ( Elliot Gould ), card dealer Frank ( Bernie Mac ), pickpocket Linus ( Matt Damon ), aging con artist Saul ( Carl Reiner ), British explosives pro Basher ( Don Cheadle ), techie Dell ( Eddie Jemison ), rude - boy brothers Virgil ( Casey Affleck ) and Turk ( Scott Caan ), and professional acrobat Yen ( Shaobo Qin ) . What Ocean doesn't tell the group is that there's another reason he's coordinating the heist : the three casinos they're robbing are all owned by ruthless gambling mogul Terry Benedict ( Andy Garcia ), who just happens to be married to Ocean's former love Tess ( Julia Roberts ) . Ocean's Eleven was updated by scribe Ted Griffin and marked the third feature shot by director Steven Soderbergh under the alias Peter Andrews .

The directorial debut of Kiefer Sutherland is part-Western part-gangster flick in the style of Quentin Tarantino. Raymond (Vincent Gallo) is paroled from prison but decides to do one last robbery to get money to help him successfully woo his love Addy (Kim Dickens). With fellow ex-con Curtis Freley (Sutherland) and his friend Marcus Weans (Mykelti Williamson) who is really an undercover narcotics agent Raymond botches a drug heist. Fleeing to Mexico they pick up a pair of young yuppie lovers Donna (Grace Phillips) and Gordon (Kevin Pollack) and hold them hostage for the ride. They change their getaway vehicle to Gordon's Winnebago mobile home. In Las Vegas they try to sell stolen drugs to a mob kingpin Tony Vega (Rod Steiger).

The directorial debut of Kiefer Sutherland is part - Western , part - gangster flick in the style of Quentin Tarantino . Raymond ( Vincent Gallo ) is paroled from prison but decides to do one last robbery to get money to help him successfully woo his love Addy ( Kim Dickens ) . With fellow ex - con Curtis Freley ( Sutherland ) and his friend Marcus Weans ( Mykelti Williamson ), who is really an undercover narcotics agent , Raymond botches a drug heist. Fleeing to Mexico , they pick up a pair of young yuppie lovers , Donna ( Grace Phillips ) and Gordon ( Kevin Pollack ), and hold them hostage for the ride. They change their getaway vehicle to Gordon's Winnebago mobile home. In Las Vegas , they try to sell stolen drugs to a mob kingpin , Tony Vega ( Rod Steiger ) .

The sophomore film effort from music video director F. Gary Gray Set It Off is a crime thriller about four women bank robbers from a housing project in L.A. Ever since her parents' death Stony (Jada Pinkett Smith) has had to act as a parent to her little brother Stevie (Chaz Lamar Shepard). She works in various capacities to make a future for him at U.C.L.A. Cleo (Queen Latifah) is a butch lesbian who wants nothing more than to customize her classic car. Tisean (Kimberly Elise) is a painfully shy single mother to her son Jajuan struggling to make ends meet. Frankie (Vivica A. Fox) is the stylish bank teller who gets fired in the opening scene and ends up working with the other three at a janitorial service owned by irritating boss Luther (Thomas Jefferson Byrd). With Frankie upset from her unjust firing Stony angry from the wrongful killing of her brother and Tisean losing her baby to the child protective services the four friends are motivated to rob a bank themselves. Looking for thrills Cleo gets some guns from Black Sam (Dr. Dre in a cameo role) and they pull off their first job without a hitch. Their success starts a trend and they rob other banks in the area all the while being investigated by Detective Strode (John C. McGinley). In a romantic subplot Stony finds romance with wealthy Harvard-educated Keith (Blair Underwood) before the violent chase-scene ending.

The sophomore film effort from music video director F. Gary Gray , Set It Off is a crime thriller about four women bank robbers from a housing project in L.A. Ever since her parents' death , Stony ( Jada Pinkett Smith ) has had to act as a parent to her little brother Stevie ( Chaz Lamar Shepard ) . She works in various capacities to make a future for him at U.C.L.A. Cleo ( Queen Latifah ) is a butch lesbian who wants nothing more than to customize her classic car. Tisean ( Kimberly Elise ) is a painfully shy single mother to her son Jajuan , struggling to make ends meet. Frankie ( Vivica A. Fox ) is the stylish bank teller who gets fired in the opening scene and ends up working with the other three at a janitorial service owned by irritating boss Luther ( Thomas Jefferson Byrd ) . With Frankie upset from her unjust firing , Stony angry from the wrongful killing of her brother , and Tisean losing her baby to the child protective services , the four friends are motivated to rob a bank themselves. Looking for thrills , Cleo gets some guns from Black Sam ( Dr. Dre in a cameo role ), and they pull off their first job without a hitch. Their success starts a trend and they rob other banks in the area , all the while being investigated by Detective Strode ( John C. McGinley ) . In a romantic subplot , Stony finds romance with wealthy Harvard - educated Keith ( Blair Underwood ) before the violent chase - scene ending.

Adapted by Robert Anderson from a story by James A. Michener the Robert Wise-directed soaper Until They Sail is set in World-War-II New Zealand. Paul Newman plays been-there-done-that U.S. marine captain Jack Harding assigned to investigate servicemen's requests to marry local girls. An unemotional cipher Harding begins to warm up when he meets war widow Barbara Leslie Forbes (Jean Simmons) a woman with three sisters (played by Joan Fontaine Piper Laurie and Sandra Dee -- what a gene pool!). The Newman-Simmons relationship is played against the romance between uptight spinster Anne Leslie (Fontaine) and good-natured officer Richard Bates (Charles Drake) and the dysfunctional marriage between the emotionally desperate (and nymphomaniacal) Delia Leslie (Laurie) and slimy Shiner Friskett (Wally Cassell) who is off in battle. The fourth sister Evelyn (Dee) watches her sisters' amorous pursuits longingly her mind occupied by her own true love who is off to war. Until They Sail was a copacetic reunion between star Newman and director Robert Wise who'd previously collaborated in Somebody Up There Likes Me.

Adapted by Robert Anderson from a story by James A. Michener , the Robert Wise - directed soaper Until They Sail is set in World - War - II New Zealand. Paul Newman plays been - there - done - that U.S. marine captain Jack Harding , assigned to investigate servicemen's requests to marry local girls. An unemotional cipher , Harding begins to warm up when he meets war widow Barbara Leslie Forbes ( Jean Simmons ), a woman with three sisters ( played by Joan Fontaine , Piper Laurie , and Sandra Dee -- what a gene pool! ) . The Newman - Simmons relationship is played against the romance between uptight spinster Anne Leslie ( Fontaine ) and good - natured officer Richard Bates ( Charles Drake ), and the dysfunctional marriage between the emotionally desperate ( and nymphomaniacal ) Delia Leslie ( Laurie ) and slimy Shiner Friskett ( Wally Cassell ), who is off in battle. The fourth sister , Evelyn ( Dee ), watches her sisters' amorous pursuits longingly , her mind occupied by her own true love , who is off to war. Until They Sail was a copacetic reunion between star Newman and director Robert Wise , who'd previously collaborated in Somebody Up There Likes Me .

In this tech-thriller from director Phil Alden Robinson a group of five renegade computer hackers led by Martin Bishop (Robert Redford) are hired by the government to steal a black box containing a code-breaking machine from the mathematician who invented the device. The government is able to persuade Martin to take the job by convincing him that they will drop a decades-old federal warrant for his involvement in computer fraud. Martin agrees and he takes his team on the mission eventually taking the box. Shortly after the hackers have stolen the device the mathematician turns up dead. Before long the quintet realize that they've gotten themselves into more than they'd originally bargained for as Bishop's old rival Cosmo (Ben Kingsley) enters into the fold. The eclectic ensemble also includes River Phoenix Sidney Poitier Dan Aykroyd David Strathairn Mary McDonnell and James Earl Jones.

In this tech - thriller from director Phil Alden Robinson , a group of five renegade computer hackers , led by Martin Bishop ( Robert Redford ), are hired by the government to steal a black box , containing a code - breaking machine , from the mathematician who invented the device. The government is able to persuade Martin to take the job by convincing him that they will drop a decades - old federal warrant for his involvement in computer fraud. Martin agrees and he takes his team on the mission , eventually taking the box. Shortly after the hackers have stolen the device , the mathematician turns up dead. Before long , the quintet realize that they've gotten themselves into more than they'd originally bargained for , as Bishop's old rival Cosmo ( Ben Kingsley ) enters into the fold. The eclectic ensemble also includes River Phoenix , Sidney Poitier , Dan Aykroyd , David Strathairn , Mary McDonnell , and James Earl Jones .

This debut feature film from music video director Dominic Sena is a romp through the world of serial killing which in its bleakness and moral bankruptcy looks backwards to Terrence Malick's Badlands and forward to Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers. Michelle Forbes plays hip Mapplethorpe-esque photographer Carrie Laughlin who wants to move to California for a fresh start. Her boyfriend Brian Kessler (David Duchovny) is a writer who has an idea for a new book a travel tome on the sites of serial murders. The two plan to go on a cross-country tour of the murder sites with Brian writing the commentary and Carrie taking the pictures. But they need a couple to share the driving expenses; enter Grayce (Brad Pitt) and his girlfriend Adele (Juliette Lewis in a warm-up for her role in Natural Born Killers). Grayce is an ex-con looking to jump parole while Adele is a childlike naïf. Soon the four are off to California but the yuppie couple doesn't realize how close they are to their serial killer topic. It seems Grayce has murdered his landlord before their trip and bodies begin piling up disturbingly behind them as they make their way across the country.

This debut feature film from music video director Dominic Sena is a romp through the world of serial killing , which in its bleakness and moral bankruptcy looks backwards to Terrence Malick 's Badlands and forward to Oliver Stone 's Natural Born Killers . Michelle Forbes plays hip , Mapplethorpe - esque photographer Carrie Laughlin , who wants to move to California for a fresh start. Her boyfriend , Brian Kessler ( David Duchovny ), is a writer who has an idea for a new book , a travel tome on the sites of serial murders. The two plan to go on a cross - country tour of the murder sites , with Brian writing the commentary and Carrie taking the pictures. But they need a couple to share the driving expenses ; enter Grayce ( Brad Pitt ) and his girlfriend , Adele ( Juliette Lewis , in a warm - up for her role in Natural Born Killers ) . Grayce is an ex - con looking to jump parole , while Adele is a childlike naïf. Soon the four are off to California , but the yuppie couple doesn't realize how close they are to their serial killer topic. It seems Grayce has murdered his landlord before their trip and bodies begin piling up disturbingly behind them as they make their way across the country.

Ordinary Decent Criminal is a classic gangster movie in modern-day Ireland. It follows the extraordinary adventures of a Robin Hood character Michael Lynch a thief bigamist liar and criminal genius who robs from the rich to give to the poor. Michael is suave sardonic and sexy. When his leather-clad figure weaves its way through the Dublin traffic on a powerful motorbike people stare in awe. He loves his two wives (who happen to be sisters) his wild kids his gang and most of all his way of life. He has two fundamental beliefs: be loyal to your own and the hell with the establishment. As his ego gets bigger and bigger he enjoys his notoriety more than the cash it brings. Determined to break him the police increases its harassment of the whole gang as Michael makes a mistake that could threaten his good name with the public and his reliability as a bread-winner. But he recovers his equilibrium in time to dream up a final grand scheme to survive the trap set for him. The story is reminiscent of John Boorman's The General about a similar real-life character Martin Cahill also a Robin Hood married to two sisters. The impressive cast includes Kevin Spacey Linda Fiorentino and Peter Mullan the tragic hero of My Name is Joe.

Ordinary Decent Criminal is a classic gangster movie in modern - day Ireland. It follows the extraordinary adventures of a Robin Hood character , Michael Lynch , a thief , bigamist , liar , and criminal genius who robs from the rich to give to the poor. Michael is suave , sardonic , and sexy. When his leather - clad figure weaves its way through the Dublin traffic on a powerful motorbike , people stare in awe. He loves his two wives ( who happen to be sisters ), his wild kids , his gang , and , most of all , his way of life. He has two fundamental beliefs : be loyal to your own and the hell with the establishment. As his ego gets bigger and bigger , he enjoys his notoriety more than the cash it brings. Determined to break him , the police increases its harassment of the whole gang , as Michael makes a mistake that could threaten his good name with the public and his reliability as a bread - winner. But he recovers his equilibrium in time to dream up a final grand scheme to survive the trap set for him. The story is reminiscent of John Boorman 's The General about a similar real - life character , Martin Cahill , also a Robin Hood married to two sisters. The impressive cast includes Kevin Spacey , Linda Fiorentino , and Peter Mullan , the tragic hero of My Name is Joe .

The Double Con is an alternate title for the blaxploitationer Trick Baby. Jan Leighton and Byron Sander star as a pair of African American con artists. One of the slicksters can pass for white enabling the two to pull off any number of clever race-related scams.

The Double Con is an alternate title for the blaxploitationer Trick Baby . Jan Leighton and Byron Sander star as a pair of African American con artists. One of the slicksters can pass for white , enabling the two to pull off any number of clever race - related scams.

Wealthy metallurgist Harry Mitchell (Roy Scheider) lives to regret his extramarital affair with pretty young Cini (Kelly Preston). A trio of vicious blackmailers (John Glover Robert Trebor Clarence Williams III) show Mitchell a videotape of his most recent roll in the sack with Cini. They demand a huge amount of hush money but Mitchell calls their bluff going so far as to tell his politicially ambitious wife Barbara (Ann-Margret) about the affair. But the extortionists haven't even gotten started yet. Tying Mitchell to a chair they force him to watch a tape of Cini being horribly murdered-with the evidence arranged so that Mitchell will be accused of the crime. But Mitchell remains firm in his refusal to pay up whereupon he mounts a "fight fire with fire" plan all his own. 52 Pick Up was based on a novel by Elmore Leonard which was previously filmed in 1984 as The Ambassador.

Wealthy metallurgist Harry Mitchell ( Roy Scheider ) lives to regret his extramarital affair with pretty young Cini ( Kelly Preston ) . A trio of vicious blackmailers ( John Glover , Robert Trebor , Clarence Williams III ) show Mitchell a videotape of his most recent roll in the sack with Cini. They demand a huge amount of hush money , but Mitchell calls their bluff , going so far as to tell his politicially ambitious wife Barbara ( Ann - Margret ) about the affair. But the extortionists haven't even gotten started yet. Tying Mitchell to a chair , they force him to watch a tape of Cini being horribly murdered - with the evidence arranged so that Mitchell will be accused of the crime. But Mitchell remains firm in his refusal to pay up , whereupon he mounts a "fight fire with fire" plan all his own. 52 Pick Up was based on a novel by Elmore Leonard , which was previously filmed in 1984 as The Ambassador .

This spectacular epic re-creates the ill-fated maiden voyage of the White Star Line's $7.5 million R.M.S Titanic and the tragic sea disaster of April 15 1912. Running over three hours and made with the combined contributions of two major studios (20th Century-Fox Paramount) at a cost of more than $200 million Titanic ranked as the most expensive film in Hollywood history at the time of its release and became the most successful. Writer-director James Cameron employed state-of-the-art digital special effects for this production realized on a monumental scale and spanning eight decades. Inspired by the 1985 discovery of the Titanic in the North Atlantic the contemporary storyline involves American treasure-seeker Brock Lovett (Bill Paxton) retrieving artifacts from the submerged ship. Lovett looks for diamonds but finds a drawing of a young woman nude except for a necklace. When 102-year-old Rose (Gloria Stuart) reveals she's the person in the portrait she is summoned to the wreckage site to tell her story of the 56-carat diamond necklace and her experiences of 84 years earlier. The scene then shifts to 1912 Southampton where passengers boarding the Titanic include penniless Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and society girl Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet) returning to Philadelphia with her wealthy fiance Cal Hockley (Billy Zane). After the April 10th launch Rose develops a passionate interest in Jack and Cal's reaction is vengeful. At midpoint in the film the Titanic slides against the iceberg and water rushes into the front compartments. Even engulfed Cal continues to pursue Jack and Rose as the massive liner begins its descent. Cameron launched the project after seeing Robert Ballard's 1987 National Geographic documentary on the wreckage. Blueprints of the real Titanic were followed during construction at Fox's custom-built Rosarito Mexico studio where a hydraulics system moved an immense model in a 17-million-gallon water tank. During three weeks aboard the Russian ship Academik Keldysh underwater sequences were filmed with a 35mm camera in a titanium case mounted on the Russian submersible Mir 1. When the submersible neared the wreck a video camera inside a remote-operated vehicle was sent into the Titanic's 400-foot bow bringing back footage of staterooms furniture and chandeliers. On November 1 1997 the film had its world premiere at the 10th Tokyo International Film Festival.

This spectacular epic re - creates the ill - fated maiden voyage of the White Star Line's $7.5 million R.M.S Titanic and the tragic sea disaster of April 15 , 1912. Running over three hours and made with the combined contributions of two major studios ( 20th Century - Fox , Paramount ) at a cost of more than $200 million , Titanic ranked as the most expensive film in Hollywood history at the time of its release , and became the most successful. Writer - director James Cameron employed state - of - the - art digital special effects for this production , realized on a monumental scale and spanning eight decades. Inspired by the 1985 discovery of the Titanic in the North Atlantic , the contemporary storyline involves American treasure - seeker Brock Lovett ( Bill Paxton ) retrieving artifacts from the submerged ship. Lovett looks for diamonds but finds a drawing of a young woman , nude except for a necklace. When 102 - year - old Rose ( Gloria Stuart ) reveals she's the person in the portrait , she is summoned to the wreckage site to tell her story of the 56 - carat diamond necklace and her experiences of 84 years earlier. The scene then shifts to 1912 Southampton where passengers boarding the Titanic include penniless Jack Dawson ( Leonardo DiCaprio ) and society girl Rose DeWitt Bukater ( Kate Winslet ), returning to Philadelphia with her wealthy fiance Cal Hockley ( Billy Zane ) . After the April 10th launch , Rose develops a passionate interest in Jack , and Cal's reaction is vengeful. At midpoint in the film , the Titanic slides against the iceberg and water rushes into the front compartments. Even engulfed , Cal continues to pursue Jack and Rose as the massive liner begins its descent. Cameron launched the project after seeing Robert Ballard 's 1987 National Geographic documentary on the wreckage. Blueprints of the real Titanic were followed during construction at Fox's custom - built Rosarito , Mexico studio , where a hydraulics system moved an immense model in a 17 - million - gallon water tank. During three weeks aboard the Russian ship Academik Keldysh , underwater sequences were filmed with a 35mm camera in a titanium case mounted on the Russian submersible Mir 1. When the submersible neared the wreck , a video camera inside a remote - operated vehicle was sent into the Titanic's 400 - foot bow , bringing back footage of staterooms , furniture and chandeliers. On November 1 , 1997 , the film had its world premiere at the 10th Tokyo International Film Festival.

ased on the Holy Scriptures with additional dialogue by several other hands The Ten Commandments was the last film directed by Cecil B. DeMille. The story relates the life of Moses from the time he was discovered in the bullrushes as an infant by the pharoah's daughter to his long hard struggle to free the Hebrews from their slavery at the hands of the Egyptians. Moses (Charlton Heston) starts out "in solid" as Pharoah's adopted son (and a whiz at designing pyramids dispensing such construction-site advice as "Blood makes poor mortar") but when he discovers his true Hebrew heritage he attempts to make life easier for his people. Banished by his jealous half-brother Rameses (Yul Brynner) Moses returns fully bearded to Pharoah's court warning that he's had a message from God and that the Egyptians had better free the Hebrews post-haste if they know what's good for them. Only after the Deadly Plagues have decimated Egypt does Rameses give in. As the Hebrews reach the Red Sea they discover that Rameses has gone back on his word and plans to have them all killed. But Moses rescues his people with a little Divine legerdemain by parting the Seas. Later Moses is again confronted by God on Mt. Sinai who delivers unto him the Ten Commandments. Meanwhile the Hebrews led by the duplicitous Dathan (Edward G. Robinson) are forgetting their religion and behaving like libertines. "Where's your Moses now?" brays Dathan in the manner of a Lower East Side gangster. He soon finds out. DeMille's The Ten Commandments may not be the most subtle and sophisticated entertainment ever concocted but it tells its story with a clarity and vitality that few Biblical scholars have ever been able to duplicate. It is very likely the most eventful 219 minutes ever recorded to film--and who's to say that Nefertiri (Anne Baxter) didn't make speeches like "Oh Moses Moses you splendid stubborn adorable fool"?

Based on the Holy Scriptures , with additional dialogue by several other hands , The Ten Commandments was the last film directed by Cecil B. DeMille . The story relates the life of Moses , from the time he was discovered in the bullrushes as an infant by the pharoah's daughter , to his long , hard struggle to free the Hebrews from their slavery at the hands of the Egyptians. Moses ( Charlton Heston ) starts out "in solid" as Pharoah's adopted son ( and a whiz at designing pyramids , dispensing such construction - site advice as "Blood makes poor mortar" ), but when he discovers his true Hebrew heritage , he attempts to make life easier for his people. Banished by his jealous half - brother Rameses ( Yul Brynner ), Moses returns fully bearded to Pharoah's court , warning that he's had a message from God and that the Egyptians had better free the Hebrews post - haste if they know what's good for them. Only after the Deadly Plagues have decimated Egypt does Rameses give in. As the Hebrews reach the Red Sea , they discover that Rameses has gone back on his word and plans to have them all killed. But Moses rescues his people with a little Divine legerdemain by parting the Seas. Later , Moses is again confronted by God on Mt. Sinai , who delivers unto him the Ten Commandments. Meanwhile , the Hebrews , led by the duplicitous Dathan ( Edward G. Robinson ), are forgetting their religion and behaving like libertines. "Where's your Moses now?" brays Dathan in the manner of a Lower East Side gangster. He soon finds out. DeMille's The Ten Commandments may not be the most subtle and sophisticated entertainment ever concocted , but it tells its story with a clarity and vitality that few Biblical scholars have ever been able to duplicate. It is very likely the most eventful 219 minutes ever recorded to film -- and who's to say that Nefertiri ( Anne Baxter ) didn't make speeches like , "Oh , Moses , Moses , you splendid , stubborn , adorable fool"?

Ran is Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa's reinterpretation of William Shakespeare's King Lear. The Lear counterpart is an elderly 16th-century warlord (Tatsuya Nakadai) who announces that he's about to divide his kingdom equally among his three sons. In his dotage he falls prey to the false flattery of his treacherous sons (Akira Terao and Jinpachi Nezu) while banishing his youngest son (Daisuke Ryu) the only member of the family who loves him enough to tell him the unvarnished truth. Thanks to his foolish pride his domain collapses under its own weight as the sons battle each other over total control. Kurosawa's first film in five years Ran had been in the planning stages for twice that long; Kurosawa had storyboarded the project with a series of vivid color paintings that have since been published in book form in England. The battle scenes are staged with such brutal vigor that it's hard to imagine that the director was 75 years old at the time. This 160-minute historical epic won several international awards but it was not a hit in Japan and it would be five more years before Kurosawa would be able to finance another picture.

Ran is Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa 's reinterpretation of William Shakespeare's King Lear . The Lear counterpart is an elderly 16th - century warlord ( Tatsuya Nakadai ), who announces that he's about to divide his kingdom equally among his three sons. In his dotage , he falls prey to the false flattery of his treacherous sons ( Akira Terao and Jinpachi Nezu ), while banishing his youngest son ( Daisuke Ryu ), the only member of the family who loves him enough to tell him the unvarnished truth. Thanks to his foolish pride , his domain collapses under its own weight as the sons battle each other over total control. Kurosawa 's first film in five years , Ran had been in the planning stages for twice that long ; Kurosawa had storyboarded the project with a series of vivid color paintings that have since been published in book form in England. The battle scenes are staged with such brutal vigor that it's hard to imagine that the director was 75 years old at the time. This 160 - minute historical epic won several international awards , but it was not a hit in Japan , and it would be five more years before Kurosawa would be able to finance another picture.

This sweeping highly literate historical epic covers the Allies' mideastern campaign during World War I as seen through the eyes of the enigmatic T. E. Lawrence (Peter O'Toole in the role that made him a star). After a prologue showing us Lawrence's ultimate fate we flash back to Cairo in 1917. A bored general staffer Lawrence talks his way into a transfer to Arabia. Once in the desert he befriends Sherif Ali Ben El Kharish (Omar Sharif making one of the most spectacular entrances in movie history) and draws up plans to aid the Arabs in their rebellion against the Turks. No one is ever able to discern Lawrence's motives in this matter: Prince Feisal (Alec Guinness) dismisses him as yet another "desert-loving Englishman" and his British superiors assume that he's either arrogant or mad. Using a combination of diplomacy and bribery Lawrence unites the rival Arab factions of Feisal and Auda Abu Tayi (Anthony Quinn). After successfully completing his mission Lawrence becomes an unwitting pawn of the Allies as represented by Gen. Allenby (Jack Hawkins) and Dryden (Claude Rains) who decide to keep using Lawrence to secure Arab cooperation against the Imperial Powers. While on a spying mission to Deraa Lawrence is captured and tortured by a sadistic Turkish Bey (Jose Ferrer). In the heat of the next battle a wild-eyed Lawrence screams "No prisoners!" and fights more ruthlessly than ever. Screenwriters Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson used T. E. Lawrence's own self-published memoir The Seven Pillars of Wisdom as their principal source although some of the characters are composites and many of the "historical" incidents are of unconfirmed origin. Two years in the making (you can see O'Toole's weight fluctuate from scene to scene) the movie lensed in Spain and Jordan ended up costing a then-staggering $13 million and won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. The 1962 Royal Premiere in London was virtually the last time that David Lean's director's cut was seen: 20 minutes were edited from the film's general release and 15 more from the 1971 reissue. This abbreviated version was all that was available for public exhibition until a massive 1989 restoration at 216 minutes that returned several of Lean's favorite scenes while removing others with which he had never been satisfied.

This sweeping , highly literate historical epic covers the Allies' mideastern campaign during World War I as seen through the eyes of the enigmatic T. E. Lawrence ( Peter O'Toole , in the role that made him a star ) . After a prologue showing us Lawrence 's ultimate fate , we flash back to Cairo in 1917. A bored general staffer , Lawrence talks his way into a transfer to Arabia. Once in the desert , he befriends Sherif Ali Ben El Kharish ( Omar Sharif , making one of the most spectacular entrances in movie history ) and draws up plans to aid the Arabs in their rebellion against the Turks. No one is ever able to discern Lawrence's motives in this matter : Prince Feisal ( Alec Guinness ) dismisses him as yet another "desert - loving Englishman , " and his British superiors assume that he's either arrogant or mad. Using a combination of diplomacy and bribery , Lawrence unites the rival Arab factions of Feisal and Auda Abu Tayi ( Anthony Quinn ) . After successfully completing his mission , Lawrence becomes an unwitting pawn of the Allies , as represented by Gen. Allenby ( Jack Hawkins ) and Dryden ( Claude Rains ), who decide to keep using Lawrence to secure Arab cooperation against the Imperial Powers. While on a spying mission to Deraa , Lawrence is captured and tortured by a sadistic Turkish Bey ( Jose Ferrer ) . In the heat of the next battle , a wild - eyed Lawrence screams "No prisoners!" and fights more ruthlessly than ever. Screenwriters Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson used T. E. Lawrence 's own self - published memoir The Seven Pillars of Wisdom as their principal source , although some of the characters are composites , and many of the "historical" incidents are of unconfirmed origin. Two years in the making ( you can see O'Toole 's weight fluctuate from scene to scene ), the movie , lensed in Spain and Jordan , ended up costing a then - staggering $13 million and won seven Academy Awards , including Best Picture and Best Director. The 1962 Royal Premiere in London was virtually the last time that David Lean 's director's cut was seen : 20 minutes were edited from the film's general release , and 15 more from the 1971 reissue. This abbreviated version was all that was available for public exhibition until a massive 1989 restoration , at 216 minutes that returned several of Lean 's favorite scenes while removing others with which he had never been satisfied.

ased on the Nobel Prize-winning novel by Boris Pasternak Doctor Zhivago covers the years prior to during and after the Russian Revolution as seen through the eyes of poet/physician Yuri Zhivago (Omar Sharif). In the tradition of Russian novels a multitude of characters and subplots intertwine within the film's 197 minutes (plus intermission). Zhivago is married to Tonya (Geraldine Chaplin) but carries on an affair with Lara (Julie Christie) who has been raped by ruthless politician Komarovsky (Rod Steiger). Meanwhile Zhivago's half-brother Yevgraf (Alec Guinness) and the mysterious revenge-seeking Strelnikoff (Tom Courteney) represent the "good" and "bad" elements of the Bolshevik revolution. Composer Maurice Jarre received one of Doctor Zhivago's five Oscars with the others going to screenwriter Robert Bolt cinematographer Freddie Young art directors John Box and Terry Marsh set decorator Dario Simoni and costumer Phyllis Dalton. The best picture Oscar however went to The Sound of Music.

Based on the Nobel Prize - winning novel by Boris Pasternak , Doctor Zhivago covers the years prior to , during , and after the Russian Revolution , as seen through the eyes of poet / physician Yuri Zhivago ( Omar Sharif ) . In the tradition of Russian novels , a multitude of characters and subplots intertwine within the film's 197 minutes ( plus intermission ) . Zhivago is married to Tonya ( Geraldine Chaplin ), but carries on an affair with Lara ( Julie Christie ), who has been raped by ruthless politician Komarovsky ( Rod Steiger ) . Meanwhile , Zhivago's half - brother Yevgraf ( Alec Guinness ) and the mysterious , revenge - seeking Strelnikoff ( Tom Courteney ) represent the "good" and "bad" elements of the Bolshevik revolution. Composer Maurice Jarre received one of Doctor Zhivago's five Oscars , with the others going to screenwriter Robert Bolt , cinematographer Freddie Young , art directors John Box and Terry Marsh , set decorator Dario Simoni , and costumer Phyllis Dalton . The best picture Oscar , however , went to The Sound of Music .

This 1959 version of Lew Wallace's best-selling novel which had already seen screen versions in 1907 and 1926 went on to win 11 Academy Awards. Adapted by Karl Tunberg and a raft of uncredited writers including Gore Vidal and Maxwell Anderson the film once more recounts the tale of Jewish prince Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) who lives in Judea with his family during the time that Jesus Christ was becoming known for his "radical" teachings. Ben-Hur's childhood friend Messala (Stephen Boyd) is now an ambitious Roman tribune; when Ben-Hur refuses to help Messala round up local dissidents on behalf of the emperor Messala pounces on the first opportunity to exact revenge on his onetime friend. Tried on a trumped-up charge of attempting to kill the provincial governor (whose head was accidentally hit by a falling tile) Ben-Hur is condemned to the Roman galleys while his mother (Martha Scott) and sister (Cathy O'Donnell) are imprisoned. But during a sea battle Ben-Hur saves the life of commander Quintus Arrius (Jack Hawkins) who in gratitude adopts Ben-Hur as his son and gives him full control over his stable of racing horses. Ben-Hur never gives up trying to find his family or exact revenge on Messala. At crucial junctures in his life he also crosses the path of Jesus and each time he benefits from it. The highlight of the film's 212 minutes is its now-legendary chariot race staged largely by stunt expert Yakima Canutt. Ben-Hur's Oscar haul included Best Picture Best Director for the legendary William Wyler Best Actor for Heston and Best Supporting Actor for Welsh actor Hugh Griffith as an Arab sheik.

This 1959 version of Lew Wallace 's best - selling novel , which had already seen screen versions in 1907 and 1926 , went on to win 11 Academy Awards. Adapted by Karl Tunberg and a raft of uncredited writers including Gore Vidal and Maxwell Anderson , the film once more recounts the tale of Jewish prince Judah Ben - Hur ( Charlton Heston ), who lives in Judea with his family during the time that Jesus Christ was becoming known for his "radical" teachings. Ben - Hur's childhood friend Messala ( Stephen Boyd ) is now an ambitious Roman tribune ; when Ben - Hur refuses to help Messala round up local dissidents on behalf of the emperor , Messala pounces on the first opportunity to exact revenge on his onetime friend. Tried on a trumped - up charge of attempting to kill the provincial governor ( whose head was accidentally hit by a falling tile ), Ben - Hur is condemned to the Roman galleys , while his mother ( Martha Scott ) and sister ( Cathy O'Donnell ) are imprisoned. But during a sea battle , Ben - Hur saves the life of commander Quintus Arrius ( Jack Hawkins ), who , in gratitude , adopts Ben - Hur as his son and gives him full control over his stable of racing horses. Ben - Hur never gives up trying to find his family or exact revenge on Messala. At crucial junctures in his life , he also crosses the path of Jesus , and each time he benefits from it. The highlight of the film's 212 minutes is its now - legendary chariot race , staged largely by stunt expert Yakima Canutt . Ben - Hur 's Oscar haul included Best Picture , Best Director for the legendary William Wyler , Best Actor for Heston , and Best Supporting Actor for Welsh actor Hugh Griffith as an Arab sheik.

In 1943 North Africa George Patton (George C. Scott) assumes command of (and instills some much-needed discipline in) the American forces. Engaged in battle against Germany's Field Marshal Rommel (Karl Michael Vogler) Patton drives back "The Desert Fox" by using the German's own tactics. Promoted to Lieutenant General Patton is sent to Sicily where he engages in a personal war of egos with British Field Marshal Montgomery (Michael Bates). Performing brilliantly in Italy Patton seriously jeopardizes his future with a single slap. While touring an Army hospital the General comes across a GI (Tim Considine) suffering from nervous fatigue. Incensed by what he considers a slacker Patton smacks the poor soldier and orders him to get well in a hurry. This incident results in his losing his command-and by extension missing out on D-Day. In his final campaign Patton leads the US 3rd Army through Europe. Unabashedly flamboyant Patton remains a valuable resource but ultimately proves too much of a "loose cannon" in comparison to the more level-headed tactics of his old friend Omar Bradley (Karl Malden). Patton won 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Scott an award that he refused.

In 1943 North Africa , George Patton ( George C. Scott ) assumes command of ( and instills some much - needed discipline in ) the American forces. Engaged in battle against Germany's Field Marshal Rommel ( Karl Michael Vogler ), Patton drives back "The Desert Fox" by using the German's own tactics. Promoted to Lieutenant General , Patton is sent to Sicily , where he engages in a personal war of egos with British Field Marshal Montgomery ( Michael Bates ) . Performing brilliantly in Italy , Patton seriously jeopardizes his future with a single slap. While touring an Army hospital , the General comes across a GI ( Tim Considine ) suffering from nervous fatigue. Incensed by what he considers a slacker , Patton smacks the poor soldier and orders him to get well in a hurry. This incident results in his losing his command - and , by extension , missing out on D - Day. In his final campaign , Patton leads the US 3rd Army through Europe. Unabashedly flamboyant , Patton remains a valuable resource , but ultimately proves too much of a "loose cannon" in comparison to the more level - headed tactics of his old friend Omar Bradley ( Karl Malden ) . Patton won 7 Academy Awards , including Best Picture and Best Actor for Scott , an award that he refused.

Just as many American studio-era directors found acclaim abroad that was denied them in their home country by 1980 Akira Kurosawa's reputation outside Japan exceeded his esteem at home. As uncompromising as ever he found considerable difficulty securing backing for his ambitious projects. Unsure he would be able to film it the director an aspiring artist before he entered filmmaking converted Kagemusha into a series of paintings and it was partly on the basis of these that he won the financial support of longtime admirers Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas. Set in the 16th century when powerful warlords competed for control of Japan it offers an examination of the nature of political power and the slipperiness of identity. For some time Shingen Takeda Tatsuya Nakadai has been able to stay removed from the heat of battle by using his brother Nobukado Tsutomu Yamazaki as a double. As the film opens Nobukado offers another option having discovered a condemned thief (also played by Tatsuya Nakadai) bearing an uncanny resemblance to the warlord. After he insists on witnessing the fall of an enemy in person Shingen falls victim to a sniper's bullet forcing his advisers to present the thief as the fallen warrior. At first awkward in his new position and plagued by dreams in which the spirit of his double confronts him he slowly grows into the role even as his enemies begin to advance on his kingdom. The winner of the Palm D'Or at Cannes Kagemusha: The Shadow Warrior has also been released as The Double.

Just as many American studio - era directors found acclaim abroad that was denied them in their home country , by 1980 Akira Kurosawa 's reputation outside Japan exceeded his esteem at home. As uncompromising as ever , he found considerable difficulty securing backing for his ambitious projects. Unsure he would be able to film it , the director , an aspiring artist before he entered filmmaking , converted Kagemusha into a series of paintings , and it was partly on the basis of these that he won the financial support of longtime admirers Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas . Set in the 16th century , when powerful warlords competed for control of Japan , it offers an examination of the nature of political power and the slipperiness of identity. For some time , Shingen Takeda Tatsuya Nakadai has been able to stay removed from the heat of battle by using his brother Nobukado Tsutomu Yamazaki as a double. As the film opens , Nobukado offers another option , having discovered a condemned thief ( also played by Tatsuya Nakadai ) bearing an uncanny resemblance to the warlord. After he insists on witnessing the fall of an enemy in person , Shingen falls victim to a sniper's bullet , forcing his advisers to present the thief as the fallen warrior. At first awkward in his new position and plagued by dreams in which the spirit of his double confronts him , he slowly grows into the role even as his enemies begin to advance on his kingdom. The winner of the Palm D'Or at Cannes , Kagemusha : The Shadow Warrior has also been released as The Double .

This Martin Scorsese film drama detailing the Dalai Lama's life story was in development for seven years with the Dalai Lama having input into the 14 screenplay drafts by Melissa Mathison (The Black Stallion E.T.). With four actors portraying the Dalai Lama at different ages Scorsese's chronicle begins in 1933 with the death of the 13th Dalai Lama. Born in a remote area the new Dalai Lama (seen at ages two and five in early sequences) is observed by monks who determine that he is the 14th reincarnation of the Buddha of Compassion. In 1944 the Dalai Lama uses newsreels and Western magazines to study WWII events and as the war ends he is forced to deal with Chinese Communist aggression. Protests from the Dalai Lama in 1949 are ignored as Mao (Robert Lin) maintains a military stranglehold on Tibet eventually forcing the Dalai Lama to flee to Dharmsala India. With a $28 million budget Scorsese re-created Tibet's tragedy by filming in south-central Morocco with a cast of nonprofessional Tibetan actors. Second unit work took place at locations in Idaho and British Columbia. Avant-garde composer Philip Glass contributed a score with hypnotic ritualistic overtones.

This Martin Scorsese film drama detailing the Dalai Lama 's life story was in development for seven years , with the Dalai Lama having input into the 14 screenplay drafts by Melissa Mathison ( The Black Stallion , E.T. ) . With four actors portraying the Dalai Lama at different ages , Scorsese 's chronicle begins in 1933 with the death of the 13th Dalai Lama . Born in a remote area , the new Dalai Lama ( seen at ages two and five in early sequences ) is observed by monks who determine that he is the 14th reincarnation of the Buddha of Compassion. In 1944 the Dalai Lama uses newsreels and Western magazines to study WWII events , and as the war ends , he is forced to deal with Chinese Communist aggression. Protests from the Dalai Lama in 1949 are ignored as Mao ( Robert Lin ) maintains a military stranglehold on Tibet , eventually forcing the Dalai Lama to flee to Dharmsala , India. With a $28 million budget , Scorsese re - created Tibet's tragedy by filming in south - central Morocco with a cast of nonprofessional Tibetan actors. Second unit work took place at locations in Idaho and British Columbia. Avant - garde composer Philip Glass contributed a score with hypnotic , ritualistic overtones.

Director/writer Jan Troell's expansive saga deals with the Larsen family who during the 19th century famine in Sweden emigrate to the more fertile fields of Minnesota. With painstaking detail the director follows the Larsens as they make the perilous (and to some of their fellow immigrants fatal) journey by foot steamer train and paddle boat. The film which originally ran 190 minutes but was pared down to 150 by its director for American consumption earned Academy Award nominations for Best Picture Best Foreign Language Picture Best Screenplay Best Direction and Best Actress (Liv Ullmann). The Emigrants was followed by a sequel Nybyggarna ("The New Land"); both films have been edited together for TV release under the title The Emigrant Saga. The subsequent American TV series The New Land (1974) starred Bonnie Bedelia in the role created in The Emigrants by Liv Ullmann and Scott Thomas in the patriarch role originated by Max von Sydow. In 1991 Sven Nykvist directed a "prequel" to The Emigrants titled The Ox.

Director / writer Jan Troell 's expansive saga deals with the Larsen family , who during the 19th century famine in Sweden emigrate to the more fertile fields of Minnesota. With painstaking detail , the director follows the Larsens as they make the perilous ( and , to some of their fellow immigrants , fatal ) journey by foot , steamer , train , and paddle boat. The film , which originally ran 190 minutes but was pared down to 150 by its director for American consumption , earned Academy Award nominations for Best Picture , Best Foreign Language Picture , Best Screenplay , Best Direction , and Best Actress ( Liv Ullmann ) . The Emigrants was followed by a sequel , Nybyggarna ( " The New Land " ); both films have been edited together for TV release under the title The Emigrant Saga . The subsequent American TV series The New Land ( 1974 ) starred Bonnie Bedelia in the role created in The Emigrants by Liv Ullmann , and Scott Thomas in the patriarch role originated by Max von Sydow . In 1991 , Sven Nykvist directed a "prequel" to The Emigrants titled The Ox .

The Longest Day is a mammoth all-star re-creation of the D-Day invasion personally orchestrated by Darryl F. Zanuck. Whenever possible the original locations were utilized and an all-star international cast impersonates the people involved from high-ranking officials to ordinary GIs. Each actor speaks in his or her native language with subtitles translating for the benefit of the audience (alternate "takes" were made of each scene with the foreign actors speaking English but these were seen only during the first network telecast of the film in 1972). The stars are listed alphabetically with the exception of John Wayne who as Lt. Colonel Vandervoort gets separate billing. Others in the huge cast include Eddie Albert Jean-Louis Barrault Richard Burton Red Buttons Sean Connery Henry Fonda Gert Frobe Curt Jurgens Peter Lawford Robert Mitchum Kenneth More Edmond O'Brien Robert Ryan Jean Servais Rod Steiger and Robert Wagner. Paul Anka who wrote the film's title song shows up as an Army private. Scenes include the Allies parachuting into Ste. Mere Englise where the paratroopers were mowed down by German bullets; a real-life sequence wherein the German and Allied troops unwittingly march side by side in the dark of night; and a spectacular three-minute overhead shot of the troops fighting and dying in the streets of Quistreham. The last major black-and-white road-show attraction The Longest Day made millions enough to recoup some of the cost of 20th Century Fox's concurrently produced Cleopatra.

The Longest Day is a mammoth , all - star re - creation of the D - Day invasion , personally orchestrated by Darryl F. Zanuck . Whenever possible , the original locations were utilized , and an all - star international cast impersonates the people involved , from high - ranking officials to ordinary GIs. Each actor speaks in his or her native language with subtitles translating for the benefit of the audience ( alternate "takes" were made of each scene with the foreign actors speaking English , but these were seen only during the first network telecast of the film in 1972 ) . The stars are listed alphabetically , with the exception of John Wayne , who as Lt. Colonel Vandervoort gets separate billing. Others in the huge cast include Eddie Albert , Jean - Louis Barrault , Richard Burton , Red Buttons , Sean Connery , Henry Fonda , Gert Frobe , Curt Jurgens , Peter Lawford , Robert Mitchum , Kenneth More , Edmond O'Brien , Robert Ryan , Jean Servais , Rod Steiger and Robert Wagner . Paul Anka , who wrote the film's title song , shows up as an Army private. Scenes include the Allies parachuting into Ste. Mere Englise , where the paratroopers were mowed down by German bullets ; a real - life sequence wherein the German and Allied troops unwittingly march side by side in the dark of night ; and a spectacular three - minute overhead shot of the troops fighting and dying in the streets of Quistreham. The last major black - and - white road - show attraction , The Longest Day made millions , enough to recoup some of the cost of 20th Century Fox's concurrently produced Cleopatra .

The fortunes of a family of Hungarian Jews are followed over the course of nearly 150 years in this epic historical drama with leading man Ralph Fiennes playing three different roles. The story begins in the late 18th century as Aaron and Josefa Sonnenschein (the name means "Sunshine" in German) die in an explosion while making an herb tonic for sale in their village. Their son Emmanuel (David de Keyser) the only survivor of the tragedy travels to Budapest carrying the recipe for the medicine with him. He's able to parlay the formula into a successful business and Emmanuel and his wife Rose (Miriam Margolyes) raise two sons Ignatz (Ralph Fiennes) who becomes a successful lawyer and hot-tempered Gustave (James Frain). The Sonnenscheins also make room in their home for Valerie (Jennifer Ehle) but Emmanuel and Rose become furious when Valerie becomes romantically involved with Ignatz. Eventually Valerie and Ignatz raise two children Istvan (Mark Strong) and Adam (Ralph Fiennes) and the family changes its name to Sors in hopes of avoiding the anti-Semitism sweeping Europe. In time Adam goes so far as to convert to Catholicism and he marries another Catholic Hannah (Molly Parker). He soon begins an affair with his brother's wife Greta (Rachel Weisz) who is unable to persuade Adam to leave as the Nazis rise to power. Adam and Hannah have only one son Ivan who is fated to watch his father die in a concentration camp; as Ivan grows to adulthood (now played by Ralph Fiennes) he swears revenge on the forces of fascism and embraces Communism. Ivan throws in his lot with Communist leader Andor Knorr (William Hurt) but a liaison with the wife of a party official (Deborah Kara Unger) leads Ivan to tragic consequences and a jail term. In time Valarie and Gustave are reunited at the family's estate as the only two members of the Sonnenschein clan who survive to witness the Hungarian Revolution in 1956. Hungarian director Istvan Szabo co-wrote Sunshine's original screenplay in collaboration with American playwright Israel Horovitz.

The fortunes of a family of Hungarian Jews are followed over the course of nearly 150 years in this epic historical drama , with leading man Ralph Fiennes playing three different roles. The story begins in the late 18th century , as Aaron and Josefa Sonnenschein ( the name means "Sunshine" in German ) die in an explosion while making an herb tonic for sale in their village. Their son Emmanuel ( David de Keyser ), the only survivor of the tragedy , travels to Budapest , carrying the recipe for the medicine with him. He's able to parlay the formula into a successful business , and Emmanuel and his wife Rose ( Miriam Margolyes ) raise two sons , Ignatz ( Ralph Fiennes ), who becomes a successful lawyer , and hot - tempered Gustave ( James Frain ) . The Sonnenscheins also make room in their home for Valerie ( Jennifer Ehle ), but Emmanuel and Rose become furious when Valerie becomes romantically involved with Ignatz. Eventually , Valerie and Ignatz raise two children , Istvan ( Mark Strong ) and Adam ( Ralph Fiennes ), and the family changes its name to Sors in hopes of avoiding the anti - Semitism sweeping Europe. In time , Adam goes so far as to convert to Catholicism , and he marries another Catholic , Hannah ( Molly Parker ) . He soon begins an affair with his brother's wife , Greta ( Rachel Weisz ), who is unable to persuade Adam to leave as the Nazis rise to power. Adam and Hannah have only one son , Ivan , who is fated to watch his father die in a concentration camp ; as Ivan grows to adulthood ( now played by Ralph Fiennes ), he swears revenge on the forces of fascism and embraces Communism. Ivan throws in his lot with Communist leader Andor Knorr ( William Hurt ), but a liaison with the wife of a party official ( Deborah Kara Unger ) leads Ivan to tragic consequences and a jail term. In time , Valarie and Gustave are reunited at the family's estate as the only two members of the Sonnenschein clan who survive to witness the Hungarian Revolution in 1956. Hungarian director Istvan Szabo co - wrote Sunshine 's original screenplay in collaboration with American playwright Israel Horovitz .

Regis Wargnier's epic about French Indochina -- from the years of French colonial imperialism to the days when American presence made itself felt and the country became known as Vietnam -- is a story of romance and separation told through the backdrop of a country in turmoil. The film centers on the relationship of the beautiful and imperious Eliane (Catherine Deneuve) a French rubber-plantation owner and Camille (Linh Dan Pham) her adopted Indochinese daughter. The mother and daughter are very close until a diffident naval officer Jean-Baptiste (Vincent Perez) enters their lives. Eliane is in love with him but Jean-Baptiste and Camille become attracted to each other and fall in love. Thinking that she is doing Camille a favor Eliane arranges to have Jean-Baptiste transferred to the far-away Tonkin Islands. But Camille flees the plantation to go to the man she loves. As she travels the country she gains a greater knowledge and respect for the people of her homeland. When the government tears her from Jean-Baptiste and their infant child and arrests her for crimes against the state she becomes politicized and becomes a supporter of the communists in the country's civil war. As the country rocks in turmoil Eliane becomes a personification of France coolly walking amid her peasant workers neither bowed nor afraid grimly looking westward.

Regis Wargnier 's epic about French Indochina -- from the years of French colonial imperialism to the days when American presence made itself felt and the country became known as Vietnam -- is a story of romance and separation told through the backdrop of a country in turmoil. The film centers on the relationship of the beautiful and imperious Eliane ( Catherine Deneuve ), a French rubber - plantation owner , and Camille ( Linh Dan Pham ), her adopted Indochinese daughter. The mother and daughter are very close until a diffident naval officer , Jean - Baptiste ( Vincent Perez ) enters their lives. Eliane is in love with him , but Jean - Baptiste and Camille become attracted to each other and fall in love. Thinking that she is doing Camille a favor , Eliane arranges to have Jean - Baptiste transferred to the far - away Tonkin Islands. But Camille flees the plantation to go to the man she loves. As she travels the country , she gains a greater knowledge and respect for the people of her homeland. When the government tears her from Jean - Baptiste and their infant child and arrests her for crimes against the state , she becomes politicized and becomes a supporter of the communists in the country's civil war. As the country rocks in turmoil , Eliane becomes a personification of France , coolly walking amid her peasant workers , neither bowed nor afraid , grimly looking westward.

War and Peace is a commendable attempt to boil down Tolstoy's long difficult novel into 208 minutes' screen time. In recreating the the social and personal upheavals attending Napoleon's 1812 invasion of Russia $6 million was shelled out by coproducers Carlo Ponti Dino de Laurentiis and Paramount Pictures. Some of the panoramic battle sequences are so expertly handled by second-unit director Mario Soldati that they appear to be Technicolor-and-Vistavision newsreel footage of the actual events. Still the film falters dramatically principally because of a lumpy script and King Vidor's surprisingly lustreless direction. In addition the casting is wildly consistent: for example while Audrey Hepburn is flawless as Natasha Henry Fonda is far too "Yankeefied" as the introspective Pierre. Proving too long and unwieldy for most audiences War and Peace died at the box office; far more successful was the epic scrupulously faithful 1968 version filmed in the Soviet Union.

War and Peace is a commendable attempt to boil down Tolstoy's long , difficult novel into 208 minutes' screen time. In recreating the the social and personal upheavals attending Napoleon's 1812 invasion of Russia , $6 million was shelled out by coproducers Carlo Ponti , Dino de Laurentiis and Paramount Pictures. Some of the panoramic battle sequences are so expertly handled by second - unit director Mario Soldati that they appear to be Technicolor - and - Vistavision newsreel footage of the actual events. Still , the film falters dramatically , principally because of a lumpy script and King Vidor's surprisingly lustreless direction. In addition , the casting is wildly consistent : for example , while Audrey Hepburn is flawless as Natasha , Henry Fonda is far too "Yankeefied" as the introspective Pierre. Proving too long and unwieldy for most audiences , War and Peace died at the box office ; far more successful was the epic , scrupulously faithful 1968 version , filmed in the Soviet Union.

Filmed in Israel and Spain the four-hour made-for-TV The Story of David stars Timothy Bottoms as the Biblical king. The "David and Goliath" legend is presented as credibly as possible while David's later disastrous romance with Bathsheba (Jane Seymour) is handled with taste and decorum. Also in the cast are Anthony Quayle as King Saul and Terence Hardiman as Bathsheba's unfortunate warrior husband Uriah. Ernest Kinoy's teleplay does justice to the Biblical text without lapsing into wearisome "thees" "thous" and other such archaic dialogue. The Story of David premiered in two parts on April 9 and 11 1976.

Filmed in Israel and Spain , the four - hour made - for - TV The Story of David stars Timothy Bottoms as the Biblical king. The "David and Goliath" legend is presented as credibly as possible , while David's later disastrous romance with Bathsheba ( Jane Seymour ) is handled with taste and decorum. Also in the cast are Anthony Quayle as King Saul , and Terence Hardiman as Bathsheba's unfortunate warrior husband Uriah. Ernest Kinoy 's teleplay does justice to the Biblical text , without lapsing into wearisome "thees" , "thous" and other such archaic dialogue. The Story of David premiered in two parts on April 9 and 11 , 1976.

The biblical story of Noah and the Great Flood gets a decidedly unusual retelling in this film produced as a two-part TV movie and first aired on NBC in May 1999. Noah Jon Voight is an ordinary laborer who one day begins receiving messages from God. It seems the Lord has a special assignment for him: since God is planning on destroying the world with a massive flood he wants Noah to build a giant ark and fill it with one male and one female of each animal on earth. So why Noah of all people? As God tells him "You fit the bill. Good times bad times you believe in me." And why a 500-foot-long ark? "I think big! I made the world in seven days!" Joining Noah on the trip of a lifetime is his wife Naamah (Mary Steenburgen); those not invited along for the ride are F. Murray Abraham as Lot Carol Kane as his wife Sarah and James Coburn as a peddler. Some video versions run 140 minutes.

The biblical story of Noah and the Great Flood gets a decidedly unusual retelling in this film , produced as a two - part TV movie and first aired on NBC in May 1999. Noah Jon Voight is an ordinary laborer who one day begins receiving messages from God. It seems the Lord has a special assignment for him : since God is planning on destroying the world with a massive flood , he wants Noah to build a giant ark and fill it with one male and one female of each animal on earth. So why Noah of all people? As God tells him , "You fit the bill. Good times , bad times , you believe in me." And why a 500 - foot - long ark? "I think big! I made the world in seven days!" Joining Noah on the trip of a lifetime is his wife Naamah ( Mary Steenburgen ); those not invited along for the ride are F. Murray Abraham as Lot , Carol Kane as his wife Sarah , and James Coburn as a peddler. Some video versions run 140 minutes.

Not a strict adaptation of the oft-filmed Victor Hugo classic director Claude Lelouch's ambitious epic instead focuses on the story of two men a father and a son whose life stories bear striking similarities to Hugo's character Jean Valjean. The father is Henri Fortin (Jean-Paul Belmondo) a chauffeur (in 1900) wrongly accused of his employer's murder. Like Valjean he is subjected to a harsh and unfair prison sentence. While Henri vainly attempts to escape his unjust fate his family suffers with his wife forced to raise their young son alone. The film jumps ahead several decades to show the adult life of this son (also Belmondo) a former boxer turned furniture mover who agrees to help smuggle a Jewish lawyer (Michel Boujenah) out of France during the Nazi occupation. Along the way the lawyer reads to the younger Fortin from Les Misérables and Fortin begins to imagine himself in the role of Jean Valjean on the run from the obsessive Inspector Javert.

Not a strict adaptation of the oft - filmed Victor Hugo classic , director Claude Lelouch 's ambitious epic instead focuses on the story of two men , a father and a son , whose life stories bear striking similarities to Hugo's character Jean Valjean. The father is Henri Fortin ( Jean - Paul Belmondo ), a chauffeur ( in 1900 ) wrongly accused of his employer's murder. Like Valjean , he is subjected to a harsh and unfair prison sentence. While Henri vainly attempts to escape his unjust fate , his family suffers , with his wife forced to raise their young son alone. The film jumps ahead several decades to show the adult life of this son ( also Belmondo ), a former boxer turned furniture mover who agrees to help smuggle a Jewish lawyer ( Michel Boujenah ) out of France during the Nazi occupation. Along the way , the lawyer reads to the younger Fortin from Les Misérables , and Fortin begins to imagine himself in the role of Jean Valjean , on the run from the obsessive Inspector Javert.

In this epic Ron Howard film Joseph Donelly (Tom Cruise) is an impoverished 19th-century Irish tenant farmer who has recently lost both his father and his home to the agents of his unscrupulous landlord. On a mission to avenge his family's injustice at the hands of the ruthless land baron Joseph meets the landlord's daughter and the two run off to America together where the girl expects to claim a piece of land for herself in the Oklahoma Land Rush. After she is robbed on the boat that carries them to America they arrive with nary a penny and struggle just to keep their heads above water in the slums of Boston. After a series of serious set-backs they do eventually work their way out West where Joseph must fight to realize his dream and claim a piece of the American Dream for himself -- and where they finally acknowledge their love for each other. Shot in wide-screen Panavision the movie was filmed on-location in Ireland and Montana.

In this epic Ron Howard film , Joseph Donelly ( Tom Cruise ) is an impoverished 19th - century Irish tenant farmer who has recently lost both his father and his home to the agents of his unscrupulous landlord. On a mission to avenge his family's injustice at the hands of the ruthless land baron Joseph meets the landlord's daughter and the two run off to America together where the girl expects to claim a piece of land for herself in the Oklahoma Land Rush. After she is robbed on the boat that carries them to America , they arrive with nary a penny and struggle just to keep their heads above water in the slums of Boston. After a series of serious set - backs they do eventually work their way out West , where Joseph must fight to realize his dream and claim a piece of the American Dream for himself -- and where they finally acknowledge their love for each other. Shot in wide - screen Panavision , the movie was filmed on - location in Ireland and Montana.

This biography of Oliver Cromwell recalls the political and religious struggles of 17th century England. Cromwell (Richard Harris) is the Anglican religious fanatic who fights corruption and Catholicism with equal zeal while King Charles (Alec Guinness) is the vacillating monarch who believes his crown gives him a direct pipeline to the wisdom of God. Also starring Robert Morley and Timothy Dalton Cromwell won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design and was nominated for Best Original Score.

This biography of Oliver Cromwell recalls the political and religious struggles of 17th century England. Cromwell ( Richard Harris ) is the Anglican religious fanatic who fights corruption and Catholicism with equal zeal , while King Charles ( Alec Guinness ) is the vacillating monarch who believes his crown gives him a direct pipeline to the wisdom of God. Also starring Robert Morley and Timothy Dalton , Cromwell won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design and was nominated for Best Original Score.

The true story of Anna Leonowens' experiences as a governess to the children of an eccentric Asian king has been adapted into a book of memoirs a biography a stage play called Anna and the King of Siam -- which was adapted into a 1946 film a stage musical called The King and I -- made into both the live-action The King and I (1956)) and the animated The King and I (1999) feature films and a short-lived 1972 TV series. Now the story is brought to the screen yet again as Jodie Foster stars as Leonowens hired by the king of Thailand (Chow Yun-Fat) in the 19th century to help care for his children. The king wants the best for his children but Anna soon discovers that he is a strong-willed but quixotic leader and her stay in Thailand becomes a struggle for power with romantic overtones as they decide who will have authority over the royal youngsters. Anna and the King was directed by Andy Tennant best known for his 1998 variation on the Cinderella story Ever After.

The true story of Anna Leonowens ' experiences as a governess to the children of an eccentric Asian king has been adapted into a book of memoirs , a biography , a stage play called Anna and the King of Siam -- which was adapted into a 1946 film , a stage musical called The King and I -- made into both the live - action The King and I ( 1956 )) and the animated The King and I ( 1999 ) feature films , and a short - lived 1972 TV series. Now the story is brought to the screen yet again , as Jodie Foster stars as Leonowens , hired by the king of Thailand ( Chow Yun - Fat ) in the 19th century to help care for his children. The king wants the best for his children , but Anna soon discovers that he is a strong - willed but quixotic leader , and her stay in Thailand becomes a struggle for power with romantic overtones , as they decide who will have authority over the royal youngsters. Anna and the King was directed by Andy Tennant , best known for his 1998 variation on the Cinderella story , Ever After .

This handsomely-mounted historical epic concerns the birth of the Islamic faith and the story of the prophet Mohammed -- who in accordance with the tenants of Islam is never seen or heard (any physical depiction of the prophet is considered a heinous sin within the faith). In Mecca in the 7th century Mohammed is visited by a vision of the Angel Gabriel who urges him to lead the people of Mecca to cast aside the 300 idols of Kaaba and instead worship the one true God. Speaking out against the corrupt political and military leaders who rule Mecca Mohammed and his followers struggle to worship God as they see fit which eventually leads them into exile in Medina. However one day God gives Mohammed a message to return to Mecca and take up arms against their oppressors -- while recruiting as many followers as they can along the way. With the help of his uncle a brave warrior named Hamza (Anthony Quinn) Mohammed and his followers return to Mecca to liberate the city in the name of God. The Message (originally screened in the U.S. as Mohammed Messenger of God) proved to be highly controversial during its production and initial release. Unfounded rumors had it that Mohammed would not only be depicted in the film but that he was to be played by Charlton Heston or Peter O'Toole. This resulted in angry protests by Muslim extremists until director Moustapha Akkad hired a staff of respected Islamic clerics as technical advisors. The advisors butted heads with Akkad and they quit the production which led the Moroccan government to withdraw their permission to film in their country. In time Akkad ended up shooting on location in Libya under the sponsorship of Muammar Qaddafi which presented a whole new set of political and practical problems for the filmmakers. Finally when the film was scheduled to premier in the U.S. another Muslim extremist group staged a siege against the Washington D.C. chapter of the B'nai B'rith under the mistaken belief that Anthony Quinn played Mohammed in the film threatening to blow up the building and its inhabitants unless the film's opening was cancelled. The standoff was resolved without explosion or injuries though the film's American box office prospects never recovered from the unfortunate controversy. The Message was shot in two versions one in English and one in Arabic (entitled Al-Ris-Alah) with different actors taking over some of the roles due to language requirements.

This handsomely - mounted historical epic concerns the birth of the Islamic faith and the story of the prophet Mohammed -- who , in accordance with the tenants of Islam , is never seen or heard ( any physical depiction of the prophet is considered a heinous sin within the faith ) . In Mecca in the 7th century , Mohammed is visited by a vision of the Angel Gabriel , who urges him to lead the people of Mecca to cast aside the 300 idols of Kaaba and instead worship the one true God. Speaking out against the corrupt political and military leaders who rule Mecca , Mohammed and his followers struggle to worship God as they see fit , which eventually leads them into exile in Medina. However , one day God gives Mohammed a message to return to Mecca and take up arms against their oppressors -- while recruiting as many followers as they can along the way. With the help of his uncle , a brave warrior named Hamza ( Anthony Quinn ), Mohammed and his followers return to Mecca to liberate the city in the name of God. The Message ( originally screened in the U.S. as Mohammed , Messenger of God ) proved to be highly controversial during its production and initial release. Unfounded rumors had it that Mohammed would not only be depicted in the film , but that he was to be played by Charlton Heston or Peter O'Toole . This resulted in angry protests by Muslim extremists , until director Moustapha Akkad hired a staff of respected Islamic clerics as technical advisors. The advisors butted heads with Akkad , and they quit the production , which led the Moroccan government to withdraw their permission to film in their country. In time , Akkad ended up shooting on location in Libya under the sponsorship of Muammar Qaddafi , which presented a whole new set of political and practical problems for the filmmakers. Finally , when the film was scheduled to premier in the U.S. , another Muslim extremist group staged a siege against the Washington D.C. chapter of the B'nai B'rith under the mistaken belief that Anthony Quinn played Mohammed in the film , threatening to blow up the building and its inhabitants unless the film's opening was cancelled. The standoff was resolved without explosion or injuries , though the film's American box office prospects never recovered from the unfortunate controversy. The Message was shot in two versions , one in English and one in Arabic ( entitled Al - Ris - Alah ), with different actors taking over some of the roles due to language requirements.

Libyan leader Moummar Quaddafi financed this desert epic about a Libyan hero who helped his nation fend off an Italian invasion in 1929. Anthony Quinn stars as Omar Mukhtar who organizes Libyan forces to hold off the encroaching Italian troops under General Rodolfo Graziana (Oliver Reed) who are trying to gain a foothold on Libyan soil under direct orders from the Italian dictator Mussolini (Rod Steiger). With the persistence of Mukhtar the Libyans battling the tanks and guns of the Italian army with their Bedouin troops on horseback managed to hold off y the Italians for twenty years until Mukhtar was finally captured and executed.

Libyan leader Moummar Quaddafi financed this desert epic about a Libyan hero who helped his nation fend off an Italian invasion in 1929. Anthony Quinn stars as Omar Mukhtar , who organizes Libyan forces to hold off the encroaching Italian troops under General Rodolfo Graziana ( Oliver Reed ), who are trying to gain a foothold on Libyan soil under direct orders from the Italian dictator Mussolini ( Rod Steiger ) . With the persistence of Mukhtar , the Libyans , battling the tanks and guns of the Italian army with their Bedouin troops on horseback , managed to hold off y the Italians for twenty years , until Mukhtar was finally captured and executed.

Filmmaker George Stevens chose Monument Valley Utah for his exterior sequences in The Greatest Story Ever Told this ($20 million) adaptation of Fulton Oursler's best-selling book. The "Greatest Story" is of course the life of Jesus Christ played herein by Max Von Sydow. The large supporting cast includes Dorothy McGuire as Mary Claude Rains as Herod the Great Jose Ferrer as Herod Antipas Charlton Heston as John the Baptist Donald Pleasence as Satan (identified only as "The Dark Hermit") David McCallum as Judas Iscariot Sidney Poitier as Simon of Cyrene Telly Savalas as Pontius Pilate and Martin Landau as Caiaphas. Even Robert Blake as Simon the Zealot Jamie Farr as Thaddaeus and motorcyle-flick veteran Richard Bakalyan as Dismas the repentant thief are well-suited to their roles. Originally roadshown at 260 minutes Greatest Story Ever Told was later available in a 195-minute version.

Filmmaker George Stevens chose Monument Valley , Utah for his exterior sequences in The Greatest Story Ever Told , this ( $20 million ) adaptation of Fulton Oursler's best - selling book. The "Greatest Story" is , of course , the life of Jesus Christ , played herein by Max Von Sydow . The large supporting cast includes Dorothy McGuire as Mary , Claude Rains as Herod the Great , Jose Ferrer as Herod Antipas , Charlton Heston as John the Baptist , Donald Pleasence as Satan ( identified only as "The Dark Hermit" ), David McCallum as Judas Iscariot , Sidney Poitier as Simon of Cyrene , Telly Savalas as Pontius Pilate and Martin Landau as Caiaphas. Even Robert Blake as Simon the Zealot , Jamie Farr as Thaddaeus , and motorcyle - flick veteran Richard Bakalyan as Dismas , the repentant thief , are well - suited to their roles. Originally roadshown at 260 minutes , Greatest Story Ever Told was later available in a 195 - minute version.

During the ill-fated charge of British troops at Balaclava in the Crimean War loyal soldiers who blindly followed orders were led to certain death. This is the fifth time the story has been told on film but the actual event is an afterthought to the main plot. Snobbish aristocrats and ineffectual politicos combine with pompous blue-bloods to make decisions affecting 600 men thousands of miles away. A decidedly anti-war and satirical slant is presented as inept generals stand knee-deep in bodies each blaming the other for the fiasco. Vividly underscored here is the fanaticism dedication and blind loyalty which caused the total annihilation of hundreds of soldiers. This 5-million-dollar epic film recouped only 1 million after the initial release leaving critics to compare the real-life disaster with the financial one suffered by the producers. Trevor Howard John Gielgud and Vanessa Redgrave head the excellent cast.

During the ill - fated charge of British troops at Balaclava in the Crimean War , loyal soldiers who blindly followed orders were led to certain death. This is the fifth time the story has been told on film , but the actual event is an afterthought to the main plot. Snobbish aristocrats and ineffectual politicos combine with pompous blue - bloods to make decisions affecting 600 men thousands of miles away. A decidedly anti - war and satirical slant is presented , as inept generals stand knee - deep in bodies , each blaming the other for the fiasco. Vividly underscored here is the fanaticism , dedication , and blind loyalty which caused the total annihilation of hundreds of soldiers. This 5 - million - dollar epic film recouped only 1 million after the initial release , leaving critics to compare the real - life disaster with the financial one suffered by the producers. Trevor Howard , John Gielgud and Vanessa Redgrave head the excellent cast.

This $20 million animated adventure/fantasy quickly became the highest grossing Japanese film in Japanese film history (making $150 million in Japan during its first seven months). Set in the 14th century the ecology-themed epic was directed by Hayao Miyazaki whose previous films were acquired by Disney for U.S. distribution plus other territories. Princess Mononoke depicts a mystical battle between Animal Gods of the forest and humans during Japan's Muromachi Period. Young Ashitaka receives a fatal infection after a demonic wild boar attacks his northern village. Seeking a cure he sets out to locate the deer-like god Shishigami. Along the way he sees the rape of the Earth by a mining village. The constant plundering by the village has brought the wrath of the Wolf God Moro who attacks the village along with San a human who was raised by the wolf god. She communicates with the nature spirits -- which is why she is called Princess Mononoke ("spirits of things"). Ashitaka wants these opposing forces to co-exist and he hopes to bring peace between San and the ironworks owner Lady Eboshi. However he is thwarted as higher powers intent on killing the Shishigama intrude and a battle erupts over the future of all nature.

This $20 million animated adventure / fantasy quickly became the highest grossing Japanese film in Japanese film history ( making $150 million in Japan during its first seven months ) . Set in the 14th century , the ecology - themed epic was directed by Hayao Miyazaki whose previous films were acquired by Disney for U.S. distribution plus other territories. Princess Mononoke depicts a mystical battle between Animal Gods of the forest and humans during Japan's Muromachi Period. Young Ashitaka receives a fatal infection after a demonic wild boar attacks his northern village. Seeking a cure , he sets out to locate the deer - like god Shishigami. Along the way , he sees the rape of the Earth by a mining village. The constant plundering by the village has brought the wrath of the Wolf God , Moro , who attacks the village along with San , a human who was raised by the wolf god. She communicates with the nature spirits -- which is why she is called Princess Mononoke ( "spirits of things" ) . Ashitaka wants these opposing forces to co - exist , and he hopes to bring peace between San and the ironworks owner , Lady Eboshi. However , he is thwarted as higher powers , intent on killing the Shishigama , intrude , and a battle erupts over the future of all nature.

Damiel (Bruno Ganz) and Cassiel (Otto Sander) are angels who watch over the city of Berlin. They don't have harps or wings (well they usually don't have wings) and they prefer overcoats to gossamer gowns. But they can travel unseen through the city listening to people's thoughts watching their actions and studying their lives. While they can make their presence felt in small ways only children and other angels can see them. They spend their days serenely observing unable to interact with people and they feel neither pain nor joy. One day Damiel finds his way into a circus and sees Marion (Solveig Dommartin) a high-wire artist practicing her act; he is immediately smitten. After the owners of the circus tell the company that the show is out of money and must disband Marion sinks into a funk shuffling back to her trailer to ponder what to do next. As he watches her Damiel makes a decision: he wants to be human and he wants to be with Marion to lift her spirits and if need be to share her pain. Wim Wenders' Wings of Desire is a remarkable modern fairy tale about the nature of being alive. The angels witness the gamut of human emotions and they experience the luxury of simple pleasures (even a cup of coffee and a cigarette) as ones who've never known them. From the angels' viewpoint Berlin is seen in gorgeous black-and-white -- strikingly beautiful but unreal; when they join the humans the image shifts to rough but natural-looking color and the waltz-like grace of the angels' drift through the city changes to a harsher rhythm. Peter Falk appears as himself revealing a secret that we may not have known about the man who played Columbo and there's also a brief but powerful appearance by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. Wings of Desire hinges on the intangible and elusive and it builds something beautiful from those qualities.

Damiel ( Bruno Ganz ) and Cassiel ( Otto Sander ) are angels who watch over the city of Berlin. They don't have harps or wings ( well , they usually don't have wings ) and they prefer overcoats to gossamer gowns. But they can travel unseen through the city , listening to people's thoughts , watching their actions and studying their lives. While they can make their presence felt in small ways , only children and other angels can see them. They spend their days serenely observing , unable to interact with people , and they feel neither pain nor joy. One day , Damiel finds his way into a circus and sees Marion ( Solveig Dommartin ), a high - wire artist , practicing her act ; he is immediately smitten. After the owners of the circus tell the company that the show is out of money and must disband , Marion sinks into a funk , shuffling back to her trailer to ponder what to do next. As he watches her , Damiel makes a decision : he wants to be human , and he wants to be with Marion , to lift her spirits and , if need be , to share her pain. Wim Wenders ' Wings of Desire is a remarkable modern fairy tale about the nature of being alive. The angels witness the gamut of human emotions , and they experience the luxury of simple pleasures ( even a cup of coffee and a cigarette ) as ones who've never known them. From the angels' viewpoint , Berlin is seen in gorgeous black - and - white -- strikingly beautiful but unreal ; when they join the humans , the image shifts to rough but natural - looking color , and the waltz - like grace of the angels' drift through the city changes to a harsher rhythm. Peter Falk appears as himself , revealing a secret that we may not have known about the man who played Columbo , and there's also a brief but powerful appearance by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds . Wings of Desire hinges on the intangible and elusive , and it builds something beautiful from those qualities.

Widely considered to be the definitive of the many film versions of Charles Dickens' classic novel is this 1951 British adaptation starring Alastair Sim (entitled "Scrooge" in its U.K. release). Sim plays Ebenezer Scrooge a London miser who despite his wealth refuses to make charitable contributions and treats his sole employee Bob Cratchit as an indentured servant. On Christmas Eve Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his late business partner Jacob Marley who was as selfish as Scrooge in life and has been condemned to an eternity of wandering the Earth in shackles. Marley informs Scrooge that he's to receive a trio of spirits that night who will take him on a journey through Christmases Past Present and Yet to Come. As Scrooge encounters each apparition he is taken on a tour of his life and realizes what a wretch he is transformed by greed from an idealistic youth into an embittered ogre. Infused with a new cheery outlook Scrooge sets about earning his redemption.

Widely considered to be the definitive of the many film versions of Charles Dickens ' classic novel is this 1951 British adaptation , starring Alastair Sim ( entitled "Scrooge" in its U.K. release ) . Sim plays Ebenezer Scrooge , a London miser who , despite his wealth , refuses to make charitable contributions and treats his sole employee , Bob Cratchit , as an indentured servant. On Christmas Eve , Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his late business partner , Jacob Marley , who was as selfish as Scrooge in life and has been condemned to an eternity of wandering the Earth in shackles. Marley informs Scrooge that he's to receive a trio of spirits that night who will take him on a journey through Christmases Past , Present , and Yet to Come. As Scrooge encounters each apparition , he is taken on a tour of his life and realizes what a wretch he is , transformed by greed from an idealistic youth into an embittered ogre. Infused with a new , cheery outlook , Scrooge sets about earning his redemption.

The best-selling novel by J.K. Rowling (titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in England as was this film adaptation) becomes this hotly anticipated fantasy adventure from Chris Columbus the winner of a high-stakes search for a director to bring the first in a hoped-for franchise of Potter films to the screen by Warner Bros. Upon his 11th birthday Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) who lives in misery with an aunt and uncle that don't want him learns from a giant named Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) that he is the orphaned son of powerful wizards. Harry is offered a place at prestigious Hogwarts a boarding school for wizards that exists in a realm of magic and fantasy outside the dreary existence of normal humans or "Muggles." At Hogwarts Harry quickly makes new friends and begins piecing together the mystery of his parents' deaths which appear not to have been accidental after all. The film features alternate-version scenes for every mention of the titular rock. Richard Harris Alan Rickman Maggie Smith John Cleese and Fiona Shaw co-star.

The best - selling novel by J.K. Rowling ( titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in England , as was this film adaptation ) becomes this hotly anticipated fantasy adventure from Chris Columbus , the winner of a high - stakes search for a director to bring the first in a hoped - for franchise of Potter films to the screen by Warner Bros. Upon his 11th birthday , Harry Potter ( Daniel Radcliffe ), who lives in misery with an aunt and uncle that don't want him , learns from a giant named Hagrid ( Robbie Coltrane ) that he is the orphaned son of powerful wizards. Harry is offered a place at prestigious Hogwarts , a boarding school for wizards that exists in a realm of magic and fantasy outside the dreary existence of normal humans or "Muggles." At Hogwarts , Harry quickly makes new friends and begins piecing together the mystery of his parents' deaths , which appear not to have been accidental after all. The film features alternate - version scenes for every mention of the titular rock. Richard Harris , Alan Rickman , Maggie Smith , John Cleese , and Fiona Shaw co - star.

Yellow Submarine is an animated meandering journey filled with puns and dry British humor where psychedelic music videos take precedent over any linear story. What little there is of a plot however concerns a vibrantly colored place called Pepperland that resembles the album cover for Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band come to life. The swirling animation is a mixture of pop-culture images and modern artistic styles brought loosely together with a naïve antiwar message and some clever political commentary. The Blue Meanies take over Pepperland draining it of all its color and music firing anti-music missiles bonking people with green apples and turning the inhabitants to stone by way of the pointed finger of a giant white glove. As the only survivor the Lord Admiral escapes in the yellow submarine and goes to London to enlist the help of the Beatles (voiced by actors). The charming and innocent boys travel through strange worlds and meet bizarre characters including the tagalong Nowhere Man. Several blissed-filled musical sequences and drug references later the Beatles drive out the Blue Meanies and restore Pepperland to tranquility armed with only music love and witty remarks.

Yellow Submarine is an animated meandering journey filled with puns and dry British humor , where psychedelic music videos take precedent over any linear story. What little there is of a plot , however , concerns a vibrantly colored place called Pepperland that resembles the album cover for Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band come to life. The swirling animation is a mixture of pop - culture images and modern artistic styles brought loosely together with a naïve antiwar message and some clever political commentary. The Blue Meanies take over Pepperland , draining it of all its color and music , firing anti - music missiles , bonking people with green apples , and turning the inhabitants to stone by way of the pointed finger of a giant white glove. As the only survivor , the Lord Admiral escapes in the yellow submarine and goes to London to enlist the help of the Beatles ( voiced by actors ) . The charming and innocent boys travel through strange worlds and meet bizarre characters , including the tagalong Nowhere Man. Several blissed - filled musical sequences and drug references later , the Beatles drive out the Blue Meanies and restore Pepperland to tranquility armed with only music , love , and witty remarks.

The 1995 Academy award-winning film Babe was Australian-made and featured the latest in talking animal anima-tronics. It told the heart-warming story of a sheepherding pig named Babe and his rise to community fame. The film was a tremendous hit both financially and critically. Babe: Pig in the City is the higher budgeted American-made sequel that picks up where the original left off. It was directed by George Miller (Mad Max trilogy) who produced the original Babe film and received a lot of criticism for being much darker than the original. The story owes more to George Orwell's Animal Farm or Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist than the original film. Having triumphed at the National Sheepdog trials Babe returns home a hero. But after farmer Hoggett (James Cromwell) suffers from a farming accident Mrs. Hoggett a naive portly woman is left to work the ranch alone. It's not long before the bank comes knocking. Desperate to save her farm from foreclosure she accepts an offer for Babe to perform his sheepherding abilities at an overseas state fair. Babe Mrs. Hoggett Ferdinand the duck and the singing mice travel across the ocean to a surreal metropolis where they suddenly become stranded and separated. Soon Babe is performing with circus apes being chased by wild strays (sounding a lot like Marlon Brando in The Godfather) and making a new wheelchair-bound canine friend (voiced by Adam Goldberg). He also is anointed leader of the animal community. What Babe lacks in street smarts he makes up for in honest goodness as he teaches audiences yet again that "an unprejudiced heart can mend a broken world."

The 1995 Academy award - winning film Babe was Australian - made and featured the latest in talking animal anima - tronics. It told the heart - warming story of a sheepherding pig named Babe and his rise to community fame. The film was a tremendous hit , both financially and critically. Babe : Pig in the City is the higher budgeted American - made sequel that picks up where the original left off. It was directed by George Miller ( Mad Max trilogy ) who produced the original Babe film , and received a lot of criticism for being much darker than the original. The story owes more to George Orwell 's Animal Farm or Charles Dickens ' Oliver Twist than the original film. Having triumphed at the National Sheepdog trials , Babe returns home a hero. But after farmer Hoggett ( James Cromwell ) suffers from a farming accident , Mrs. Hoggett , a naive portly woman , is left to work the ranch alone. It's not long before the bank comes knocking. Desperate to save her farm from foreclosure , she accepts an offer for Babe to perform his sheepherding abilities at an overseas state fair. Babe , Mrs. Hoggett , Ferdinand the duck , and the singing mice travel across the ocean to a surreal metropolis , where they suddenly become stranded and separated. Soon Babe is performing with circus apes , being chased by wild strays ( sounding a lot like Marlon Brando in The Godfather ), and making a new wheelchair - bound canine friend ( voiced by Adam Goldberg ) . He also is anointed leader of the animal community. What Babe lacks in street smarts he makes up for in honest goodness as he teaches audiences yet again that "an unprejudiced heart can mend a broken world."

In 1966 a famous actor (Peter O'Toole) is taken by a rowboat to a fabulous old hotel on an island in the middle of a lake. He comes to find out that time stands still here -- and the reason is that he is dead. He discovers that all the residents of the hotel are famous but dead people including Albert Einstein and Ernest Hemingway. It seems that as public interest in a dead celebrity fades away the celebrity is given smaller and smaller rooms until finally they are thrown out. Among the famous people that the actor meets is the writer who killed him -- for a good reason.

In 1966 , a famous actor ( Peter O'Toole ) is taken by a rowboat to a fabulous old hotel on an island in the middle of a lake. He comes to find out that time stands still here -- and the reason is that he is dead. He discovers that all the residents of the hotel are famous but dead people , including Albert Einstein and Ernest Hemingway. It seems that as public interest in a dead celebrity fades away , the celebrity is given smaller and smaller rooms , until finally they are thrown out. Among the famous people that the actor meets is the writer who killed him -- for a good reason.

Independent filmmaker Sally Potter's gender-bending epic which views four centuries of sexual politics through the eyes of a sex-switching main character is based on the 1928 novel by Virginia Woolf. The androgynous title character is played with delicate quietude by Tilda Swinton. The story begins during the reign of the aging Queen Elizabeth I (Quentin Crisp in a droll turn recalling his The Naked Civil Servant). Queen Elizabeth takes a shine to the attractive young Orlando and seeks out his sexual favors. In return Elizabeth grants him a large estate commanding him "Do not fade do not wither do not grow old." Orlando takes the queen at her word and doesn't. When Elizabeth dies Orlando becomes attracted to Sasha (Charlotte Valandrey) the daughter of a Russian diplomat but she rebuffs his advances. Crushed Orlando accepts an ambassadorship to Constantinople. After witnessing the killing of a man in battle Orlando undergoes a change of sex becoming a woman and returning to England where she hobnobs with 18th-century geniuses like Jonathan Swift Alexander Pope and John Addison. Walking through a garden labyrinth the time frame shifts to the 19th century and Orlando falls in love with a handsome American (Billy Zane). Now in the 20th century Orlando gives birth to his child and continues on.

Independent filmmaker Sally Potter 's gender - bending epic , which views four centuries of sexual politics through the eyes of a sex - switching main character , is based on the 1928 novel by Virginia Woolf . The androgynous title character is played with delicate quietude by Tilda Swinton . The story begins during the reign of the aging Queen Elizabeth I ( Quentin Crisp , in a droll turn recalling his The Naked Civil Servant ) . Queen Elizabeth takes a shine to the attractive young Orlando and seeks out his sexual favors. In return , Elizabeth grants him a large estate , commanding him , "Do not fade , do not wither , do not grow old." Orlando takes the queen at her word and doesn't. When Elizabeth dies , Orlando becomes attracted to Sasha ( Charlotte Valandrey ), the daughter of a Russian diplomat , but she rebuffs his advances. Crushed , Orlando accepts an ambassadorship to Constantinople. After witnessing the killing of a man in battle , Orlando undergoes a change of sex , becoming a woman and returning to England , where she hobnobs with 18th - century geniuses like Jonathan Swift , Alexander Pope , and John Addison. Walking through a garden labyrinth , the time frame shifts to the 19th century , and Orlando falls in love with a handsome American ( Billy Zane ) . Now in the 20th century , Orlando gives birth to his child and continues on.

Promoted as a family musical by Paramount Pictures Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is more of a black comedy perversely faithful to the spirit of Roald Dahl's original book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) stages a contest by hiding five golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whoever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats: the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum) who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather (Jack Albertson). In the course of the tour Willy Wonka punishes the four nastier children in various diabolical methods -- one kid is inflated and covered with blueberry dye another ends up as a principal ingredient of the chocolate and so on -- because these kids have violated the ethics of Wonka's factory. In the end only Charlie and his grandfather are left. Ostensibly set in England Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was lensed in Germany (as revealed by the film's final overhead shot).

Promoted as a family musical by Paramount Pictures , Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is more of a black comedy , perversely faithful to the spirit of Roald Dahl 's original book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory . Enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka ( Gene Wilder ) stages a contest by hiding five golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whoever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory , as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats : the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket ( Peter Ostrum ), who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather ( Jack Albertson ) . In the course of the tour , Willy Wonka punishes the four nastier children in various diabolical methods -- one kid is inflated and covered with blueberry dye , another ends up as a principal ingredient of the chocolate , and so on -- because these kids have violated the ethics of Wonka's factory. In the end , only Charlie and his grandfather are left. Ostensibly set in England , Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was lensed in Germany ( as revealed by the film's final overhead shot ) .

Pianist Nina (Juliet Stevenson) and cellist Jamie (Alan Rickman) played together and loved together. When they weren't making music with each other they made love. It was an idyllic romantic and musical partnership and when Jamie dies Nina takes it very hard. The condolences of friends and relatives don't help much when everything in the apartment they shared reminds her of him. She's a real basket case and can barely get on with her life. One day while plunking dejectedly on the piano Nina looks up to discover Jamie in ghostly form lively as ever and just as loving. With a few new wrinkles (such as parties which include Jamie's newfound ghost friends) they resume living their relationship almost as before. Nina's friends are puzzled at her change from suicidal despondency to giddy cheefulness but Jamie has pledged Nina to secrecy about their renewed relationship. For that reason she cannot find any good excuses for not responding to the romantic advances of a living man Mark (Michael Maloney). Before long she will have to choose between the two of them.

Pianist Nina ( Juliet Stevenson ) and cellist Jamie ( Alan Rickman ) played together and loved together. When they weren't making music with each other , they made love. It was an idyllic romantic and musical partnership , and when Jamie dies , Nina takes it very hard. The condolences of friends and relatives don't help much when everything in the apartment they shared reminds her of him. She's a real basket case , and can barely get on with her life. One day , while plunking dejectedly on the piano , Nina looks up to discover Jamie , in ghostly form , lively as ever and just as loving. With a few new wrinkles ( such as parties which include Jamie's newfound ghost friends ), they resume living their relationship almost as before. Nina's friends are puzzled at her change from suicidal despondency to giddy cheefulness , but Jamie has pledged Nina to secrecy about their renewed relationship. For that reason , she cannot find any good excuses for not responding to the romantic advances of a living man , Mark ( Michael Maloney ) . Before long , she will have to choose between the two of them.

During her 25th high school class reunion middle-aged Peggy Sue (Kathleen Turner) tries to forget her marital problems with husband Charlie (Nicolas Cage) by renewing old friendships. Wondering if she made the right decisions in her life Peggy Sue gets a chance to try again when zapped into a time warp she finds herself a teenager back in 1960. Armed with foreknowledge (the scene in which she tells off her algebra teacher is a particular treat) Peggy Sue gets to retrace the steps leading up to her unhappy marriage to high-school sweetheart Charlie. Will nerdish Richard Norvik (Barry Miller) who always carried a torch for Peggy Sue and whom she knows will become a millionaire computer mogul by 1985 win out over the unreliable Charlie this time? A "small" film from the otherwise profligate Francis Ford Coppola Peggy Sue Got Married possesses an irresistible charm that makes up for its glaring plot deficiencies. The youthful cast is matched in its appeal by such veterans as Leon Ames Maureen O'Sullivan and John Carradine. And yes that is Jim Carrey as Walter Getz.

During her 25th high school class reunion , middle - aged Peggy Sue ( Kathleen Turner ) tries to forget her marital problems with husband Charlie ( Nicolas Cage ) by renewing old friendships. Wondering if she made the right decisions in her life , Peggy Sue gets a chance to try again when , zapped into a time warp , she finds herself a teenager back in 1960. Armed with foreknowledge ( the scene in which she tells off her algebra teacher is a particular treat ), Peggy Sue gets to retrace the steps leading up to her unhappy marriage to high - school sweetheart Charlie. Will nerdish Richard Norvik ( Barry Miller ), who always carried a torch for Peggy Sue and whom she knows will become a millionaire computer mogul by 1985 , win out over the unreliable Charlie this time? A "small" film from the otherwise profligate Francis Ford Coppola , Peggy Sue Got Married possesses an irresistible charm that makes up for its glaring plot deficiencies. The youthful cast is matched in its appeal by such veterans as Leon Ames , Maureen O'Sullivan and John Carradine . And yes , that is Jim Carrey as Walter Getz.

Opting for light entertainment after the critical satire of Shampoo (1975) producer-director-writer-star Warren Beatty remade the 1941 comic fantasy Here Comes Mr. Jordan. Dimly amiable L.A. Rams quarterback Joe Pendleton (Beatty) is prematurely called to Heaven by an over-eager escort (Buck Henry who co-directed) after a traffic accident. When archangel Mr. Jordan (James Mason) discovers the error he offers to return Joe to his body only to find that it has been cremated. On the verge of playing in the Super Bowl Joe demands a fit body rather than the old about-to-be-murdered industrialist Farnsworth he has been offered but he reconsiders when he sees environmentalist Betty Logan (Julie Christie) in Farnsworth's house. Assuming Farnsworth's body while keeping his sweet self Joe hires his beloved coach Max Corkle (Jack Warden) to get him in shape (after convincing Max who he really is) sets Farnsworth's business on an eco-friendly path and romances Betty. Farnsworth's homicidal wife (Dyan Cannon) and secretary (Charles Grodin) however are still determined to succeed in their plan to kill him. When Mr. Jordan finally finds the Super Bowl body Joe wanted Joe has to trade his old self for the new life -- but will he remember his love for Betty? Heaven Can Wait offered contemporary yet old-fashioned escapism and tapped into the late-1970s vogue for nostalgic fun becoming one of 1978's most popular summer movies after Grease. Updating the original while following its blueprint Beatty and co-writer Elaine May switched Joe's sport and turned Joe into a man of his '70s moment adoring Betty for her convictions and favoring "green" policies over corporate greed. Gently breathing life into a classic form Heaven Can Wait found romantic innocence in a jaded time and it went on to receive nine Oscar nominations including Best Picture.

Opting for light entertainment after the critical satire of Shampoo ( 1975 ), producer - director - writer - star Warren Beatty remade the 1941 comic fantasy Here Comes Mr. Jordan . Dimly amiable L.A. Rams quarterback Joe Pendleton ( Beatty ) is prematurely called to Heaven by an over - eager escort ( Buck Henry , who co - directed ) after a traffic accident. When archangel Mr. Jordan ( James Mason ) discovers the error , he offers to return Joe to his body , only to find that it has been cremated. On the verge of playing in the Super Bowl , Joe demands a fit body rather than the old about - to - be - murdered industrialist Farnsworth he has been offered , but he reconsiders when he sees environmentalist Betty Logan ( Julie Christie ) in Farnsworth's house. Assuming Farnsworth's body while keeping his sweet self , Joe hires his beloved coach Max Corkle ( Jack Warden ) to get him in shape ( after convincing Max who he really is ), sets Farnsworth's business on an eco - friendly path , and romances Betty. Farnsworth's homicidal wife ( Dyan Cannon ) and secretary ( Charles Grodin ), however , are still determined to succeed in their plan to kill him. When Mr. Jordan finally finds the Super Bowl body Joe wanted , Joe has to trade his old self for the new life -- but will he remember his love for Betty? Heaven Can Wait offered contemporary yet old - fashioned escapism and tapped into the late - 1970s vogue for nostalgic fun , becoming one of 1978's most popular summer movies after Grease . Updating the original while following its blueprint , Beatty and co - writer Elaine May switched Joe's sport and turned Joe into a man of his '70s moment , adoring Betty for her convictions and favoring "green" policies over corporate greed. Gently breathing life into a classic form , Heaven Can Wait found romantic innocence in a jaded time , and it went on to receive nine Oscar nominations , including Best Picture.

An interesting hybrid of popular film genres Ghost showcases the talents of its entire cast. While out on the town one evening New York couple Sam (Patrick Swayze) and Molly (Demi Moore) are confronted by a mugger. After submitting to his demands Sam is murdered anyway. He then finds himself a disembodied spirit invisible to the living world wandering without hope until he finds a spiteful spirit aboard the subway (Vincent Schiavelli) who gives him some helpful pointers on how to co-exist. Soon Sam comes back into contact with those he knew in life and he begins to learn piece-by-piece of his close friend and co-worker Carl's (Tony Goldwyn) embezzling plot which caused his death; the apparent mugging was in fact a premeditated murder. In the meantime Carl has designs on Molly and Sam is determined to extract revenge. He contacts a psychic (Whoopi Goldberg) and together the two set out to serve justice and stop the maniacal Carl from getting to Molly. Blending comedy romance action and horror Ghost was a box-office smash and managed to garner five Academy Award nominations including "Best Picture" "Best Supporting Actress" (Goldberg) "Best Original Screenplay" "Best Editing" and "Best Score"; Goldberg won her first Oscar.

An interesting hybrid of popular film genres , Ghost showcases the talents of its entire cast. While out on the town one evening , New York couple Sam ( Patrick Swayze ) and Molly ( Demi Moore ) are confronted by a mugger. After submitting to his demands , Sam is murdered anyway. He then finds himself a disembodied spirit , invisible to the living world , wandering without hope until he finds a spiteful spirit aboard the subway ( Vincent Schiavelli ) who gives him some helpful pointers on how to co - exist. Soon Sam comes back into contact with those he knew in life , and he begins to learn piece - by - piece of his close friend and co - worker Carl's ( Tony Goldwyn ) embezzling plot which caused his death ; the apparent mugging was , in fact , a premeditated murder. In the meantime , Carl has designs on Molly , and Sam is determined to extract revenge. He contacts a psychic ( Whoopi Goldberg ), and together , the two set out to serve justice and stop the maniacal Carl from getting to Molly. Blending comedy , romance , action , and horror , Ghost was a box - office smash and managed to garner five Academy Award nominations , including "Best Picture , " "Best Supporting Actress" ( Goldberg ), "Best Original Screenplay , " "Best Editing , " and "Best Score" ; Goldberg won her first Oscar.

John Boorman directed this gloriously savage interpretation of Arthurian legend loosely based on Thomas Malory's novel Le Morte d'Arthur. By turns gleaming and filthy tender and bloody the film is a visually stunning epic which is never less than compelling. Nigel Terry is perfectly cast as Arthur whose unwavering trust and faith are shown to be both quietly heroic and achingly naïve. Interestingly the quest for the Grail is the least effective part of the film despite bold cinematography by Alex Thomson (who was nominated for an Oscar) and a fine performance by Paul Geoffrey as Perceval whose greatest desire is attained in his dying sight. It is the scenes of Camelot in which Boorman is at his most effective as Arthur is betrayed by the burning passions of Guenevere (Cherie Lunghi) and Lancelot (Nicholas Clay) whose boiling internal forces cannot be denied whatever the cost. The wicked Mordred (Robert Addie) and Morgana (Helen Mirren) are commanding when onscreen and Nicol Williamson's performance as the grandiosely self-sacrificing Merlin is outstanding. Liam Neeson and Patrick Stewart also appear in this dense passionate and stirring triumph featuring a marvelous Trevor Jones score. The gruesome effects by Peter Hutchinson and Alan Whibley however and sights such as a knight having sex in full body armor make this a fairy tale strictly for adults.

John Boorman directed this gloriously savage interpretation of Arthurian legend loosely based on Thomas Malory 's novel Le Morte d'Arthur . By turns gleaming and filthy , tender and bloody , the film is a visually stunning epic which is never less than compelling. Nigel Terry is perfectly cast as Arthur , whose unwavering trust and faith are shown to be both quietly heroic and achingly naïve. Interestingly , the quest for the Grail is the least effective part of the film , despite bold cinematography by Alex Thomson ( who was nominated for an Oscar ) and a fine performance by Paul Geoffrey as Perceval , whose greatest desire is attained in his dying sight. It is the scenes of Camelot in which Boorman is at his most effective , as Arthur is betrayed by the burning passions of Guenevere ( Cherie Lunghi ) and Lancelot ( Nicholas Clay ), whose boiling internal forces cannot be denied , whatever the cost. The wicked Mordred ( Robert Addie ) and Morgana ( Helen Mirren ) are commanding when onscreen , and Nicol Williamson 's performance as the grandiosely self - sacrificing Merlin is outstanding. Liam Neeson and Patrick Stewart also appear in this dense , passionate , and stirring triumph featuring a marvelous Trevor Jones score. The gruesome effects by Peter Hutchinson and Alan Whibley , however , and sights such as a knight having sex in full body armor make this a fairy tale strictly for adults.

Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands opens as an eccentric inventor (Vincent Price) lovingly assembles a synthetic youth named Edward (Johnny Depp). Edward has all the essential ingredients for today's standard body with the exception of a pair of hands. For what is initially thought to be a temporary period he is fitted with long scissor-like extremities that while able to trim a mean hedge are hardly conducive to day-to-day life. When the kindly inventor dies however Edward is left lonely and cursed with some very heavy metal for hands. He is eventually taken in by Peg Boggs (Dianne Weist) an Avon lady who takes pity on him after seeing his bleak existence. Edward in spite of his inherent ability to slay anyone he comes across is a gentle soul whose only wish is to be loved. His impromptu family has at best a limited understanding of Edward but he finds himself drawn to Peg's weary but sympathetic daughter Kim (Winona Ryder) who is dating Jim (Anthony Michael Hall) the neighborhood bully. Meanwhile Edward finds himself a local celebrity after the town realizes that his talents include creative hedge trimming and an unrivaled ability to cut hair. His so-called friends are proven fair-weather when Edward is accused of a crime after which his only supporters are Peg and Kim.

Tim Burton 's Edward Scissorhands opens as an eccentric inventor ( Vincent Price ) lovingly assembles a synthetic youth named Edward ( Johnny Depp ) . Edward has all the essential ingredients for today's standard body , with the exception of a pair of hands. For what is initially thought to be a temporary period , he is fitted with long , scissor - like extremities that , while able to trim a mean hedge , are hardly conducive to day - to - day life. When the kindly inventor dies , however , Edward is left lonely and cursed with some very heavy metal for hands. He is eventually taken in by Peg Boggs ( Dianne Weist ), an Avon lady who takes pity on him after seeing his bleak existence. Edward , in spite of his inherent ability to slay anyone he comes across , is a gentle soul whose only wish is to be loved. His impromptu family has , at best , a limited understanding of Edward , but he finds himself drawn to Peg's weary but sympathetic daughter , Kim ( Winona Ryder ), who is dating Jim ( Anthony Michael Hall ), the neighborhood bully. Meanwhile , Edward finds himself a local celebrity after the town realizes that his talents include creative hedge trimming and an unrivaled ability to cut hair. His so - called friends are proven fair - weather when Edward is accused of a crime , after which his only supporters are Peg and Kim.

Albert Brooks wrote directed and stars in this philosophical comedy about a man having a hard time making a case for himself in the afterlife. When advertising executive Daniel Miller (Albert Brooks) finds himself in a fatal car crash minutes after taking delivery on a new BMW he's whisked away to Judgment City where the recently dead are put on a sort of trial to decide their fate. If in your time on Earth you were able to face your fears and learn from your mistakes you get to move on to a life in a better world. However if you didn't you have to go back to Earth and try again. As he spends the next several days watching various episodes from his life Daniel gets the impression he doesn't stand much of a chance of moving on -- and his representative Bob Diamond (Rip Torn) seems to have little confidence in his case. In the meantime he frequents Judgment City's many restaurants (where the food is delicious and you can eat all you want without gaining an ounce) pays a visit to the Past Life Pavilion and meets Julia (Meryl Streep) who seems so kind sweet and noble that her advancement is practically assured. Daniel and Julia fall in love but what's going to happen if they don't end up in the same place? Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep make a witty and engaging romantic team in Defending Your Life and Shirley MacLaine appears in a highly appropriate cameo.

Albert Brooks wrote , directed , and stars in this philosophical comedy about a man having a hard time making a case for himself in the afterlife. When advertising executive Daniel Miller ( Albert Brooks ) finds himself in a fatal car crash minutes after taking delivery on a new BMW , he's whisked away to Judgment City , where the recently dead are put on a sort of trial to decide their fate. If in your time on Earth you were able to face your fears and learn from your mistakes , you get to move on to a life in a better world. However , if you didn't , you have to go back to Earth and try again. As he spends the next several days watching various episodes from his life , Daniel gets the impression he doesn't stand much of a chance of moving on -- and his representative , Bob Diamond ( Rip Torn ), seems to have little confidence in his case. In the meantime , he frequents Judgment City's many restaurants ( where the food is delicious and you can eat all you want without gaining an ounce ), pays a visit to the Past Life Pavilion , and meets Julia ( Meryl Streep ), who seems so kind , sweet , and noble that her advancement is practically assured. Daniel and Julia fall in love , but what's going to happen if they don't end up in the same place? Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep make a witty and engaging romantic team in Defending Your Life , and Shirley MacLaine appears in a highly appropriate cameo.

Company of Wolves is Little Red Riding Hood for the Alien generation. Sheltered 13-year-old Sarah Patterson living on the edge of a foreboding woods is visited by her grandmother Angela Lansbury. The old lady delights in telling Sarah the most horrific stories usually involving what happens to little girls if they trust wolves--the actual rather than symbolic kind. Later on Sarah sets out through the woods to visit her grandmother. She makes the acquaintance of a seductive young huntsman (Micha Bergese) who turns out to be.....well what big teeth he's got. The ads for Company of Wolves showing a wolf springing from the open mouth of poor little Sarah Patterson were warning enough for the faint of heart. Actually the horror is secondary to the remarkable Grimms-Fairy-Tale ambience which the film successfully sustains from beginning to end. And in keeping with the original unexpurgated versions of most fairy tales the sexual subtext is never far from the surface. Director Neil Jordan would further develop some of the subliminal themes in Company of Wolves in his 1994 production Interview with the Vampire.

Company of Wolves is Little Red Riding Hood for the Alien generation. Sheltered 13 - year - old Sarah Patterson , living on the edge of a foreboding woods , is visited by her grandmother Angela Lansbury . The old lady delights in telling Sarah the most horrific stories , usually involving what happens to little girls if they trust wolves -- the actual , rather than symbolic kind. Later on , Sarah sets out through the woods to visit her grandmother. She makes the acquaintance of a seductive young huntsman ( Micha Bergese ), who turns out to be.....well , what big teeth he's got. The ads for Company of Wolves , showing a wolf springing from the open mouth of poor little Sarah Patterson , were warning enough for the faint of heart. Actually , the horror is secondary to the remarkable Grimms - Fairy - Tale ambience which the film successfully sustains from beginning to end. And , in keeping with the original unexpurgated versions of most fairy tales , the sexual subtext is never far from the surface. Director Neil Jordan would further develop some of the subliminal themes in Company of Wolves in his 1994 production Interview with the Vampire.

ehind the black cowl Gotham City superhero Batman is really millionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) who turned to crimefighting after his parents were brutally murdered before his eyes. The only person to share Wayne's secret is faithful butler Alfred (Michael Gough). The principal villain in Batman is The Joker (Jack Nicholson) who'd been mob torpedo Jack Napier before he was horribly disfigured in a vat of acid. The Joker's plan to destroy Batman and gain control of Gotham City is manifold. First he distributes a line of booby-trapped cosmetics then he goes on a destruction spree in the Gotham Art Museum while the music of Prince blasts away in the background and finally he orchestrates an all-out campaign to win the hearts and minds of the Gothamites hoping to turn them against the Cowled One. Meanwhile reporter Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger) becomes the love of Batman's life-which of course plays right into the Joker's hands. Photographed by Roger Pratt designed by Anton Furst and scored by Tim Burton's favorite composer Danny Elfman Batman was a monstrous box-office hit making $100 million in the first ten days of release--$82800000 in North America alone. Incidentally Billy Dee Williams' comparatively small role as DA Harvey Dent was originally designed to set up the sequel wherein Dent was to convert into master criminal Two-Face; but by the time the producers got around to that character in 1995's Batman Forever Two-Face was played by Tommy Lee Jones.

Behind the black cowl , Gotham City superhero Batman is really millionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne ( Michael Keaton ), who turned to crimefighting after his parents were brutally murdered before his eyes. The only person to share Wayne's secret is faithful butler Alfred ( Michael Gough ) . The principal villain in Batman is The Joker ( Jack Nicholson ) who'd been mob torpedo Jack Napier before he was horribly disfigured in a vat of acid. The Joker's plan to destroy Batman and gain control of Gotham City is manifold. First he distributes a line of booby - trapped cosmetics , then he goes on a destruction spree in the Gotham Art Museum while the music of Prince blasts away in the background , and finally he orchestrates an all - out campaign to win the hearts and minds of the Gothamites , hoping to turn them against the Cowled One. Meanwhile , reporter Vicki Vale ( Kim Basinger ) becomes the love of Batman's life - which of course plays right into the Joker's hands. Photographed by Roger Pratt , designed by Anton Furst , and scored by Tim Burton 's favorite composer Danny Elfman , Batman was a monstrous box - office hit , making $100 million in the first ten days of release -- $82 , 800 , 000 in North America alone. Incidentally , Billy Dee Williams ' comparatively small role as DA Harvey Dent was originally designed to set up the sequel , wherein Dent was to convert into master criminal Two - Face ; but by the time the producers got around to that character in 1995's Batman Forever , Two - Face was played by Tommy Lee Jones .

While investigating an infidelity case an unconventional private detective discovers a far-reaching conspiracy in the magical world of 1950s Hollywood -- and in this film the word "magical" is meant literally. Director Paul Schrader's comic mystery originally made for cable is set in an alternate universe where witchcraft is commonplace and magic just another modern convenience. The magic trend is particularly prominent in Hollywood where detective H. Phillip Lovecraft is considered unusual for preferring to do things the old-fashioned non-magical way. Still Lovecraft is successful enough to be hired by famed movie star Kim Hudson who suspects that she's being cheated on by her husband wealthy producer N. G. Gottleib. It seems like a cut-and-dry case until Gottleib winds up dead the victim of a magic spell. Lovecraft's subsequent investigation finds this murder is part of a conspiracy centering around a secret magic-run brothel and somehow involving Senator Lance Crockett a McCarthy-like conservative leading a popular campaign to outlaw magic. When Crockett frames one of Lovecraft's friends as the witch responsible for Gottleib's death it is up to Lovecraft to reveal the truth before his friend is burned at the stake.

While investigating an infidelity case , an unconventional private detective discovers a far - reaching conspiracy in the magical world of 1950s Hollywood -- and in this film , the word "magical" is meant literally. Director Paul Schrader 's comic mystery , originally made for cable , is set in an alternate universe where witchcraft is commonplace and magic just another modern convenience. The magic trend is particularly prominent in Hollywood , where detective H. Phillip Lovecraft is considered unusual for preferring to do things the old - fashioned , non - magical way. Still , Lovecraft is successful enough to be hired by famed movie star Kim Hudson , who suspects that she's being cheated on by her husband , wealthy producer N. G. Gottleib. It seems like a cut - and - dry case , until Gottleib winds up dead , the victim of a magic spell. Lovecraft's subsequent investigation finds this murder is part of a conspiracy centering around a secret , magic - run brothel and somehow involving Senator Lance Crockett , a McCarthy - like conservative leading a popular campaign to outlaw magic. When Crockett frames one of Lovecraft's friends as the witch responsible for Gottleib's death , it is up to Lovecraft to reveal the truth before his friend is burned at the stake.

This visually inventive French sci-fi/fantasy tale began winning a cult following practically from the moment it was released. Krank (Daniel Emilfork) is a foul monstrous creature who lords over the inhabitants of a small island; Krank's emotional being is every bit as ugly as his physical personage largely because he does not have the ability to dream. However he has developed a machine that can drain the dreams of others from their heads and he devotes himself to kidnapping children from a nearby harbor town so that he can steal their pleasant dreams. Denree (Joseph Lucien) is one of the children who has been spirited off to the island; Krank discovers that he's an even bigger problem than he imagined when his big brother One (Ron Perlman) a harpoon-wielding mountain of a man sets out on a rescue mission. Once he arrives on Krank's island One encounters a brain in a fish tank that has learned to talk a group of clones who can't decide who is the original a pair of Siamese twins an octopus that guides a group of orphaned thieves and a girl named Miette (Judith Vittet) who says she can guide One to Denree.

This visually inventive French sci - fi / fantasy tale began winning a cult following practically from the moment it was released. Krank ( Daniel Emilfork ) is a foul , monstrous creature who lords over the inhabitants of a small island ; Krank's emotional being is every bit as ugly as his physical personage , largely because he does not have the ability to dream. However , he has developed a machine that can drain the dreams of others from their heads , and he devotes himself to kidnapping children from a nearby harbor town so that he can steal their pleasant dreams. Denree ( Joseph Lucien ) is one of the children who has been spirited off to the island ; Krank discovers that he's an even bigger problem than he imagined when his big brother One ( Ron Perlman ), a harpoon - wielding mountain of a man , sets out on a rescue mission. Once he arrives on Krank's island , One encounters a brain in a fish tank that has learned to talk , a group of clones who can't decide who is the original , a pair of Siamese twins , an octopus that guides a group of orphaned thieves , and a girl named Miette ( Judith Vittet ) who says she can guide One to Denree.

Hyperactive mayhem results when a mild-manned banker discovers an ancient mask that transforms him into a zany prankster with superhuman powers in this special-effects-intensive comedy. The wildly improvisational Jim Carrey plays Stanley Ipkiss a decent-hearted but socially awkward guy who one night finds a strange mask. Carrey's trademark energy reveals itself after Stanley puts on the mask and the banker transforms into The Mask a green-skinned zoot-suited fireball. The rubber-faced Mask possesses the courage to do the wild fun things that Stanley fears including romancing Tina Carlyle (Cameron Diaz). In addition to Carrey's physical talents the film makes effective use of digital visual effects that bestow the Mask with superhuman speed insane flexibility and popping eyes out of a Tex Avery cartoon. The larger narrative involving the efforts of Tina's gangster boyfriend to destroy Stanley and use the mask's powers for evil prove less interesting than the anarchic comic set pieces including a particularly memorable dance number to "Cuban Pete." The film delivered enough laughs to become a surprise hit and along with the same year's Dumb and Dumber establish Carrey's status as a comedy superstar.

Hyperactive mayhem results when a mild - manned banker discovers an ancient mask that transforms him into a zany prankster with superhuman powers in this special - effects - intensive comedy. The wildly improvisational Jim Carrey plays Stanley Ipkiss , a decent - hearted but socially awkward guy who one night finds a strange mask. Carrey's trademark energy reveals itself after Stanley puts on the mask and the banker transforms into The Mask , a green - skinned , zoot - suited fireball. The rubber - faced Mask possesses the courage to do the wild , fun things that Stanley fears , including romancing Tina Carlyle ( Cameron Diaz ) . In addition to Carrey's physical talents , the film makes effective use of digital visual effects that bestow the Mask with superhuman speed , insane flexibility , and popping eyes out of a Tex Avery cartoon. The larger narrative , involving the efforts of Tina's gangster boyfriend to destroy Stanley and use the mask's powers for evil , prove less interesting than the anarchic comic set pieces , including a particularly memorable dance number to "Cuban Pete." The film delivered enough laughs to become a surprise hit and , along with the same year's Dumb and Dumber , establish Carrey's status as a comedy superstar.

ased on the graphic novel by James O'Barr this fantasy follows Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) a rock musician who is murdered along with his fiancée Shelly (Sofia Shinas) by a group of marauding thugs who terrorize the decaying city in which they live. One year to the day after his death (which happens to be Devil's Night) a mystical crow appears at Eric's grave; Eric rises from the dead and with the bird as his guide goes on a mission to avenge himself against Top Dollar (Michael Wincott) the leader of the gang who killed him. Star Brandon Lee was killed while filming a scene in which he was shot with a shell from an improperly cleaned gun that was supposed to be loaded with blanks. Like his father martial arts superstar Bruce Lee Brandon was fated to enjoy his greatest popular success after his premature death.

Based on the graphic novel by James O'Barr , this fantasy follows Eric Draven ( Brandon Lee ), a rock musician who is murdered along with his fiancée Shelly ( Sofia Shinas ) by a group of marauding thugs who terrorize the decaying city in which they live. One year to the day after his death ( which happens to be Devil's Night ), a mystical crow appears at Eric's grave ; Eric rises from the dead and , with the bird as his guide , goes on a mission to avenge himself against Top Dollar ( Michael Wincott ), the leader of the gang who killed him. Star Brandon Lee was killed while filming a scene in which he was shot with a shell from an improperly cleaned gun that was supposed to be loaded with blanks. Like his father , martial arts superstar Bruce Lee , Brandon was fated to enjoy his greatest popular success after his premature death.

This modest Australian fantasy stars Hamish McFarlane as a young 14th Century boy with acute psychic powers. During the period of the Black Death Hamish believes that he can rescue his fellow villagers by leading them into an abandoned mine. The fugitives tunnel their way through the darkness and emerge on the other side--into a bustling New Zealand metropolis in the year 1988. The phenomenon is seen from the point of view of the "aliens" to whom every modern convenience and invention is a miracle comparable to the Resurrection. The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey successfully creates and sustains its own logic framing the story in the linear form of an ancient legend and never treating the bedazzled time-travellers in a condescending manner.

This modest Australian fantasy stars Hamish McFarlane as a young 14th Century boy with acute psychic powers. During the period of the Black Death , Hamish believes that he can rescue his fellow villagers by leading them into an abandoned mine. The fugitives tunnel their way through the darkness and emerge on the other side -- into a bustling New Zealand metropolis in the year 1988. The phenomenon is seen from the point of view of the "aliens , " to whom every modern convenience and invention is a miracle comparable to the Resurrection. The Navigator : A Medieval Odyssey successfully creates and sustains its own logic , framing the story in the linear form of an ancient legend , and never treating the bedazzled time - travellers in a condescending manner.

With Goldfinger the James Bond series took a turn away from relatively straightforward spy thrillers and toward campy gadgetry extravagant sets and kitschy jokes. Bond (Sean Connery) has to prevent a notorious gold smuggler appropriately named Goldfinger (Gert Fröbe) from robbing Fort Knox. Goldfinger is surrounded by evil henchmen such as the sexy female pilot Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman) and Oddjob (Harold Sakata) who kills with his steel-rimmed bowler hats. In order to stop Goldfinger Bond has to survive several perilous situations including a huge deadly laser. Goldfinger is one of the most popular films in the James Bond series and it set the tone not only for the rest of the series but also for most of the action/adventure films of the late '60s and early '70s.

With Goldfinger , the James Bond series took a turn away from relatively straightforward spy thrillers and toward campy gadgetry , extravagant sets , and kitschy jokes. Bond ( Sean Connery ) has to prevent a notorious gold smuggler , appropriately named Goldfinger ( Gert Fröbe ), from robbing Fort Knox. Goldfinger is surrounded by evil henchmen such as the sexy female pilot Pussy Galore ( Honor Blackman ) and Oddjob ( Harold Sakata ), who kills with his steel - rimmed bowler hats. In order to stop Goldfinger , Bond has to survive several perilous situations , including a huge , deadly laser. Goldfinger is one of the most popular films in the James Bond series , and it set the tone not only for the rest of the series but also for most of the action / adventure films of the late '60s and early '70s.

From Russia With Love the second in the series of James Bond films is the film that solidifies all the Bond film elements into a formula -- the action sequences are intensified and lend greater tension to the proceedings; John Barry's inimitable score makes its first appearance; and Sean Connery as Bond has nailed down his role as 007 -- accentuating Bond's stylishness and sophistication while toning down his cold-bloodedness. In From Russia With Love the bad guys don't want to take over the world. They want something more mundane -- a Russian decoding device. Assigned to the mission of stealing the decoding device are No. 3 former KGB agent Rosa Klebb (Lotte Lenya) and No. 5 Kronsteen (Vladek Sheybal) an expert chess player who has plotted every move of the mission. Kronsteen's plan requires using Bond's weakness for women as an element in acquiring the decoding device. Once Bond obtains the decoding device from Russian cipher clerk Tatiana Romanova (Daniela Bianchi) SPECTRE muscleman Red Grant (Robert Shaw) is to forcibly take it from Bond and kill him. But Bond suspects a trap. Being Bond however he can't resist the lure of a beautiful woman. So flaunting danger Bond travels to Istanbul to meet Tatiana. The centerpiece of this 007 feature is the thrilling fight to the death between Bond and enemy agent Red Grant aboard the Orient Express.

From Russia With Love , the second in the series of James Bond films , is the film that solidifies all the Bond film elements into a formula -- the action sequences are intensified and lend greater tension to the proceedings ; John Barry 's inimitable score makes its first appearance ; and Sean Connery as Bond has nailed down his role as 007 -- accentuating Bond's stylishness and sophistication , while toning down his cold - bloodedness. In From Russia With Love , the bad guys don't want to take over the world. They want something more mundane -- a Russian decoding device. Assigned to the mission of stealing the decoding device are No. 3 , former KGB agent Rosa Klebb ( Lotte Lenya ), and No. 5 , Kronsteen ( Vladek Sheybal ), an expert chess player who has plotted every move of the mission. Kronsteen's plan requires using Bond's weakness for women as an element in acquiring the decoding device. Once Bond obtains the decoding device from Russian cipher clerk Tatiana Romanova ( Daniela Bianchi ), SPECTRE muscleman Red Grant ( Robert Shaw ) is to forcibly take it from Bond and kill him. But Bond suspects a trap. Being Bond , however , he can't resist the lure of a beautiful woman. So , flaunting danger , Bond travels to Istanbul to meet Tatiana. The centerpiece of this 007 feature is the thrilling fight to the death between Bond and enemy agent Red Grant aboard the Orient Express.

James Bond heads East to save the world (and to learn how to serve saki properly) in this action-packed espionage adventure. When an American spacecraft disappears during a mission it's widely believed to have been intercepted by the Soviet Union and after a Russian space capsule similarly goes missing most consider it to be an act of American retaliation. Soon the two nations are at the brink of war but British intelligence discovers that some sort of UFO has crashed into the Sea of Japan. Agent 007 James Bond (Sean Connery) is sent in to investigate. After staging his own death to avoid being followed Bond disguised as a Japanese civilian teams up with agent Tiger Tanaka (Tetsuro Tamba) and his beautiful associate Aki (Akiko Wakabayashi). With their help Bond learns that both the American and Russian space missions were actually scuttled by supercriminal Ernst Blofeld (Donald Pleasance) in yet another bid by his evil empire SPECTRE to take over the world. As he battles the bad guys Bond finds time to romance both Kissy Suziki (Mie Hama) and Helga Brandt (Karin Dor). You Only Live Twice was one of Sean Connery's last outings as James Bond. The next Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service would star George Lazenby as 007 and while Connery would return for Diamonds Are Forever in 1973 Roger Moore took over the role. (Connery would play Bond one last time in 1983's Never Say Never Again which was produced outside the official series.)

James Bond heads East to save the world ( and to learn how to serve saki properly ) in this action - packed espionage adventure. When an American spacecraft disappears during a mission , it's widely believed to have been intercepted by the Soviet Union , and after a Russian space capsule similarly goes missing , most consider it to be an act of American retaliation. Soon the two nations are at the brink of war , but British intelligence discovers that some sort of UFO has crashed into the Sea of Japan. Agent 007 , James Bond ( Sean Connery ) is sent in to investigate. After staging his own death to avoid being followed , Bond , disguised as a Japanese civilian , teams up with agent Tiger Tanaka ( Tetsuro Tamba ) and his beautiful associate Aki ( Akiko Wakabayashi ) . With their help , Bond learns that both the American and Russian space missions were actually scuttled by supercriminal Ernst Blofeld ( Donald Pleasance ) in yet another bid by his evil empire SPECTRE to take over the world. As he battles the bad guys , Bond finds time to romance both Kissy Suziki ( Mie Hama ) and Helga Brandt ( Karin Dor ) . You Only Live Twice was one of Sean Connery 's last outings as James Bond. The next Bond film , On Her Majesty's Secret Service , would star George Lazenby as 007 , and while Connery would return for Diamonds Are Forever , in 1973 , Roger Moore took over the role. ( Connery would play Bond one last time , in 1983's Never Say Never Again , which was produced outside the official series. )

A top-secret Soviet spy satellite -- using stolen Western technology -- malfunctions and then goes into a descent that lands it near an isolated Arctic research encampment called Ice Station Zebra belonging to the British which starts sending out distress signals before falling silent. The atomic submarine Tigerfish commanded by Cmdr. James Ferraday (Rock Hudson) is dispatched with orders to get to Ice Station Zebra carrying three passengers a Englishman going by the name of David Jones (Patrick McGoohan) a Soviet turncoat named Boris Vaslov (Ernest Borgnine) and an American Marine officer Captain Anders (Jim Brown) who is supposed to command the Marine unit assigned to the mission. Jones is problem enough as he is in command of the mission and he prefers to withhold as much information as it's possible to do from Ferraday even at the risk of the Tigerfish's safety. Add to that the fact that Anders is suspicious of Vaslov and Vaslov seems much too inquisitive and is telling even less of what he knows about the mission and Ferraday has his hands full trying to get these men to the polar ice -- 600 miles of dangerous travel -- in just two days. When an attempt to break through the ice -- coupled with some timely sabotage -- kills one man and nearly destroys the boat the men surrounding these contending parties start to understand just how high the stakes are for everyone. It turns out that the Soviets want what was aboard that satellite as much as the West does; indeed both sides are frantic to get it and just as much to keep the other side from getting it -- and they're prepared to take it by brute force. Once Ferraday and his men arrive at Zebra they find a disaster and still more mystery with most of the men dead and the object that Mr. Jones is supposed to secure nowhere in evidence and he and his two fellow men of mystery suddenly showing their killing instincts quite freely. And with the storm clearing from the Soviet side first their planes and their paratroops are closing in on Ferraday and his relative handful of men.

A top - secret Soviet spy satellite -- using stolen Western technology -- malfunctions and then goes into a descent that lands it near an isolated Arctic research encampment called Ice Station Zebra , belonging to the British , which starts sending out distress signals before falling silent. The atomic submarine Tigerfish , commanded by Cmdr. James Ferraday ( Rock Hudson ), is dispatched with orders to get to Ice Station Zebra carrying three passengers , a Englishman going by the name of David Jones ( Patrick McGoohan ), a Soviet turncoat named Boris Vaslov ( Ernest Borgnine ), and an American Marine officer , Captain Anders ( Jim Brown ), who is supposed to command the Marine unit assigned to the mission. Jones is problem enough , as he is in command of the mission and he prefers to withhold as much information as it's possible to do from Ferraday , even at the risk of the Tigerfish 's safety. Add to that the fact that Anders is suspicious of Vaslov , and Vaslov seems much too inquisitive and is telling even less of what he knows about the mission , and Ferraday has his hands full trying to get these men to the polar ice -- 600 miles of dangerous travel -- in just two days. When an attempt to break through the ice -- coupled with some timely sabotage -- kills one man and nearly destroys the boat , the men surrounding these contending parties start to understand just how high the stakes are for everyone. It turns out that the Soviets want what was aboard that satellite as much as the West does ; indeed , both sides are frantic to get it , and , just as much , to keep the other side from getting it -- and they're prepared to take it by brute force. Once Ferraday and his men arrive at Zebra , they find a disaster and still more mystery , with most of the men dead and the object that Mr. Jones is supposed to secure nowhere in evidence , and he and his two fellow men of mystery suddenly showing their killing instincts quite freely. And with the storm clearing from the Soviet side first , their planes and their paratroops are closing in on Ferraday , and his relative handful of men.

John Schlesinger directed this fact-based drama - adapted from Robert Lindsay's bestseller of the same title -- about two Californians friends since boyhood who are caught selling government secrets to the Soviet Union. Christopher Boyce (Timothy Hutton) is an all-American boy studying for the priesthood in a seminary. But Boyce decides to drop out of school and with the help of his father (Pat Hingle) a FBI agent he gets a job working for the CIA in a message-routing center. While reading the messages Boyce is shocked to learn that the CIA is involved in fixing Australian elections. Watching the Watergate hearings on television he feels an ever-mounting sense of outrage at the arrogance of the U.S. government and decides to do something about it. Deciding to supply the CIA messages to the Russians he enlists his childhood friend Daulton Lee (Sean Penn) to help him. Lee is to deliver the CIA secrets to a Russian operative (David Suchet) at the Soviet Embassy in Mexico City. But Lee is an unreliable drug dealer and his sloppy spy trail leads the two old friends into more trouble than they bargained for.

John Schlesinger directed this fact - based drama - adapted from Robert Lindsay 's bestseller of the same title -- about two Californians , friends since boyhood , who are caught selling government secrets to the Soviet Union. Christopher Boyce ( Timothy Hutton ) is an all - American boy , studying for the priesthood in a seminary. But Boyce decides to drop out of school , and with the help of his father ( Pat Hingle ), a FBI agent , he gets a job working for the CIA in a message - routing center. While reading the messages , Boyce is shocked to learn that the CIA is involved in fixing Australian elections. Watching the Watergate hearings on television , he feels an ever - mounting sense of outrage at the arrogance of the U.S. government and decides to do something about it. Deciding to supply the CIA messages to the Russians , he enlists his childhood friend Daulton Lee ( Sean Penn ) to help him. Lee is to deliver the CIA secrets to a Russian operative ( David Suchet ) at the Soviet Embassy in Mexico City. But Lee is an unreliable drug dealer , and his sloppy spy trail leads the two old friends into more trouble than they bargained for.

Terence Young directed this first of a long line of screen adventures with Ian Fleming's unflappable British Secret Service Agent 007 in a fast-paced tongue-in-cheek style that set the tone for the rest of the popular series. Sean Connery sets the standard by which all future takers must measure themselves as the insouciant and devil-may-care James Bond. The story concerns Bond being sent to Jamaica to investigate the murders of a British agent and his secretary. During his investigation he comes into contact with the evil and unscrupulous Chinese scientist Dr. No (Joseph Wiseman) who living on an island called Crab Key is hard at work in a nuclear laboratory. Dr. No's scheme is to divert rockets being fired from Cape Canaveral off their charted course and to blackmail the United States to get their rocket launches restored to normal. Helping Bond is Ursula Andress (mostly undressed in a bikini throughout most of the film) as well as bad gals like Zena Marshall who almost leads Bond to his death in her bedroom and Eunice Gayson a Bond pickup in a London gambling house who proves herself a greater adversary than even James Bond can handle.

Terence Young directed this first of a long line of screen adventures with Ian Fleming 's unflappable British Secret Service Agent 007 in a fast - paced , tongue - in - cheek style that set the tone for the rest of the popular series. Sean Connery sets the standard by which all future takers must measure themselves as the insouciant and devil - may - care James Bond. The story concerns Bond being sent to Jamaica to investigate the murders of a British agent and his secretary. During his investigation , he comes into contact with the evil and unscrupulous Chinese scientist Dr. No ( Joseph Wiseman ) who , living on an island called Crab Key , is hard at work in a nuclear laboratory. Dr. No's scheme is to divert rockets being fired from Cape Canaveral off their charted course and to blackmail the United States to get their rocket launches restored to normal. Helping Bond is Ursula Andress ( mostly undressed in a bikini throughout most of the film ), as well as bad gals like Zena Marshall , who almost leads Bond to his death in her bedroom , and Eunice Gayson , a Bond pickup in a London gambling house who proves herself a greater adversary than even James Bond can handle.

Set amidst the controversy of the handover of the Panama Canal from America to Panama in late 1999 this espionage thriller follows seductive British spy Andrew Osnard (Pierce Brosnan) who has found himself recently banished to Panama. When Osnard stumbles into a tailor shop he meets Harry Pendel (Geoffrey Rush) a garrulous sort with an unmatched penchant for "fluence" -- that is fabricating wild tales with real-life details. Osnard threatens to expose his shady past until Pendel agrees to provide him with information about the political situation in Panama. Pendel's wife Louisa (Jamie Lee Curtis) tries to remain unscathed by her husband's constant follies which escalate and put him in the midst of international discord while also threatening the shaky relationship between himself and Osnard who cannot escape each other's grasp. Based on John le Carré's popular 1996 novel the film also features Catherine McCormack David Hayman and young Daniel Radcliffe who completed this film before his starring role in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone released later in the year.

Set amidst the controversy of the handover of the Panama Canal from America to Panama in late 1999 , this espionage thriller follows seductive British spy Andrew Osnard ( Pierce Brosnan ), who has found himself recently banished to Panama. When Osnard stumbles into a tailor shop , he meets Harry Pendel ( Geoffrey Rush ), a garrulous sort with an unmatched penchant for "fluence" -- that is , fabricating wild tales with real - life details. Osnard threatens to expose his shady past , until Pendel agrees to provide him with information about the political situation in Panama. Pendel's wife Louisa ( Jamie Lee Curtis ) tries to remain unscathed by her husband's constant follies , which escalate and put him in the midst of international discord , while also threatening the shaky relationship between himself and Osnard , who cannot escape each other's grasp. Based on John le Carré's popular 1996 novel , the film also features Catherine McCormack , David Hayman , and young Daniel Radcliffe , who completed this film before his starring role in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone , released later in the year.

Though not Ian Fleming's most famous James Bond novel 1962's The Spy Who Loved Me was distinguished by the unique device of telling the story from the heroine's point of view; in fact Bond doesn't make an appearance until the book is two-thirds over. This would hardly work in the film world's Bond franchise so the original austere plotline of the novel was eschewed altogether in favor of a labyrinthine story involving outer-space extortion. The leading lady a "hard-luck kid" in the original is now sexy Russian secret agent Barbara Bach who joins forces with Bond (Roger Moore making his third appearance as 007) to foil yet another megalomaniac villain (Curt Jurgens) who plans to threaten New York City with nuclear weaponry. Beyond the eye-popping opening ski-jump sequence the film's best scenes involve seven-foot-two Richard Kiel as steel-toothed henchman Jaws. Fifteen scriptwriters worked on The Spy Who Loved Me; only two were credited including Bond-film veteran Richard Maibaum.

Though not Ian Fleming 's most famous James Bond novel , 1962's The Spy Who Loved Me was distinguished by the unique device of telling the story from the heroine's point of view ; in fact , Bond doesn't make an appearance until the book is two - thirds over. This would hardly work in the film world's Bond franchise , so the original austere plotline of the novel was eschewed altogether in favor of a labyrinthine story involving outer - space extortion. The leading lady , a "hard - luck kid" in the original , is now sexy Russian secret agent Barbara Bach , who joins forces with Bond ( Roger Moore , making his third appearance as 007 ) to foil yet another megalomaniac villain ( Curt Jurgens ), who plans to threaten New York City with nuclear weaponry. Beyond the eye - popping opening ski - jump sequence , the film's best scenes involve seven - foot - two Richard Kiel as steel - toothed henchman Jaws. Fifteen scriptwriters worked on The Spy Who Loved Me ; only two were credited , including Bond - film veteran Richard Maibaum .

"Barley" Scott Blair (Sean Connery) is an alcoholic book editor from a bargain-basement publishing house in Great Britain who'd rather be drinking in Lisbon than attending a book dealers' show in Russia. So he's surprised when a CIA agent (Mac McDonald) pulls him from his boozy holiday. It seems that the CIA has through a book show intermediary received a package from a Russian book editor named Katya (Michelle Pfeiffer) containing amazingly detailed notebooks written by a cynical Russian physicist named "Dante" (Klaus-Maria Brandauer). The notebooks show that Russia's nuclear threat is a joke: Russian rockets "suck instead of blow...and can't hit Nevada on a clear day" in the acerbic words of CIA Agent Russell Sheridan (Roy Scheider). But why is Dante sending the notebooks to Blair? How shall the Western world respond to what could be the end of the nuclear arms race? Blair gets drafted by a British Secret Service agent (James Fox) to go to the new Russia to meet Katya. He must see whether the new Russia is still immersed in the old Cold War and whether the notebooks are genuine or another deadly chapter in the war of the spies.

"Barley" Scott Blair ( Sean Connery ) is an alcoholic book editor from a bargain - basement publishing house in Great Britain who'd rather be drinking in Lisbon than attending a book dealers' show in Russia. So he's surprised when a CIA agent ( Mac McDonald ) pulls him from his boozy holiday. It seems that the CIA has through a book show intermediary received a package from a Russian book editor named Katya ( Michelle Pfeiffer ) containing amazingly detailed notebooks written by a cynical Russian physicist named "Dante" ( Klaus - Maria Brandauer ) . The notebooks show that Russia's nuclear threat is a joke : Russian rockets "suck instead of blow...and can't hit Nevada on a clear day , " in the acerbic words of CIA Agent Russell Sheridan ( Roy Scheider ) . But why is Dante sending the notebooks to Blair? How shall the Western world respond to what could be the end of the nuclear arms race? Blair gets drafted by a British Secret Service agent ( James Fox ) to go to the new Russia to meet Katya. He must see whether the new Russia is still immersed in the old Cold War and whether the notebooks are genuine or another deadly chapter in the war of the spies.

The year is 1908; after centuries of unchecked power the Ottoman empire is rapidly crumbling. As a result Turkey's secret agents--those that haven't already been eliminated by downsizing or death--operate in a vacuum their superiors knowing little and caring less about their activities. One such spy is Ben Kingsley a minor bureaucrat of no ambition. When ordered to help disreputable English citizens Charles Dance and Helen Mirren in the theft of a precious Greek artifact Kingsley goes along without question. He is even prepared to follow orders and double-cross Dance the moment the robbery is pulled off. But as the film progresses Kingsley becomes less and less of a by-the-book government functionary and more and more of an enigma--to Dance to Mirren to his country to himself. More than your usual "caper" film Pascali's Island has more layers than an artichoke.

The year is 1908 ; after centuries of unchecked power , the Ottoman empire is rapidly crumbling. As a result , Turkey's secret agents -- those that haven't already been eliminated by downsizing or death -- operate in a vacuum , their superiors knowing little and caring less about their activities. One such spy is Ben Kingsley , a minor bureaucrat of no ambition. When ordered to help disreputable English citizens Charles Dance and Helen Mirren in the theft of a precious Greek artifact , Kingsley goes along without question. He is even prepared to follow orders and double - cross Dance the moment the robbery is pulled off. But as the film progresses , Kingsley becomes less and less of a by - the - book government functionary and more and more of an enigma -- to Dance , to Mirren , to his country , to himself. More than your usual "caper" film , Pascali's Island has more layers than an artichoke.

It wasn't as well received at the box office as the pictures that preceded it or followed it but Peter Hunt's On Her Majesty's Secret Service was the finest of the James Bond movies and also arguably the last truly great movie in the series. James Bond portrayed here by George Lazenby (in his only performance in the role) has spent nearly two years trying to track down Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Telly Savalas) the head of SPECTRE. He has been taken off the case by his chief (Bernard Lee) an action the pushes him to the point of considering resigning from Her Majesty's Secret Service just as he opens a possible new avenue of attack on his quarry. Whilst in the field Bond has chanced to cross paths with the Contessa Teresa Di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg) a beautiful but desperately unhappy woman whom he rescues from one apparent suicide attempt and an embarrassing moment at a casino gaming table -- the Contessa who prefers to be called Tracy ("Teresa was a saint") is the daughter of Marc Ange Draco (Gabriele Ferzetti) an industrial and construction magnate and also a crime boss who is impressed with Bond personally as well as professionally and would like to see him marry his daughter. Bond is at first unwilling to involve himself with a woman -- any woman -- on that level but Draco's underworld contacts give Bond a vital clue to Blofeld's whereabouts that get him back on the case and hot on the man's trail. Journeying incognito to Blofeld's mountaintop retreat in the Swiss Alps Bond finds the criminal mastermind posing as a would-be nobleman and also as a philanthropist running a clinic devoted to the treatment and eradication of allergies. It's all a front for a surprisingly sinister (and scientifically valid) plot for international blackmail that would make any previous Bond villain quake in fear. And in the process of staying alive long enough to have a chance of stopping Blofeld Bond discovers the Tracy is truly like no woman he's ever known before -- one special enough that he finds himself willing to give up his life as a free-living free-loving bachelor.

It wasn't as well received at the box office as the pictures that preceded it or followed it , but Peter Hunt 's On Her Majesty's Secret Service was the finest of the James Bond movies and also arguably the last truly great movie in the series. James Bond , portrayed here by George Lazenby ( in his only performance in the role ) has spent nearly two years trying to track down Ernst Stavro Blofeld ( Telly Savalas ), the head of SPECTRE. He has been taken off the case by his chief ( Bernard Lee ), an action the pushes him to the point of considering resigning from Her Majesty's Secret Service , just as he opens a possible new avenue of attack on his quarry. Whilst in the field , Bond has chanced to cross paths with the Contessa Teresa Di Vicenzo ( Diana Rigg ), a beautiful but desperately unhappy woman , whom he rescues from one apparent suicide attempt and an embarrassing moment at a casino gaming table -- the Contessa , who prefers to be called Tracy ( "Teresa was a saint" ), is the daughter of Marc Ange Draco ( Gabriele Ferzetti ), an industrial and construction magnate and also a crime boss , who is impressed with Bond personally as well as professionally , and would like to see him marry his daughter. Bond is , at first , unwilling to involve himself with a woman -- any woman -- on that level , but Draco's underworld contacts give Bond a vital clue to Blofeld's whereabouts that get him back on the case and hot on the man's trail. Journeying incognito to Blofeld's mountaintop retreat in the Swiss Alps , Bond finds the criminal mastermind posing as a would - be nobleman and also as a philanthropist , running a clinic devoted to the treatment and eradication of allergies. It's all a front for a surprisingly sinister ( and scientifically valid ) plot for international blackmail that would make any previous Bond villain quake in fear. And in the process of staying alive long enough to have a chance of stopping Blofeld , Bond discovers the Tracy is truly like no woman he's ever known before -- one special enough that he finds himself willing to give up his life as a free - living , free - loving bachelor.

For Your Eyes Only eschews the gimmickry and campiness of earlier James Bond films concentrating instead on telling the story and maintaining suspense. Roger Moore is back as Secret Agent 007 this time on the trail of Soviet spies while he romances the beautiful Melina played by Carole Bouquet. Richard Maibaum's screenplay has very little to do with the collection of short stories that made up Ian Fleming's For Your Eyes Only save for the plotline involving Melina's seeking vengeance for the death of her father. The direction is by John Glen who'd previously done second unit work on other Bond films.

For Your Eyes Only eschews the gimmickry and campiness of earlier James Bond films , concentrating instead on telling the story and maintaining suspense. Roger Moore is back as Secret Agent 007 , this time on the trail of Soviet spies while he romances the beautiful Melina , played by Carole Bouquet . Richard Maibaum 's screenplay has very little to do with the collection of short stories that made up Ian Fleming 's For Your Eyes Only , save for the plotline involving Melina's seeking vengeance for the death of her father. The direction is by John Glen , who'd previously done second unit work on other Bond films.

After George Lazenby portrayed James Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service Sean Connery returned to the tux gimmicks and catchphrases of Secret Agent 007 in his penultimate Bond outing Diamonds Are Forever. Fragments of Ian Fleming's original 1954 novel remain including the characters of the alluring Tiffany Case (Jill St. John) and fey hitmen Wint (Bruce Glover) and Mr. Kidd (Putter Smith). The remainder of Richard Maibaum and Tom Mankiewicz's script diverges dramatically from the novel involving Bond in a scheme by the insidious Ernst Blofeld (Charles Gray) to force the world powers to disarm so that he can take over the globe. Folksinger Jimmy Dean shows up briefly as a Howard Hughes-like reclusive billionaire while Lana Wood (Natalie's sister) participates in one of the film's edgiest cliffhangers. Agreeing to make Diamonds Are Forever only because of the money offered him Sean Connery parted company with the role for 12 years after this film; he returned to the role once more in 1983 for Irvin Kershner's underrated Thunderball remake Never Say Never Again.

After George Lazenby portrayed James Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service , Sean Connery returned to the tux , gimmicks , and catchphrases of Secret Agent 007 in his penultimate Bond outing , Diamonds Are Forever . Fragments of Ian Fleming 's original 1954 novel remain , including the characters of the alluring Tiffany Case ( Jill St. John ) and fey hitmen Wint ( Bruce Glover ) and Mr. Kidd ( Putter Smith ) . The remainder of Richard Maibaum and Tom Mankiewicz 's script diverges dramatically from the novel , involving Bond in a scheme by the insidious Ernst Blofeld ( Charles Gray ) to force the world powers to disarm so that he can take over the globe. Folksinger Jimmy Dean shows up briefly as a Howard Hughes - like reclusive billionaire , while Lana Wood ( Natalie 's sister ) participates in one of the film's edgiest cliffhangers. Agreeing to make Diamonds Are Forever only because of the money offered him , Sean Connery parted company with the role for 12 years after this film ; he returned to the role once more in 1983 , for Irvin Kershner 's underrated Thunderball remake Never Say Never Again .

After he is framed for the death of several colleagues and falsely branded a traitor a secret agent embarks on a daring scheme to clear his name in this spy adventure. Though it drew its name from the familiar television series director Brian DePalma's big-budget adaptation shares little more with the original show than the occasional self-destructing message and the name of team leader Jim Phelps (Jon Voight). The film focuses not on Phelps but his protégé Ethan Hunt (a reserved Tom Cruise) who becomes a fugitive after taking the blame for a botched operation. He responds by banding together with a group of fellow renegades and he is soon maneuvering his way through a twisted series of double crosses that mainly serve as excuses for spectacular high-tech action sequences. Much of the activity revolves around a missing computer disk with the film's most famous scene depicting Hunt's delicate efforts to retrieve the disk from a secure well-alarmed room in CIA headquarters.

After he is framed for the death of several colleagues and falsely branded a traitor , a secret agent embarks on a daring scheme to clear his name in this spy adventure. Though it drew its name from the familiar television series , director Brian DePalma 's big - budget adaptation shares little more with the original show than the occasional self - destructing message and the name of team leader Jim Phelps ( Jon Voight ) . The film focuses not on Phelps but his protégé , Ethan Hunt ( a reserved Tom Cruise ), who becomes a fugitive after taking the blame for a botched operation. He responds by banding together with a group of fellow renegades , and he is soon maneuvering his way through a twisted series of double crosses that mainly serve as excuses for spectacular high - tech action sequences. Much of the activity revolves around a missing computer disk , with the film's most famous scene depicting Hunt's delicate efforts to retrieve the disk from a secure , well - alarmed room in CIA headquarters.

orrowing liberally from the French film La Totale this is an action picture domestic comedy and political thriller rolled into a crowd-pleasing ball of entertainment. Producer James Cameron wrote and directed the film. Henry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a workaholic computer salesman neglecting his mousy wife Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis) a legal secretary. Simon (Bill Paxton) seduces Helen with the lie that he is a secret agent; he's really a used car salesman. Harry suspects that Helen is cheating on him and he sends a few colleagues to kidnap them. Helen then discovers that Harry is a secret agent by night working for a shadowy group called the Omega Sector. Harry and his partner Gib (Tom Arnold) are trying to find four nuclear warheads that have disappeared from a former Soviet republic.

Borrowing liberally from the French film La Totale , this is an action picture , domestic comedy , and political thriller rolled into a crowd - pleasing ball of entertainment. Producer James Cameron wrote and directed the film. Henry Tasker ( Arnold Schwarzenegger ) is a workaholic computer salesman neglecting his mousy wife Helen ( Jamie Lee Curtis ), a legal secretary. Simon ( Bill Paxton ) seduces Helen with the lie that he is a secret agent ; he's really a used car salesman. Harry suspects that Helen is cheating on him , and he sends a few colleagues to kidnap them. Helen then discovers that Harry is a secret agent by night , working for a shadowy group called the Omega Sector. Harry and his partner Gib ( Tom Arnold ) are trying to find four nuclear warheads that have disappeared from a former Soviet republic.

Julie Andrews made a bid to change her squeaky clean image with this elaborately mounted World War I musical. Lili Smith (Andrews) is a popular British music hall singer who is regarded as a femme fatale and has been known to throw a bit of striptease into her act. However Lili has a secret: she's actually a German spy and the uncle she dotes upon is really Von Ruger (Jeremy Kemp) a fellow espionage agent and her contact for the Huns. In hopes of gaining valuable information Lili begins using her feminine wiles on Maj. William Larrabee (Rock Hudson) a top American pilot. However Lili soon discovers that she's falling in love with Larrabee and can't find the courage to betray him; Larrabee discovers Lili's secret but he refuses to turn her in. Darling Lili was a notorious box-office disappointment grossing a mere $5 million on a budget that rose to $25 million due to a variety of production mishaps. Director Blake Edwards (Andrews' husband) was stung by the poor reception and he later trimmed the 136-minute film to 114 minutes downplaying its comic elements in favor of a more serious tone.

Julie Andrews made a bid to change her squeaky clean image with this elaborately mounted World War I musical. Lili Smith ( Andrews ) is a popular British music hall singer who is regarded as a femme fatale and has been known to throw a bit of striptease into her act. However , Lili has a secret : she's actually a German spy , and the uncle she dotes upon is really Von Ruger ( Jeremy Kemp ), a fellow espionage agent and her contact for the Huns. In hopes of gaining valuable information , Lili begins using her feminine wiles on Maj. William Larrabee ( Rock Hudson ), a top American pilot. However , Lili soon discovers that she's falling in love with Larrabee and can't find the courage to betray him ; Larrabee discovers Lili's secret , but he refuses to turn her in. Darling Lili was a notorious box - office disappointment , grossing a mere $5 million on a budget that rose to $25 million due to a variety of production mishaps. Director Blake Edwards ( Andrews ' husband ) was stung by the poor reception , and he later trimmed the 136 - minute film to 114 minutes , downplaying its comic elements in favor of a more serious tone.

Roger Moore took a brief vacation from playing James Bond in this witty adventure drama. Rufus Excalibur ffolkes (Moore) who for some reason prefers not to capitalize his last name is a scuba-diving adventurer for hire with a sharp mind a quick wit a fondness for cats and a certain distrust of women. When terrorist Lou Kramer (Anthony Perkins) takes over an oil drilling platform in the North Sea and threatens to blow it sky high if his demands are not met ffolkes is called in by Admiral Brinsden (James Mason) to foil Kramer's scheme before it's too late. ffolkes also released as North Sea Hijack and Assault Force was based on the novel Esther Ruth and Jennifer by Jack Davies who also penned the screenplay ("Esther Ruth and Jennifer" incidentally are the code names for the ship drilling rig and platform seized by Kramer in the film).

Roger Moore took a brief vacation from playing James Bond in this witty adventure drama. Rufus Excalibur ffolkes ( Moore ), who for some reason prefers not to capitalize his last name , is a scuba - diving adventurer for hire with a sharp mind , a quick wit , a fondness for cats , and a certain distrust of women. When terrorist Lou Kramer ( Anthony Perkins ) takes over an oil drilling platform in the North Sea and threatens to blow it sky high if his demands are not met , ffolkes is called in by Admiral Brinsden ( James Mason ) to foil Kramer's scheme before it's too late. ffolkes , also released as North Sea Hijack and Assault Force , was based on the novel Esther , Ruth , and Jennifer by Jack Davies , who also penned the screenplay ( "Esther , Ruth , and Jennifer , " incidentally , are the code names for the ship , drilling rig , and platform seized by Kramer in the film ) .

Thunderball finds James Bond matching wits with the sinister espionage organization S.P.E.C.T.R.E (which stands for Special Executive for Counterintelligence Terrorism Revenge and Extortion). This time S.P.E.C.T.R.E. hijacks a NATO nuclear bomber hiding the bombs under the ocean depths and threatening to detonate the weapons unless a ransom of 100000000 pounds is paid. The mastermind behind this scheme is international business executive Emilio Largo (Adolfo Celi) who maintains a pool full of sharks for the purpose of eliminating enemies and those henchmen who fail to come up to standard. Dispatched to the Bahamas lucky Mr. Bond enjoys the attentions of three nubile ladies: Largo's mistress Domino Derval (Claudine Auger) British spy Paula Caplan (Martine Beswick previously seen as a gypsy girl in the 1962 Bond epic From Russia With Love) and enemy agent Fiona Volpe (Luciana Paluzzi).

Thunderball finds James Bond matching wits with the sinister espionage organization S.P.E.C.T.R.E , ( which stands for Special Executive for Counterintelligence , Terrorism , Revenge and Extortion ) . This time , S.P.E.C.T.R.E. hijacks a NATO nuclear bomber , hiding the bombs under the ocean depths and threatening to detonate the weapons unless a ransom of 100 , 000 , 000 pounds is paid. The mastermind behind this scheme is international business executive Emilio Largo ( Adolfo Celi ), who maintains a pool full of sharks for the purpose of eliminating enemies and those henchmen who fail to come up to standard. Dispatched to the Bahamas , lucky Mr. Bond enjoys the attentions of three nubile ladies : Largo's mistress Domino Derval ( Claudine Auger ), British spy Paula Caplan ( Martine Beswick , previously seen as a gypsy girl in the 1962 Bond epic From Russia With Love ) and enemy agent Fiona Volpe ( Luciana Paluzzi ) .

Arthur Penn takes a crack at subverting the espionage film genre in Target. Walter Lloyd (Gene Hackman) is a quiet and unassuming lumberyard owner in Dallas Texas. Chris (Matt Dillon) has dropped out of college to pursue a career as a race car driver. But all mundane tasks come to an end when Walter's wife Donna (Gayle Hunnicutt) is kidnapped while on a European trip. Walter flies to Paris with Chris to see what can be done. Once in Europe Chris is shocked to discover that his dad was once a top CIA agent. Together the two visit all of Walter's old CIA contacts in an effort to locate Donna. Finally Walter discovers that Donna has been kidnapped by a rogue spy seeking revenge for an incident that happened eighteen years earlier. Now Walter must apply his old and vicious CIA tricks to save his wife from an old and vicious CIA operative.

Arthur Penn takes a crack at subverting the espionage film genre in Target . Walter Lloyd ( Gene Hackman ) is a quiet and unassuming lumberyard owner in Dallas , Texas. Chris ( Matt Dillon ) has dropped out of college to pursue a career as a race car driver. But all mundane tasks come to an end when Walter's wife Donna ( Gayle Hunnicutt ) is kidnapped while on a European trip. Walter flies to Paris with Chris to see what can be done. Once in Europe , Chris is shocked to discover that his dad was once a top CIA agent. Together , the two visit all of Walter's old CIA contacts in an effort to locate Donna. Finally , Walter discovers that Donna has been kidnapped by a rogue spy seeking revenge for an incident that happened eighteen years earlier. Now Walter must apply his old and vicious CIA tricks to save his wife from an old and vicious CIA operative.

This big-budget big-studio espionage film is set in the last years of World War II. George Peppard Tom Courtenay and Jeremy Kemp parachute into Germany with orders to destroy the Nazis' V-1 rocket base at Peenemunde. Given the order of billing guess which special operative survives the longest. This being an MGM production Peppard has time to commiserate with Sophia Loren the wife of the Nazi collaborator whom Peppard is pretending to be. If you're wondering about the film's outcome remember who won the war. Operation Crossbow failed badly in its first release; MGM deciding that the title misled moviegoers into thinking that the picture was a "Robin Hood" derivation cleared up matters by renaming the film The Great Spy Mission.

This big - budget , big - studio espionage film is set in the last years of World War II. George Peppard , Tom Courtenay and Jeremy Kemp parachute into Germany , with orders to destroy the Nazis' V - 1 rocket base at Peenemunde. Given the order of billing , guess which special operative survives the longest. This being an MGM production , Peppard has time to commiserate with Sophia Loren , the wife of the Nazi collaborator whom Peppard is pretending to be. If you're wondering about the film's outcome , remember who won the war. Operation Crossbow failed badly in its first release ; MGM , deciding that the title misled moviegoers into thinking that the picture was a "Robin Hood" derivation , cleared up matters by renaming the film The Great Spy Mission .

John Huston directed this cold war spy thriller (from a script by Walter Hill) concerning a British agent trying infiltrate the organization of a nefarious communist spy. Paul Newman is Joseph Reardon a British secret agent commissioned by Mackintosh (Harry Andrews) to impersonate a jewel thief. When the police are tipped off about his diamond robbery Reardon is arrested and shipped off to a high-security prison. At the prison he meets a convicted Russian spy and the two are involved in a prison break arranged by a mysterious group called the Scarperers. After the successful breakout Reardon finds himself drugged and sent to Ireland. It turns out that the escapade was organized by Mackintosh in the hopes Reardon could infiltrate the Scarperers and gather information on the group's leader Sir George Wheeler (James Mason) and prove him to be a Russian spy.

John Huston directed this cold war spy thriller ( from a script by Walter Hill ) concerning a British agent trying infiltrate the organization of a nefarious communist spy. Paul Newman is Joseph Reardon , a British secret agent commissioned by Mackintosh ( Harry Andrews ) to impersonate a jewel thief. When the police are tipped off about his diamond robbery , Reardon is arrested and shipped off to a high - security prison. At the prison , he meets a convicted Russian spy and the two are involved in a prison break , arranged by a mysterious group called the Scarperers. After the successful breakout , Reardon finds himself drugged and sent to Ireland. It turns out that the escapade was organized by Mackintosh in the hopes Reardon could infiltrate the Scarperers and gather information on the group's leader , Sir George Wheeler ( James Mason ), and prove him to be a Russian spy.

ased on John Le Carré's novel by the same name this story about Charlie (Diane Keaton) a female double agent working between the Palestinians and Israelis loses some of the excitement and in-depth characterization engendered by the long novel -- mainly because the novel is hard to capture in a two-hour filmed format. But the action itself carries viewers along as Charlie ends up leaving England and her job as an actress in a Brit repertory company to meet Kurtz (Klaus Kinski) in Greece who recruits her as a spy. Charlie later has to handle her own emotions when she gets romantically involved with her Israeli contact (Yorgo Voyagis) though events move her quickly along to a Palestinian military camp near Beirut. Once she has passed herself off as a reliable Palestinian agent and completed her military training at the camp she goes to Germany to hunt down a Palestinian terrorist (Sami Frey). Filled with a multitude of characters and locations not to mention camera shots the intensity of this story is dissipated somewhat by literally and figuratively covering a lot of territory though the thread of the story itself is never lost.

Based on John Le Carré 's novel by the same name , this story about Charlie ( Diane Keaton ) a female double agent working between the Palestinians and Israelis , loses some of the excitement and in - depth characterization engendered by the long novel -- mainly because the novel is hard to capture in a two - hour filmed format. But the action itself carries viewers along as Charlie ends up leaving England and her job as an actress in a Brit repertory company to meet Kurtz ( Klaus Kinski ) in Greece who recruits her as a spy. Charlie later has to handle her own emotions when she gets romantically involved with her Israeli contact ( Yorgo Voyagis ), though events move her quickly along to a Palestinian military camp near Beirut. Once she has passed herself off as a reliable Palestinian agent and completed her military training at the camp , she goes to Germany to hunt down a Palestinian terrorist ( Sami Frey ) . Filled with a multitude of characters and locations , not to mention camera shots , the intensity of this story is dissipated somewhat by literally and figuratively covering a lot of territory , though the thread of the story itself is never lost.

"Gotcha!" is a puerile but popular campus game at UCLA in which students stalk one another armed with paint-spewing pellet guns. Veterinary student Anthony Edwards may not be any great shakes in the classroom but he's a whiz at Gotcha. His skills come in handy when Edwards on vacation in Paris becomes acquainted with the mysterious Linda Fiorentino. She gets him mixed up in international espionage; fortunately the well-armed spies aren't quite as adept at "Gotcha" as Edwards is. Most of the film was lensed in Paris and Berlin.

"Gotcha!" is a puerile but popular campus game at UCLA in which students stalk one another armed with paint - spewing pellet guns. Veterinary student Anthony Edwards may not be any great shakes in the classroom , but he's a whiz at Gotcha. His skills come in handy when Edwards , on vacation in Paris , becomes acquainted with the mysterious Linda Fiorentino . She gets him mixed up in international espionage ; fortunately , the well - armed spies aren't quite as adept at "Gotcha" as Edwards is. Most of the film was lensed in Paris and Berlin.

Scripted by Frederick Forsyth from his own novel The Fourth Protocol is a fact-based spy thriller. The titular protocol is a secret agreement between America Britain and Russia to cease smuggling nuclear weapons into their respective countries. This figures into the schemes of several rogue spies who hope to destroy NATO by embarking on just such a smuggling endeavor. Russian agent Valeri Petrofsky (Pierce Brosnan) is ordered to stage a nuclear accident in England then arrange the evidence to point to the Americans. British intelligence agent John Preston (Michael Caine) begins wondering why such nuclear-weapon components like lithium are showing up in the unlikeliest places. Ignored by his superiors who figure that Preston is merely an old-line anti-Commie paranoic Preston gathers the clues that will enable him to find out who's behind the potential breaking of The Fourth Protocol.

Scripted by Frederick Forsyth from his own novel , The Fourth Protocol is a fact - based spy thriller. The titular protocol is a secret agreement between America , Britain and Russia to cease smuggling nuclear weapons into their respective countries. This figures into the schemes of several rogue spies , who hope to destroy NATO by embarking on just such a smuggling endeavor. Russian agent Valeri Petrofsky ( Pierce Brosnan ) is ordered to stage a nuclear accident in England , then arrange the evidence to point to the Americans. British intelligence agent John Preston ( Michael Caine ) begins wondering why such nuclear - weapon components like lithium are showing up in the unlikeliest places. Ignored by his superiors , who figure that Preston is merely an old - line anti - Commie paranoic , Preston gathers the clues that will enable him to find out who's behind the potential breaking of The Fourth Protocol.

Having already been seen spying for the Nazis in 1979's The Eagle Has Landed Donald Sutherland once more infiltrates wartime England on behalf of Der Fuhrer in Eye of the Needle. Willing to kill even the most innocent of bystanders to complete his task Sutherland manages to remain in Britain until the eve of D-Day in 1944. Discovering that the invasion is to take place on Normandy Sutherland scurries to rendezvous with a U-boat off the treacherous Isle of Storms. His mission is thwarted by Kate Nelligan the frustrated wife of paralyzed RAF commander Christopher Cazenove. Though having fallen in love with Sutherland Nelligan nonetheless prepares to turn the man in when he kills her husband. Tension mounts in the closing scene as Sutherland races against time to (a) make contact with the U-boat and (b) stop Nelligan before she blows the whistle on him.

Having already been seen spying for the Nazis in 1979's The Eagle Has Landed , Donald Sutherland once more infiltrates wartime England on behalf of Der Fuhrer in Eye of the Needle . Willing to kill even the most innocent of bystanders to complete his task , Sutherland manages to remain in Britain until the eve of D - Day in 1944. Discovering that the invasion is to take place on Normandy , Sutherland scurries to rendezvous with a U - boat off the treacherous Isle of Storms. His mission is thwarted by Kate Nelligan , the frustrated wife of paralyzed RAF commander Christopher Cazenove . Though having fallen in love with Sutherland , Nelligan nonetheless prepares to turn the man in when he kills her husband. Tension mounts in the closing scene as Sutherland races against time to ( a ) make contact with the U - boat and ( b ) stop Nelligan before she blows the whistle on him.

John Sturges directed this taut adaptation of Jack Higgins' suspense novel about an attempted kidnapping of Winston Churchill by the German high command during World War II. When it is discovered that in November 1943 Winston Churchill is scheduled to spend a weekend in a country home in Norfolk the Germans plan to kidnap him. Heinrich Himmler (Donald Pleasence) under orders from Hitler assigns Nazi colonel Max Radl (Robert Duvall) the chore of sneaking the English-hating Irishman Liam Devlin (Donald Sutherland) into the British countryside and arranging for a 16-man task force to be parachuted into the English country town of Sudley Constable under the auspices of Colonel Kurt Steiner (Michael Caine). The efficient planning works too well and before long their exactingly perfect timetable begins to come apart.

John Sturges directed this taut adaptation of Jack Higgins' suspense novel about an attempted kidnapping of Winston Churchill by the German high command during World War II. When it is discovered that in November 1943 Winston Churchill is scheduled to spend a weekend in a country home in Norfolk , the Germans plan to kidnap him. Heinrich Himmler ( Donald Pleasence ), under orders from Hitler , assigns Nazi colonel Max Radl ( Robert Duvall ) the chore of sneaking the English - hating Irishman Liam Devlin ( Donald Sutherland ) into the British countryside and arranging for a 16 - man task force to be parachuted into the English country town of Sudley Constable , under the auspices of Colonel Kurt Steiner ( Michael Caine ) . The efficient planning works too well , and before long their exactingly perfect timetable begins to come apart.

The true story of a major breakthrough in intelligence technology created during World War II provides the backdrop for this blend of mystery romance and espionage based on the novel by Robert Harris. Tom Jericho (Dougray Scott) is a gifted mathematician who is working with the British government on the development and maintenance of the Enigma machine an electronic device that allows Allied intelligence agents to decode scrambled messages sent by Germany military officers. But the emotionally fragile Jericho is buckling under both the pressure of his work and the collapse of his relationship with Claire Romilly (Saffron Burrows) a co-worker with whom he's fallen deeply in love. After suffering a minor breakdown Jericho is sent on a leave of absence but when he returns to work a crisis awaits: it seems the Germans have instituted a new code that the Enigma is not yet able to crack and Jericho is needed to help unravel Axis communiqués before an important convoy of troops and materiel sets sail. It is also suspected that a German undercover agent has infiltrated the Enigma project and Wigram (Jeremy Northam) is determined to ferret them out. In the midst of all this Jericho receives troubling news that Claire has gone missing -- and that a file of German messages waiting to be decoded was found at her home. As Jericho works against the clock to crack the new German code he forms an initially uneasy alliance with Hester Wallace (Kate Winslet) Claire's roommate and a fellow member of the Enigma project as they try to discover Claire's whereabouts. Enigma was co-produced by Mick Jagger who has a keen interest in the history of the real-life Enigma project and even owns one of the original Enigma decoding machines.

The true story of a major breakthrough in intelligence technology created during World War II provides the backdrop for this blend of mystery , romance , and espionage , based on the novel by Robert Harris . Tom Jericho ( Dougray Scott ) is a gifted mathematician who is working with the British government on the development and maintenance of the Enigma machine , an electronic device that allows Allied intelligence agents to decode scrambled messages sent by Germany military officers. But the emotionally fragile Jericho is buckling under both the pressure of his work and the collapse of his relationship with Claire Romilly ( Saffron Burrows ), a co - worker with whom he's fallen deeply in love. After suffering a minor breakdown , Jericho is sent on a leave of absence , but when he returns to work , a crisis awaits : it seems the Germans have instituted a new code that the Enigma is not yet able to crack , and Jericho is needed to help unravel Axis communiqués before an important convoy of troops and materiel sets sail. It is also suspected that a German undercover agent has infiltrated the Enigma project , and Wigram ( Jeremy Northam ) is determined to ferret them out. In the midst of all this , Jericho receives troubling news that Claire has gone missing -- and that a file of German messages waiting to be decoded was found at her home. As Jericho works against the clock to crack the new German code , he forms an initially uneasy alliance with Hester Wallace ( Kate Winslet ), Claire's roommate and a fellow member of the Enigma project , as they try to discover Claire's whereabouts. Enigma was co - produced by Mick Jagger , who has a keen interest in the history of the real - life Enigma project , and even owns one of the original Enigma decoding machines.

James Bond the world's greatest secret agent is sent once more into the breach in the name of Queen Country and a dry martini. In the 19th Bond adventure 007 (Pierce Brosnan) must resolve a potentially deadly power struggle between two unstable nations with control of the world's oil supply as the ultimate prize. Bond is assigned as bodyguard to Elektra King (Sophie Marceau) the daughter of a petroleum magnate who was brutally murdered and is trying to foil the fiendish plot of Renard (Robert Carlyle) a villain who was shot in the head with an unusual result: he cannot feel physical pain an apparent failing that proves to be a considerable asset. Denise Richards appears as Dr. Christmas Jones an expert on nuclear weapons alongside Desmond Llewelyn as Q Judi Dench as M Samantha Bond as Miss Moneypenny and John Cleese as R. Alternative rock band Garbage performs the theme song.

James Bond , the world's greatest secret agent , is sent once more into the breach in the name of Queen , Country , and a dry martini. In the 19th Bond adventure , 007 ( Pierce Brosnan ) must resolve a potentially deadly power struggle between two unstable nations , with control of the world's oil supply as the ultimate prize. Bond is assigned as bodyguard to Elektra King ( Sophie Marceau ), the daughter of a petroleum magnate who was brutally murdered , and is trying to foil the fiendish plot of Renard ( Robert Carlyle ), a villain who was shot in the head with an unusual result : he cannot feel physical pain , an apparent failing that proves to be a considerable asset. Denise Richards appears as Dr. Christmas Jones , an expert on nuclear weapons , alongside Desmond Llewelyn as Q , Judi Dench as M , Samantha Bond as Miss Moneypenny , and John Cleese as R. Alternative rock band Garbage performs the theme song.

Hong Kong director John Woo's second U.S. film (his first was Hard Target) delivers a number of exciting action sequences but is let down by a credibility-straining plot. John Travolta plays Vic Deakins an Air Force pilot on what is supposed to be a routine night flight mission with his co-pilot the younger Riley Hale (Christian Slater) whom Deakins constantly kids for lacking the "will to win." Deakins is actually a traitor who crashlands their Stealth Bomber in Death Valley so that he can steal two nuclear warheads onboard and sell them to terrorists who plan to blackmail the government. Deakins meets up with his cohorts who have been waiting in the park while Hale survives and teams up with a young attractive park ranger (Samantha Mathis) to foil Deakins's plans. Plenty of action ensues with car chases collapsing mine shafts fights on burning trains and even the underground detonation of a nuclear device. Despite the script's implausibilities and inconsistencies Woo amply displays the expertise with action sequences and man-to-man conflict that has made his Hong Kong films cult favorites.

Hong Kong director John Woo 's second U.S. film ( his first was Hard Target ) delivers a number of exciting action sequences but is let down by a credibility - straining plot. John Travolta plays Vic Deakins , an Air Force pilot on what is supposed to be a routine night flight mission with his co - pilot , the younger Riley Hale ( Christian Slater ), whom Deakins constantly kids for lacking the "will to win." Deakins is actually a traitor who crashlands their Stealth Bomber in Death Valley so that he can steal two nuclear warheads onboard and sell them to terrorists who plan to blackmail the government. Deakins meets up with his cohorts , who have been waiting in the park , while Hale survives and teams up with a young , attractive park ranger ( Samantha Mathis ) to foil Deakins's plans. Plenty of action ensues , with car chases , collapsing mine shafts , fights on burning trains , and even the underground detonation of a nuclear device. Despite the script's implausibilities and inconsistencies , Woo amply displays the expertise with action sequences and man - to - man conflict that has made his Hong Kong films cult favorites.

Pierce Brosnan made his first appearance as James Bond in this action thriller the 17th in the series (excluding the 1967 Casino Royale and the 1983 Never Say Never Again) featuring the suave British super-agent. As the story begins Agent 007 and his partner Agent 006 (Sean Bean) pull a daring raid on a chemical weapons plant in the Soviet Union; however they are captured by Russian troops and while Bond is able to escape 006 is not so lucky. Several years later the Soviet Union and the Cold War are a thing of the past but Bond is still at work ferreting out evildoers everywhere. Xenia Onatopp (Famke Janssen) a beautiful but vicious villain working with the Russian Mafia spearheads the theft of the controls to GoldenEye a high-tech satellite weapons system and with her gunmen she kills most of the soldiers and guards at a top-secret military facility in the process. Bond joins forces with Natalya Simonova (Izabella Scorupco) one of the base's few survivors to help track down Onatopp's minions and the controls to GoldenEye which can destroy all electronic circuits in a given area in a matter of seconds; however in time Bond discovers the true identity of the criminal mastermind who is behind this bid for unholy power and world domination -- none other than Alec Trevelyan the man Bond once knew as 006. In addition to Brosnan GoldenEye also marked another significant cast change for the Bond series -- Judi Dench made her debut as M Bond's superior. Minnie Driver also has a cameo as a nightclub singer. Sadly this was the last film in the Bond series for special-effects supervisor Derek Meddings who died in the midst of production; the film was dedicated to him.

Pierce Brosnan made his first appearance as James Bond in this action thriller , the 17th in the series ( excluding the 1967 Casino Royale and the 1983 Never Say Never Again ) featuring the suave British super - agent. As the story begins , Agent 007 and his partner , Agent 006 ( Sean Bean ), pull a daring raid on a chemical weapons plant in the Soviet Union ; however , they are captured by Russian troops , and while Bond is able to escape , 006 is not so lucky. Several years later , the Soviet Union and the Cold War are a thing of the past , but Bond is still at work ferreting out evildoers everywhere. Xenia Onatopp ( Famke Janssen ), a beautiful but vicious villain working with the Russian Mafia , spearheads the theft of the controls to GoldenEye , a high - tech satellite weapons system , and with her gunmen , she kills most of the soldiers and guards at a top - secret military facility in the process. Bond joins forces with Natalya Simonova ( Izabella Scorupco ), one of the base's few survivors , to help track down Onatopp's minions and the controls to GoldenEye , which can destroy all electronic circuits in a given area in a matter of seconds ; however , in time , Bond discovers the true identity of the criminal mastermind who is behind this bid for unholy power and world domination -- none other than Alec Trevelyan , the man Bond once knew as 006. In addition to Brosnan , GoldenEye also marked another significant cast change for the Bond series -- Judi Dench made her debut as M , Bond's superior. Minnie Driver also has a cameo as a nightclub singer. Sadly , this was the last film in the Bond series for special - effects supervisor Derek Meddings , who died in the midst of production ; the film was dedicated to him.

Secret Agent 007 must stop a megalomaniacal technology mogul from destroying Silicon Valley in this unexceptional entry in the James Bond series. Computer baron Max Zorin (Christopher Walken) is planning to trigger a major California earthquake in order to wipe out his competitors. Bond is assigned to stop him but first he must do battle with Zorin's statuesque partner in crime May Day (Grace Jones). The expected high-wire confrontations ensue as Bond battles the villains at international landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and takes the occasional break to romance an attractive geologist. Unfortunately nothing fresh is brought to the familiar formula and even the well-staged action sequences prove less than exciting. Indeed this otherwise by-the-numbers production is most notable for the fact that it marked the final appearance of Roger Moore as the dashing Bond.

Secret Agent 007 must stop a megalomaniacal technology mogul from destroying Silicon Valley in this unexceptional entry in the James Bond series. Computer baron Max Zorin ( Christopher Walken ) is planning to trigger a major California earthquake in order to wipe out his competitors. Bond is assigned to stop him , but first he must do battle with Zorin's statuesque partner in crime , May Day ( Grace Jones ) . The expected high - wire confrontations ensue , as Bond battles the villains at international landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and takes the occasional break to romance an attractive geologist. Unfortunately , nothing fresh is brought to the familiar formula , and even the well - staged action sequences prove less than exciting. Indeed , this otherwise by - the - numbers production is most notable for the fact that it marked the final appearance of Roger Moore as the dashing Bond.

Don Siegel took over the directing chores from Peter Hyams on this taut cold war action film based on the novel by Walter Wager. With the cold war between the United States and the Soviet Union thawing old KGB hard-liner Nicolai Dalchimsky (Donald Pleasence) activates a group of Americans who were brainwashed twenty years earlier to blow up United States defenses when a passage from a Robert Frost poem is recited to them. When bombs go off at an abandoned United States defense installation the Kremlin realizes that they have a rogue KGB agent on their hands who is trying to re-ignite the cold war. To stop him the Russians send out KGB agent Grigori Borzov (Charles Bronson). Accompanying him is KGB double agent Barbara (Lee Remick). As the two agents try to stop Nicolai from starting World War III they find time to fall in love with each other.

Don Siegel took over the directing chores from Peter Hyams on this taut cold war action film , based on the novel by Walter Wager. With the cold war between the United States and the Soviet Union thawing , old KGB hard - liner Nicolai Dalchimsky ( Donald Pleasence ) activates a group of Americans who were brainwashed twenty years earlier to blow up United States defenses when a passage from a Robert Frost poem is recited to them. When bombs go off at an abandoned United States defense installation , the Kremlin realizes that they have a rogue KGB agent on their hands who is trying to re - ignite the cold war. To stop him , the Russians send out KGB agent Grigori Borzov ( Charles Bronson ) . Accompanying him is KGB double agent Barbara ( Lee Remick ) . As the two agents try to stop Nicolai from starting World War III , they find time to fall in love with each other.

lake Edwards's stylish direction bolsters this Cold War romance starring Julie Andrews and Omar Sharif. Andrews plays Judith Farrow a British civil service functionary who meets dashing Russian agent Feodor Sverdlov (Omar Sharif) under the romantic skies of the Caribbean. The Caribbean breezes work their magic and soon Judith is head-over-heels in love with Feodor. Feodor then tries to enlist Judith to become an agent for the Soviet Union. But after Judith is warned by the British government to stay away from him Feodor decides that he'd rather have her than the Soviet Union. However a kink is thrown into their love affair when an undercover Russian secret agent posing as a British agent decides to eradicate the two lovers.

Blake Edwards 's stylish direction bolsters this Cold War romance starring Julie Andrews and Omar Sharif . Andrews plays Judith Farrow , a British civil service functionary who meets dashing Russian agent Feodor Sverdlov ( Omar Sharif ) under the romantic skies of the Caribbean. The Caribbean breezes work their magic and soon Judith is head - over - heels in love with Feodor. Feodor then tries to enlist Judith to become an agent for the Soviet Union. But after Judith is warned by the British government to stay away from him , Feodor decides that he'd rather have her than the Soviet Union. However , a kink is thrown into their love affair when an undercover Russian secret agent , posing as a British agent , decides to eradicate the two lovers.

This (13th) time around "007" receives the usual call to come and visit "Mother" when another agent drops off a fake Faberge jeweled egg at the British embassy in East Berlin and is later killed at a traveling circus. Suspicions mount when the assistant manager of the circus Kamal (Louis Jourdan) outbids Bond for the real Faberge piece at Sotheby's. Bond follows Kamal to India where the superspy thwarts many an ingenious attack and encounters the antiheroine of the title (Maud Adams) an international smuggler who runs the circus as a cover for her illegal operations. It does not take long to figure out that Orlov (Steven Berkoff) a decidedly rank Russian general is planning to raise enough money with the fake Faberges to detonate a nuclear bomb in Europe and then defeat NATO forces once and for all in conventional warfare.

This ( 13th ) time around , "007" receives the usual call to come and visit "Mother" when another agent drops off a fake Faberge jeweled egg at the British embassy in East Berlin and is later killed at a traveling circus. Suspicions mount when the assistant manager of the circus Kamal ( Louis Jourdan ), outbids Bond for the real Faberge piece at Sotheby's. Bond follows Kamal to India where the superspy thwarts many an ingenious attack and encounters the antiheroine of the title ( Maud Adams ), an international smuggler who runs the circus as a cover for her illegal operations. It does not take long to figure out that Orlov ( Steven Berkoff ), a decidedly rank Russian general is planning to raise enough money with the fake Faberges to detonate a nuclear bomb in Europe and then defeat NATO forces once and for all in conventional warfare.

The title of the 1983 James Bond adventure Never Say Never Again is a self-mocking reference to star Sean Connery's insistence back in 1971 that he would never play Bond again. Reportedly the huge salary offered Connery was but one consideration that brought him back to the 007 fold; the other was the producers' assurance that Connery would have full control over all aspects of production a promise that was not kept often enough to the star's liking. Essentially this film is a remake of the 1965 Bond flick Thunderball (the producers were able to get away with this due to a legal tangle involving the original 1961 Ian Fleming novel). Bond emerges from cozy retirement to cross swords with Largo (Klaus Maria Brandauer) a megalomaniacal business exec who steals several nuclear missiles intending to bring the World Powers to their knees. Kim Basinger plays Domino Largo's mistress whose loyalty Bond secures when she learns that Largo was responsible for the death of her brother. In addition to Basinger the film boasts a toothsome villainess by the name of Fatima Blush (played by Barbara Carrera). After wrapping Never Say Never Again Sean Connery swore that this was his absolutely final performance as James Bond; thus far he's kept his word.

The title of the 1983 James Bond adventure Never Say Never Again is a self - mocking reference to star Sean Connery 's insistence back in 1971 that he would never play Bond again. Reportedly , the huge salary offered Connery was but one consideration that brought him back to the 007 fold ; the other was the producers' assurance that Connery would have full control over all aspects of production , a promise that was not kept often enough to the star's liking. Essentially , this film is a remake of the 1965 Bond flick Thunderball ( the producers were able to get away with this due to a legal tangle involving the original 1961 Ian Fleming novel ) . Bond emerges from cozy retirement to cross swords with Largo ( Klaus Maria Brandauer ), a megalomaniacal business exec who steals several nuclear missiles , intending to bring the World Powers to their knees. Kim Basinger plays Domino , Largo's mistress , whose loyalty Bond secures when she learns that Largo was responsible for the death of her brother. In addition to Basinger , the film boasts a toothsome villainess by the name of Fatima Blush ( played by Barbara Carrera ) . After wrapping Never Say Never Again , Sean Connery swore that this was his absolutely final performance as James Bond ; thus far , he's kept his word.

In this adaptation of Ian Fleming's 1955 novel James Bond (Roger Moore) must thwart Sir Hugo Drax (Michel Lonsdale) who plans to wipe out all of humankind and replace it with a super race that he has cultivated in a massive space station. The girl in the case is American secret agent Holly Goodhead intelligently played by Lois Chiles. "Jaws" the steel-mouthed henchman played by Richard Kiel in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) makes a return appearance in Moonraker turning good guy (complete with a girlfriend of his own) in the process. Bernard Lee makes his last appearance as "M" in this most costly of James Bond's 1970s escapades.

In this adaptation of Ian Fleming 's 1955 novel , James Bond ( Roger Moore ) must thwart Sir Hugo Drax ( Michel Lonsdale ), who plans to wipe out all of humankind and replace it with a super race that he has cultivated in a massive space station. The girl in the case is American secret agent Holly Goodhead , intelligently played by Lois Chiles . "Jaws , " the steel - mouthed henchman played by Richard Kiel in The Spy Who Loved Me ( 1977 ), makes a return appearance in Moonraker , turning good guy ( complete with a girlfriend of his own ) in the process. Bernard Lee makes his last appearance as "M" in this most costly of James Bond's 1970s escapades.

The Living Daylights represents the first appearance by Timothy Dalton as "Bond...James Bond." Based very very loosely on an obscure Ian Fleming short story the film finds Bond assigned to aid in the defection of KGB agent Jeroen Krabbe. 007 must prevent an unknown sniper from killing Krabbe before he can reach the West. The mysterious assailant turns out to be the luscious Maryam d'Abo who like practically everyone in the film except Bond is Not All That She Seems. The plot wends its way through a scheme to trade several million dollars' worth of diamonds for weapons which will be shipped off to mercenaries worldwide. The climax takes place high above the clouds in a cargo plane loaded with opium. Dalton would play Bond one more time in License to Kill (1989) before handing the franchise over to Pierce Brosnan.

The Living Daylights represents the first appearance by Timothy Dalton as "Bond...James Bond." Based very , very loosely on an obscure Ian Fleming short story , the film finds Bond assigned to aid in the defection of KGB agent Jeroen Krabbe . 007 must prevent an unknown sniper from killing Krabbe before he can reach the West. The mysterious assailant turns out to be the luscious Maryam d'Abo , who like practically everyone in the film except Bond is Not All That She Seems. The plot wends its way through a scheme to trade several million dollars' worth of diamonds for weapons , which will be shipped off to mercenaries worldwide. The climax takes place high above the clouds in a cargo plane loaded with opium. Dalton would play Bond one more time in License to Kill ( 1989 ) before handing the franchise over to Pierce Brosnan .

Roger Moore makes his first appearance as "Bond...James Bond" in 1973's Live and Let Die. Bond is dispatched to the States to stem the activities of Mr. Big (Yaphet Kotto) who plans to take over the Western Hemisphere by converting everyone into heroin addicts. The woman in the case is Solitaire (Jane Seymour in her movie debut) an enigmatic interpreter of tarot cards. The obligatory destructive-chase sequence occurs at the film's midpoint with Bond being chased in a motorboat by Mr. Big's henchmen slashing his way through the marshlands and smashing up a wedding party. Clifton James makes the first of several Bond appearances as redneck sheriff Pepper while Geoffrey Holder is an enthusiastic secondary villain. The title song written by Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney provides the frosting on this 007 confection.

Roger Moore makes his first appearance as "Bond...James Bond" in 1973's Live and Let Die . Bond is dispatched to the States to stem the activities of Mr. Big ( Yaphet Kotto ), who plans to take over the Western Hemisphere by converting everyone into heroin addicts. The woman in the case is Solitaire ( Jane Seymour in her movie debut ), an enigmatic interpreter of tarot cards. The obligatory destructive - chase sequence occurs at the film's midpoint , with Bond being chased in a motorboat by Mr. Big's henchmen , slashing his way through the marshlands and smashing up a wedding party. Clifton James makes the first of several Bond appearances as redneck sheriff Pepper , while Geoffrey Holder is an enthusiastic secondary villain. The title song , written by Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney , provides the frosting on this 007 confection.

The Fourth War finds director John Frankenheimer delving into the same Cold-war territory he'd previously cultivated in films like The Manchurian Candidate. Col. Jack Knowles (Roy Scheider) serving at a faraway post on the German-Czech border carries on a personal war with his Soviet counterpart Colonel Valachev (Jurgen Prochnow). Both have been hardened by past combat experiences and both have been embittered by the exigencies of red tape bureaucracy and diplomatic deal-making. Their friendly rivalry snowballs (literally so!) into a guerilla-like combat situation culminating in a one-on-one showdown. It's essentially a shaggy dog story but a compelling one. Based on a novel by Stephen Peters The Fourth War was given surprisingly short shrift by Cannon Films' distribution channels.

The Fourth War finds director John Frankenheimer delving into the same Cold - war territory he'd previously cultivated in films like The Manchurian Candidate . Col. Jack Knowles ( Roy Scheider ), serving at a faraway post on the German - Czech border , carries on a personal war with his Soviet counterpart , Colonel Valachev ( Jurgen Prochnow ) . Both have been hardened by past combat experiences , and both have been embittered by the exigencies of red tape , bureaucracy , and diplomatic deal - making. Their friendly rivalry snowballs ( literally so! ) into a guerilla - like combat situation , culminating in a one - on - one showdown. It's essentially a shaggy dog story , but a compelling one. Based on a novel by Stephen Peters , The Fourth War was given surprisingly short shrift by Cannon Films' distribution channels.

Robert Mitchum seems more aloof and detached than usual in the Hong Kong-produced crime caper Amsterdam Kill. Mitchum plays a washed-up police officer hired by DEA agent Bradford Dillman to help plug up a security leak. Someone is blabbing the name of the department's contacts in Hong Kong and that someone must be stopped before every one of the informants is pushing up daisies. With but a single clue-the word "Juliana"--Mitchum flies off to Amsterdam where he mingles with the city's drug culture before his final showdown with the villains. Other familiar faces lurking about in Amsterdam Kill include Richard Egan Leslie Nielsen and Keye Luke.

Robert Mitchum seems more aloof and detached than usual in the Hong Kong - produced crime caper Amsterdam Kill . Mitchum plays a washed - up police officer , hired by DEA agent Bradford Dillman to help plug up a security leak. Someone is blabbing the name of the department's contacts in Hong Kong , and that someone must be stopped before every one of the informants is pushing up daisies. With but a single clue - the word "Juliana" -- Mitchum flies off to Amsterdam , where he mingles with the city's drug culture before his final showdown with the villains. Other familiar faces lurking about in Amsterdam Kill include Richard Egan , Leslie Nielsen , and Keye Luke .

A young man unthinkingly throws himself into a world of political and sexual turmoil in John Schlesinger's adaptation of the novel by Ian McEwan. Leonard Markham (Campbell Scott) is a British communications and surveillance expert who is sent to Germany in the early 1950s at the height of the Cold War. Leonard is put under the command of Bob Glass (Anthony Hopkins) an American agent who goes out of his way to show him around town. Leonard is woefully naive about most subjects not directly involving his job and when Bob takes him to a typically decadent Berlin nightclub he is astonished to discover that Maria (Isabella Rossellini) a beautiful and mysterious woman announces that she's quite attracted to him. Soon Leonard is no longer a 24-year-old virgin but (as one might expect) Maria's interest in him is not entirely a matter of physical attraction. Bob's secret project is a hidden tunnel beneath Berlin that allows his forces to tap into Russian telephone transmissions which is Leonard's responsibility. But the Americans are also obtaining coded information that they aren't passing along to the British; while Leonard helps Bob he's also finding out what Bob knows and passing it along to the British. However Maria is also looking for certain information and she sees the innocent and gullible Leonard as an easy way to get it. The Innocent was originally completed in 1993 but it was not shown in the United States until 1996 when it was given a brief theatrical release before appearing on home video.

A young man unthinkingly throws himself into a world of political and sexual turmoil in John Schlesinger 's adaptation of the novel by Ian McEwan . Leonard Markham ( Campbell Scott ) is a British communications and surveillance expert who is sent to Germany in the early 1950s , at the height of the Cold War. Leonard is put under the command of Bob Glass ( Anthony Hopkins ), an American agent who goes out of his way to show him around town. Leonard is woefully naive about most subjects not directly involving his job , and when Bob takes him to a typically decadent Berlin nightclub , he is astonished to discover that Maria ( Isabella Rossellini ), a beautiful and mysterious woman , announces that she's quite attracted to him. Soon Leonard is no longer a 24 - year - old virgin , but ( as one might expect ) Maria's interest in him is not entirely a matter of physical attraction. Bob's secret project is a hidden tunnel beneath Berlin that allows his forces to tap into Russian telephone transmissions , which is Leonard's responsibility. But the Americans are also obtaining coded information that they aren't passing along to the British ; while Leonard helps Bob , he's also finding out what Bob knows and passing it along to the British. However , Maria is also looking for certain information , and she sees the innocent and gullible Leonard as an easy way to get it. The Innocent was originally completed in 1993 , but it was not shown in the United States until 1996 , when it was given a brief theatrical release before appearing on home video.

Timothy Dalton is better in Licence to Kill than in his first James Bond endeavor (The Living Daylights) but he still seems uncomfortable on the right side of the law. This time around Bond is working on his own rather than on behalf of the British Secret Service. His American friend Felix Leiter (David Hedison) an agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration has been seriously injured by drug dealer Robert Davi and 007 is out for blood. There is precious little time for the usual Bondian quippery and directorial campiness resulting in a marked increase in bloodletting (including the "implosion" of secondary villain Anthony Zerbe). A climactic highway chase involving an oil tanker and a helicopter is stretched slightly beyond its value but is still one of the best action setpieces in any Bond film. Licence to Kill was a refreshingly serious change of pace for the series albeit one that tended to lessen Bond's box-office value.

Timothy Dalton is better in Licence to Kill than in his first James Bond endeavor ( The Living Daylights ), but he still seems uncomfortable on the right side of the law. This time around , Bond is working on his own rather than on behalf of the British Secret Service. His American friend Felix Leiter ( David Hedison ), an agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration , has been seriously injured by drug dealer Robert Davi , and 007 is out for blood. There is precious little time for the usual Bondian quippery and directorial campiness , resulting in a marked increase in bloodletting ( including the "implosion" of secondary villain Anthony Zerbe ) . A climactic highway chase involving an oil tanker and a helicopter is stretched slightly beyond its value , but is still one of the best action setpieces in any Bond film. Licence to Kill was a refreshingly serious change of pace for the series , albeit one that tended to lessen Bond's box - office value.

When American agents in Moscow try to recover a stolen letter implicating America in an anti-Red China plot they discover a hornet's nest of treason double agents murder and betrayal. The plot has as many switchbacks as a Formula One racetrack and a pad and paper to keep track of the agents and their code names wouldn't hurt. Still The Kremlin Letter is an interesting espionage movie with some good performances.

When American agents in Moscow try to recover a stolen letter implicating America in an anti - Red China plot , they discover a hornet's nest of treason , double agents , murder , and betrayal. The plot has as many switchbacks as a Formula One racetrack , and a pad and paper to keep track of the agents and their code names wouldn't hurt. Still , The Kremlin Letter is an interesting espionage movie with some good performances.

Woody Allen took a Japanese spy movie called Kagi No Kagi and replaced its original dialogue with an entirely new plot. In its revised state this film follows the adventures of agent Phil Moskowitz who is on a deadly mission to secure the recipe for the "world's greatest egg salad." However Moskowitz with the help of the beautiful Suki and Terri Yaki must prevent this unique recipe from falling into the hands of the evil Shepherd Wong. The group Lovin' Spoonful recorded the majority of the songs for this film.

Woody Allen took a Japanese spy movie called Kagi No Kagi , and replaced its original dialogue with an entirely new plot. In its revised state , this film follows the adventures of agent Phil Moskowitz who is on a deadly mission to secure the recipe for the "world's greatest egg salad." However , Moskowitz , with the help of the beautiful Suki and Terri Yaki , must prevent this unique recipe from falling into the hands of the evil Shepherd Wong. The group Lovin' Spoonful recorded the majority of the songs for this film.

A double agent has to contend with enemies on both sides of the political fence as well as the woman he loves in this thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Prof. Michael Armstrong (Paul Newman) is an gifted American physicist who at the height of the Cold War decides to defect to East Germany. To his surprise his fiancée fellow scientist Sarah Sherman (Julie Andrews) follows him and she soon discovers Armstrong is no traitor but acting as a secret undercover agent. As Armstrong attempts to ingratiate himself with political and scientific factions in East Germany Gromek (Wolfgang Kieling) becomes his guide though Armstrong is aware he's a government agent assigned to trail him and as he tries to shake Gromek Armstrong realizes his new "friend" knows what his real agenda happens to be. Torn Curtain was one of the rare Hitchcock films from his "classic" era which did not feature a score by Bernard Herrman; due to objections from his studio Hitchcock removed Herrman from the project though excerpts from the score he had begun were included as a bonus on the film's DVD release in 2002.

A double agent has to contend with enemies on both sides of the political fence as well as the woman he loves in this thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock . Prof. Michael Armstrong ( Paul Newman ) is an gifted American physicist who , at the height of the Cold War , decides to defect to East Germany. To his surprise , his fiancée , fellow scientist Sarah Sherman ( Julie Andrews ) follows him , and she soon discovers Armstrong is no traitor , but acting as a secret undercover agent. As Armstrong attempts to ingratiate himself with political and scientific factions in East Germany , Gromek ( Wolfgang Kieling ) becomes his guide , though Armstrong is aware he's a government agent assigned to trail him , and as he tries to shake Gromek , Armstrong realizes his new "friend" knows what his real agenda happens to be. Torn Curtain was one of the rare Hitchcock films from his "classic" era which did not feature a score by Bernard Herrman ; due to objections from his studio , Hitchcock removed Herrman from the project , though excerpts from the score he had begun were included as a bonus on the film's DVD release in 2002.

Director John Landis helmed this Cold War farce starring Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase as Austin Millbarge and Emmett Fitz-Hume -- two loser misfits who dwell in the lower ranks of the Central Intelligence Agency. Convinced despite much evidence to the contrary that they're prime secret agent material both men keep taking service exams in an effort to win promotion. Caught cheating on their latest round of tests Austin and Emmett expect to be fired but are instead made full field agents and ushered into intense training. Little do they know that it's all a ruse and that they're about to be dumped in Pakistan to throw Russian spies off the scent of two real agents with an important clandestine assignment. A spoof of the "road" pictures popularized by Bing Crosby and Bob Hope the film features a cameo by the latter as his golf-playing self.

Director John Landis helmed this Cold War farce starring Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase as Austin Millbarge and Emmett Fitz - Hume -- two loser misfits who dwell in the lower ranks of the Central Intelligence Agency. Convinced despite much evidence to the contrary that they're prime secret agent material , both men keep taking service exams in an effort to win promotion. Caught cheating on their latest round of tests , Austin and Emmett expect to be fired but are instead made full field agents and ushered into intense training. Little do they know that it's all a ruse and that they're about to be dumped in Pakistan to throw Russian spies off the scent of two real agents with an important clandestine assignment. A spoof of the "road" pictures popularized by Bing Crosby and Bob Hope , the film features a cameo by the latter as his golf - playing self.

This spy thriller from future Death Wish (1974) director Michael Winner stars Burt Lancaster as the enigmatic Cross a CIA agent who has hired a government assassin Jean Laurier (Alain Delon) to kill an Arab terrorist. Once they return home Laurier is arrested by his superior McLeod (John Colicos) who wants to know why Cross is still alive as Laurier was ordered to kill him as well. Laurier doesn't think that Cross is guilty of the crime but he relents and agrees to carry out the contract for a higher price. Cross suspected of selling secrets to the Soviets learns that his life is in danger and flees to Vienna where he is aided by a former comrade-in-arms from WWII the sympathetic KGB agent Sergei Zharkov (Paul Scofield). When Cross learns that his wife (Joanne Linville) has been murdered by McLeod he returns to the U.S. and kills him leading to a bloody final confrontation with a reluctant Laurier who is shocked to discover that his lover (Gayle Hunnicutt) is in league with Cross. Scorpio (1973) was the writing debut of David W. Rintels who went on to author several critically respected made-for-TV films.

This spy thriller from future Death Wish ( 1974 ) director Michael Winner stars Burt Lancaster as the enigmatic Cross , a CIA agent who has hired a government assassin , Jean Laurier ( Alain Delon ), to kill an Arab terrorist. Once they return home , Laurier is arrested by his superior , McLeod ( John Colicos ), who wants to know why Cross is still alive , as Laurier was ordered to kill him as well. Laurier doesn't think that Cross is guilty of the crime , but he relents and agrees to carry out the contract for a higher price. Cross , suspected of selling secrets to the Soviets , learns that his life is in danger and flees to Vienna , where he is aided by a former comrade - in - arms from WWII , the sympathetic KGB agent Sergei Zharkov ( Paul Scofield ) . When Cross learns that his wife ( Joanne Linville ) has been murdered by McLeod , he returns to the U.S. and kills him , leading to a bloody final confrontation with a reluctant Laurier , who is shocked to discover that his lover ( Gayle Hunnicutt ) is in league with Cross. Scorpio ( 1973 ) was the writing debut of David W. Rintels , who went on to author several critically respected made - for - TV films.

A man discovers that his best friends are actually spies -- or are they? -- in this thriller based on Robert Ludlum's best-selling novel. John Tanner (Rutger Hauer) is the host of a television news show who once a year spends a long weekend with three of his best friends from college Bernard Osterman (Craig T. Nelson) Joseph Cardone (Chris Sarandon) and Richard Tremayne (Dennis Hopper). Tanner is approached by Lawrence Fassett (John Hurt) a CIA agent who has evidence proving that his three pals are actually agents working with the Soviet Union. With Tanner's reluctant approval his house is wired with video surveillance equipment so that the CIA can monitor what Osterman Cardone and Tremayne say and do over their weekend together in hopes of putting the traitors behind bars. However Tanner soon realizes that Fassett's agenda is not all that it appears to be. The Osterman Weekend was directed by Sam Peckinpah; it proved to be his last film as he died a year after its release.

A man discovers that his best friends are actually spies -- or are they? -- in this thriller based on Robert Ludlum's best - selling novel. John Tanner ( Rutger Hauer ) is the host of a television news show who once a year spends a long weekend with three of his best friends from college , Bernard Osterman ( Craig T. Nelson ), Joseph Cardone ( Chris Sarandon ), and Richard Tremayne ( Dennis Hopper ) . Tanner is approached by Lawrence Fassett ( John Hurt ), a CIA agent who has evidence proving that his three pals are actually agents working with the Soviet Union. With Tanner's reluctant approval , his house is wired with video surveillance equipment so that the CIA can monitor what Osterman , Cardone , and Tremayne say and do over their weekend together in hopes of putting the traitors behind bars. However , Tanner soon realizes that Fassett's agenda is not all that it appears to be. The Osterman Weekend was directed by Sam Peckinpah ; it proved to be his last film , as he died a year after its release.

Jeff Grant (River Phoenix) is a San Diego teen who discovers his father Richard (Richard Jenkins) and mother Elizabeth Grant) are KGB agents. When he applies to the Air Force Academy a routine FBI check leads to the shocking news. Soon the suburb of Fountain Grove becomes the focus of international agents and espionage. FBI agent Roy Parmenter (Sidney Poitier) helps Jeff absorb the shock and he battles KGB agent Konstantin Karpov (Richard Bradford) in a race to capture the Soviet agents. The excellent performances from Poitier and Phoenix are the highlight of this feature.

Jeff Grant ( River Phoenix ) is a San Diego teen who discovers his father Richard ( Richard Jenkins ) and mother Elizabeth Grant ) are KGB agents. When he applies to the Air Force Academy , a routine FBI check leads to the shocking news. Soon the suburb of Fountain Grove becomes the focus of international agents and espionage. FBI agent Roy Parmenter ( Sidney Poitier ) helps Jeff absorb the shock and he battles KGB agent Konstantin Karpov ( Richard Bradford ) in a race to capture the Soviet agents. The excellent performances from Poitier and Phoenix are the highlight of this feature.

CIA computer technician John Savage seeks revenge for the terrorist killing of his girlfriend. Threatening to make public his insider's information Savage forces his reluctant bosses to train him in the art of assassination. He then heads into enemy territory (at least it was enemy territory back in 1982) on a search-and-destroy mission. There is nothing in The Amateur that we haven't seen elsewhere but Savage and a solid cast of supporting players Christopher PlummerMarthe Keller Arthur Hill Ed Lauter Nicholas Campbell Jan Rubes et. al.-- keep the proceedings lively. Robert Littell co-adapted the film's screenplay from his own novel.

CIA computer technician John Savage seeks revenge for the terrorist killing of his girlfriend. Threatening to make public his insider's information , Savage forces his reluctant bosses to train him in the art of assassination. He then heads into enemy territory ( at least , it was enemy territory back in 1982 ) on a search - and - destroy mission. There is nothing in The Amateur that we haven't seen elsewhere , but Savage and a solid cast of supporting players Christopher Plummer , Marthe Keller , Arthur Hill , Ed Lauter , Nicholas Campbell , Jan Rubes et. al. -- keep the proceedings lively. Robert Littell co - adapted the film's screenplay from his own novel.

Nick and Nora Charles are updated to a touchy-feely couple of the 1990s who take a break from the action to raise their eleven-month-old child. Kathleen Turner and Dennis Quaid star as Jane and Jeff Blue two CIA super-agents who have abandoned the daily grind to devote quality time to their baby but find trouble on vacation in New Orleans. First a group of muggers try to take advantage of Jeff as he walks down the street with his baby in tow. Jeff teaches the boys a humiliating lesson but one of the creepy bad guys Muerte (Stanley Tucci) vows revenge and he spends the rest of the movie dogging Jeff and Jane and getting kicked in the teeth in the process. But Muerte is small potatoes compared to Novacek (Fiona Shaw) a former Czech agent. Convinced to return to work by their superiors Jeff and Jane have to catch Novacek red-handed buying illegal explosives from a New Orleans traitor so that the government can send her back to the Czech republic.

Nick and Nora Charles are updated to a touchy - feely couple of the 1990s who take a break from the action to raise their eleven - month - old child. Kathleen Turner and Dennis Quaid star as Jane and Jeff Blue , two CIA super - agents who have abandoned the daily grind to devote quality time to their baby but find trouble on vacation in New Orleans. First a group of muggers try to take advantage of Jeff as he walks down the street with his baby in tow. Jeff teaches the boys a humiliating lesson , but one of the creepy bad guys , Muerte ( Stanley Tucci ), vows revenge , and he spends the rest of the movie dogging Jeff and Jane and getting kicked in the teeth in the process. But Muerte is small potatoes compared to Novacek ( Fiona Shaw ), a former Czech agent. Convinced to return to work by their superiors , Jeff and Jane have to catch Novacek red - handed buying illegal explosives from a New Orleans traitor so that the government can send her back to the Czech republic.

Steven Spielberg directed this powerful realistic re-creation of WWII's D-day invasion and the immediate aftermath. The story opens with a prologue in which a veteran brings his family to the American cemetery at Normandy and a flashback then joins Capt. John Miller (Tom Hanks) and GIs in a landing craft making the June 6 1944 approach to Omaha Beach to face devastating German artillery fire. This mass slaughter of American soldiers is depicted in a compelling unforgettable 24-minute sequence. Miller's men slowly move forward to finally take a concrete pillbox. On the beach littered with bodies is one with the name "Ryan" stenciled on his backpack. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George C. Marshall (Harve Presnell) learning that three Ryan brothers from the same family have all been killed in a single week requests that the surviving brother Pvt. James Ryan (Matt Damon) be located and brought back to the United States. Capt. Miller gets the assignment and he chooses a translator Cpl. Upham (Jeremy Davis) skilled in language but not in combat to join his squad of right-hand man Sgt. Horvath (Tom Sizemore) plus privates Mellish (Adam Goldberg) Medic Wade (Giovanni Ribisi) cynical Reiben (Edward Burns) from Brooklyn Italian-American Caparzo (Vin Diesel) and religious Southerner Jackson (Barry Pepper) an ace sharpshooter who calls on the Lord while taking aim. Having previously experienced action in Italy and North Africa the close-knit squad sets out through areas still thick with Nazis. After they lose one man in a skirmish at a bombed village some in the group begin to question the logic of losing more lives to save a single soldier. The film's historical consultant is Stephen E. Ambrose and the incident is based on a true occurance in Ambrose's 1994 bestseller D-Day: June 6 1944.

Steven Spielberg directed this powerful , realistic re - creation of WWII's D - day invasion and the immediate aftermath. The story opens with a prologue in which a veteran brings his family to the American cemetery at Normandy , and a flashback then joins Capt. John Miller ( Tom Hanks ) and GIs in a landing craft making the June 6 , 1944 , approach to Omaha Beach to face devastating German artillery fire. This mass slaughter of American soldiers is depicted in a compelling , unforgettable 24 - minute sequence. Miller's men slowly move forward to finally take a concrete pillbox. On the beach littered with bodies is one with the name "Ryan" stenciled on his backpack. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George C. Marshall ( Harve Presnell ), learning that three Ryan brothers from the same family have all been killed in a single week , requests that the surviving brother , Pvt. James Ryan ( Matt Damon ), be located and brought back to the United States. Capt. Miller gets the assignment , and he chooses a translator , Cpl. Upham ( Jeremy Davis ), skilled in language but not in combat , to join his squad of right - hand man Sgt. Horvath ( Tom Sizemore ), plus privates Mellish ( Adam Goldberg ), Medic Wade ( Giovanni Ribisi ), cynical Reiben ( Edward Burns ) from Brooklyn , Italian - American Caparzo ( Vin Diesel ), and religious Southerner Jackson ( Barry Pepper ), an ace sharpshooter who calls on the Lord while taking aim. Having previously experienced action in Italy and North Africa , the close - knit squad sets out through areas still thick with Nazis. After they lose one man in a skirmish at a bombed village , some in the group begin to question the logic of losing more lives to save a single soldier. The film's historical consultant is Stephen E. Ambrose , and the incident is based on a true occurance in Ambrose's 1994 bestseller D - Day : June 6 , 1944 .

ased on a true story Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List stars Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler a German businessman in Poland who sees an opportunity to make money from the Nazis' rise to power. He starts a company to make cookware and utensils using flattery and bribes to win military contracts and brings in accountant and financier Itzhak Stern (Ben Kingsley) to help run the factory. By staffing his plant with Jews who've been herded into Krakow's ghetto by Nazi troops Schindler has a dependable unpaid labor force. For Stern a job in a war-related plant could mean survival for himself and the other Jews working for Schindler. However in 1942 all of Krakow's Jews are assigned to the Plaszow Forced Labor Camp overseen by Commandant Amon Goeth (Ralph Fiennes) an embittered alcoholic who occasionally shoots prisoners from his balcony. Schindler arranges to continue using Polish Jews in his plant but as he sees what is happening to his employees he begins to develop a conscience. He realizes that his factory (now refitted to manufacture ammunition) is the only thing preventing his staff from being shipped to the death camps. Soon Schindler demands more workers and starts bribing Nazi leaders to keep Jews on his employee lists and out of the camps. By the time Germany falls to the allies Schindler has lost his entire fortune -- and saved 1100 people from likely death. Schindler's List was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won seven including Best Picture and a long-coveted Best Director for Spielberg and it quickly gained praise as one of the finest American movies about the Holocaust.

Based on a true story , Steven Spielberg 's Schindler's List stars Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler , a German businessman in Poland who sees an opportunity to make money from the Nazis' rise to power. He starts a company to make cookware and utensils , using flattery and bribes to win military contracts , and brings in accountant and financier Itzhak Stern ( Ben Kingsley ) to help run the factory. By staffing his plant with Jews who've been herded into Krakow's ghetto by Nazi troops , Schindler has a dependable unpaid labor force. For Stern , a job in a war - related plant could mean survival for himself and the other Jews working for Schindler . However , in 1942 , all of Krakow's Jews are assigned to the Plaszow Forced Labor Camp , overseen by Commandant Amon Goeth ( Ralph Fiennes ), an embittered alcoholic who occasionally shoots prisoners from his balcony. Schindler arranges to continue using Polish Jews in his plant , but , as he sees what is happening to his employees , he begins to develop a conscience. He realizes that his factory ( now refitted to manufacture ammunition ) is the only thing preventing his staff from being shipped to the death camps. Soon Schindler demands more workers and starts bribing Nazi leaders to keep Jews on his employee lists and out of the camps. By the time Germany falls to the allies , Schindler has lost his entire fortune -- and saved 1 , 100 people from likely death. Schindler's List was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won seven , including Best Picture and a long - coveted Best Director for Spielberg , and it quickly gained praise as one of the finest American movies about the Holocaust.

Das Boot is one of the most gripping and authentic war movies ever made. Based on an autobiographical novel by German World War II photographer Lothar-Guenther Buchheim the film follows the lives of a fearless U-Boat captain (Jurgen Prochnow) and his inexperienced crew as they patrol the Atlantic and Mediterranean in search of Allied vessels taking turns as hunter and prey. There's very little plot so the movie's power comes from both its riveting epic battle scenes and its details of the boring hours spent waiting for orders or signs of the enemy. With the exception of one staunch Hitler Youth lieutenant none of the crew is particularly loyal to the Nazis and some are openly hostile toward their Fuhrer; this allows viewer sympathy with the men as they perform their laborious monotonous duties in cramped filthy quarters or await death as depth charges explode all around the sub. Prochnow is excellent as the nerves-of-steel commander and many of the supporting actors -- all German -- are solid as well although the characterizations border on war movie clichés (the young crewman who has left behind his pregnant girlfriend the Chief Engineer whose wife is seriously ill). The real star however is cinematographer Jost Vacano who makes the sub's grimy claustrophobic interior come to vivid life as his camera follows the crew through hatches up ladders into bunks and under pipes creating a palpable sense of claustrophobia while injecting it with movement. Originally edited by writer/director Wolfgang Petersen as both a two-and-a-half hour theatrical release and a six-hour German miniseries Das Boot was re-released in a restored version in 1997 with nearly one hour of added footage which made it even more suspenseful than before.

Das Boot is one of the most gripping and authentic war movies ever made. Based on an autobiographical novel by German World War II photographer Lothar - Guenther Buchheim , the film follows the lives of a fearless U - Boat captain ( Jurgen Prochnow ) and his inexperienced crew as they patrol the Atlantic and Mediterranean in search of Allied vessels , taking turns as hunter and prey. There's very little plot , so the movie's power comes from both its riveting , epic battle scenes and its details of the boring hours spent waiting for orders or signs of the enemy. With the exception of one staunch Hitler Youth lieutenant , none of the crew is particularly loyal to the Nazis , and some are openly hostile toward their Fuhrer ; this allows viewer sympathy with the men as they perform their laborious , monotonous duties in cramped , filthy quarters , or await death as depth charges explode all around the sub. Prochnow is excellent as the nerves - of - steel commander , and many of the supporting actors -- all German -- are solid as well , although the characterizations border on war movie clichés ( the young crewman who has left behind his pregnant girlfriend , the Chief Engineer whose wife is seriously ill ) . The real star , however , is cinematographer Jost Vacano , who makes the sub's grimy , claustrophobic interior come to vivid life , as his camera follows the crew through hatches , up ladders , into bunks , and under pipes , creating a palpable sense of claustrophobia while injecting it with movement. Originally edited by writer / director Wolfgang Petersen as both a two - and - a - half hour theatrical release and a six - hour German miniseries , Das Boot was re - released in a restored version in 1997 with nearly one hour of added footage which made it even more suspenseful than before.

The scene is Schofield Army Barracks in Honolulu in the languid days before the attack on Pearl Harbor where James Jones' acclaimed war novel From Here to Eternity brought the aspirations and frustrations of several people sharply into focus. Sergeant Milt Warden (Burt Lancaster) enters into an affair with Karen (Deborah Kerr) the wife of his commanding officer. Private Robert E. Lee "Prew" Prewitt (Montgomery Clift) is a loner who lives by his own code of ethics and communicates better with his bugle than he does with words. Prew's best friend is wisecracking Maggio (Frank Sinatra in an Oscar-winning performance that revived his flagging career) who has been targeted for persecution by sadistic stockade sergeant Fatso Judson (Ernest Borgnine). Rounding out the principals is Alma Lorene (Donna Reed) a "hostess" at the euphemistically named whorehouse The New Congress Club. All these melodramatic joys and sufferings are swept away by the Japanese attack on the morning of December 7. No words could do justice to the film's most famous scene: the nocturnal romantic rendezvous on the beach with Burt Lancaster's and Deborah Kerr's bodies intertwining as the waves crash over them. If you're able to take your eyes off the principals for a moment or two keep an eye out for George Reeves; his supporting role was shaved down when during previews audiences yelled "There's Superman!" and began to laugh. From Here to Eternity won eight Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Director Best Adapted Screenplay and supporting awards to Sinatra and Reed.

The scene is Schofield Army Barracks in Honolulu , in the languid days before the attack on Pearl Harbor , where James Jones ' acclaimed war novel From Here to Eternity brought the aspirations and frustrations of several people sharply into focus. Sergeant Milt Warden ( Burt Lancaster ) enters into an affair with Karen ( Deborah Kerr ), the wife of his commanding officer. Private Robert E. Lee "Prew" Prewitt ( Montgomery Clift ) is a loner who lives by his own code of ethics and communicates better with his bugle than he does with words. Prew's best friend is wisecracking Maggio ( Frank Sinatra , in an Oscar - winning performance that revived his flagging career ), who has been targeted for persecution by sadistic stockade sergeant Fatso Judson ( Ernest Borgnine ) . Rounding out the principals is Alma Lorene ( Donna Reed ), a "hostess" at the euphemistically named whorehouse The New Congress Club. All these melodramatic joys and sufferings are swept away by the Japanese attack on the morning of December 7. No words could do justice to the film's most famous scene : the nocturnal romantic rendezvous on the beach , with Burt Lancaster 's and Deborah Kerr 's bodies intertwining as the waves crash over them. If you're able to take your eyes off the principals for a moment or two , keep an eye out for George Reeves ; his supporting role was shaved down when , during previews , audiences yelled "There's Superman!" and began to laugh. From Here to Eternity won eight Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Director , Best Adapted Screenplay , and supporting awards to Sinatra and Reed .

The Bridge on the River Kwai opens in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp in Burma in 1943 where a battle of wills rages between camp commander Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa) and newly arrived British colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness). Saito insists that Nicholson order his men to build a bridge over the river Kwai which will be used to transport Japanese munitions. Nicholson refuses despite all the various "persuasive" devices at Saito's disposal. Finally Nicholson agrees not so much to cooperate with his captor as to provide a morale-boosting project for the military engineers under his command. The colonel will prove that by building a better bridge than Saito's men could build the British soldier is a superior being even when under the thumb of the enemy. As the bridge goes up Nicholson becomes obsessed with completing it to perfection eventually losing sight of the fact that it will benefit the Japanese. Meanwhile American POW Shears (William Holden) having escaped from the camp agrees to save himself from a court martial by leading a group of British soldiers back to the camp to destroy Nicholson's bridge. Upon his return Shears realizes that Nicholson's mania to complete his project has driven him mad. Filmed in Ceylon Bridge on the River Kwai won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Director for the legendary British filmmaker David Lean and Best Actor for Guinness. It also won Best Screenplay for Pierre Boulle the author of the novel on which the film was based even though the actual writers were blacklisted writers Carl Foreman and Michael Wilson who were given their Oscars under the table.

The Bridge on the River Kwai opens in a Japanese prisoner - of - war camp in Burma in 1943 , where a battle of wills rages between camp commander Colonel Saito ( Sessue Hayakawa ) and newly arrived British colonel Nicholson ( Alec Guinness ) . Saito insists that Nicholson order his men to build a bridge over the river Kwai , which will be used to transport Japanese munitions. Nicholson refuses , despite all the various "persuasive" devices at Saito's disposal. Finally , Nicholson agrees , not so much to cooperate with his captor as to provide a morale - boosting project for the military engineers under his command. The colonel will prove that , by building a better bridge than Saito's men could build , the British soldier is a superior being even when under the thumb of the enemy. As the bridge goes up , Nicholson becomes obsessed with completing it to perfection , eventually losing sight of the fact that it will benefit the Japanese. Meanwhile , American POW Shears ( William Holden ), having escaped from the camp , agrees to save himself from a court martial by leading a group of British soldiers back to the camp to destroy Nicholson's bridge. Upon his return , Shears realizes that Nicholson's mania to complete his project has driven him mad. Filmed in Ceylon , Bridge on the River Kwai won seven Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Director for the legendary British filmmaker David Lean , and Best Actor for Guinness. It also won Best Screenplay for Pierre Boulle , the author of the novel on which the film was based , even though the actual writers were blacklisted writers Carl Foreman and Michael Wilson , who were given their Oscars under the table.

One of a cluster of late-1970s films about the Vietnam War Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now adapts the Joseph Conrad novella Heart of Darkness to depict the war as a descent into primal madness. Capt. Willard (Martin Sheen) already on the edge is assigned to find and deal with AWOL Col. Kurtz (Marlon Brando) rumored to have set himself up in the Cambodian jungle as a local lethal godhead. Along the way Willard encounters napalm and Wagner fan Col. Kilgore (Robert Duvall) draftees who prefer to surf and do drugs a USO Playboy Bunny show turned into a riot by the raucous soldiers and a jumpy photographer (Dennis Hopper) telling wild reverent tales about Kurtz. By the time Willard sees the heads mounted on stakes near Kurtz's compound he knows Kurtz has gone over the deep end but it is uncertain whether Willard himself now agrees with Kurtz's insane dictum to "Drop the Bomb. Exterminate them all." Coppola himself was not certain either and he tried several different endings between the film's early rough-cut screenings for the press the Palme d'Or-winning "work-in-progress" shown at Cannes and the final 35 mm U.S. release (also the ending on the video cassette). The chaotic production also experienced shut-downs when a typhoon destroyed the set and star Sheen suffered a heart attack; the budget ballooned and Coppola covered the overages himself. These production headaches which Coppola characterized as being like the Vietnam War itself have been superbly captured in the documentary Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse. Despite the studio's fears and mixed reviews of the film's ending Apocalypse Now became a substantial hit and was nominated for eight Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Director Best Supporting Actor for Duvall's psychotic Kilgore and Best Screenplay. It won Oscars for sound and for Vittorio Storaro's cinematography. This hallucinatory Wagnerian project has produced admirers and detractors of equal ardor; it resembles no other film ever made and its nightmarish aura and polarized reception aptly reflect the tensions and confusions of the Vietnam era.

One of a cluster of late - 1970s films about the Vietnam War , Francis Ford Coppola 's Apocalypse Now adapts the Joseph Conrad novella Heart of Darkness to depict the war as a descent into primal madness. Capt. Willard ( Martin Sheen ), already on the edge , is assigned to find and deal with AWOL Col. Kurtz ( Marlon Brando ), rumored to have set himself up in the Cambodian jungle as a local , lethal godhead. Along the way Willard encounters napalm and Wagner fan Col. Kilgore ( Robert Duvall ), draftees who prefer to surf and do drugs , a USO Playboy Bunny show turned into a riot by the raucous soldiers , and a jumpy photographer ( Dennis Hopper ) telling wild , reverent tales about Kurtz. By the time Willard sees the heads mounted on stakes near Kurtz's compound , he knows Kurtz has gone over the deep end , but it is uncertain whether Willard himself now agrees with Kurtz's insane dictum to "Drop the Bomb. Exterminate them all." Coppola himself was not certain either , and he tried several different endings between the film's early rough - cut screenings for the press , the Palme d'Or - winning "work - in - progress" shown at Cannes , and the final 35 mm U.S. release ( also the ending on the video cassette ) . The chaotic production also experienced shut - downs when a typhoon destroyed the set and star Sheen suffered a heart attack ; the budget ballooned and Coppola covered the overages himself. These production headaches , which Coppola characterized as being like the Vietnam War itself , have been superbly captured in the documentary , Hearts of Darkness : A Filmmaker's Apocalypse . Despite the studio's fears and mixed reviews of the film's ending , Apocalypse Now became a substantial hit and was nominated for eight Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Director , Best Supporting Actor for Duvall's psychotic Kilgore , and Best Screenplay. It won Oscars for sound and for Vittorio Storaro 's cinematography. This hallucinatory , Wagnerian project has produced admirers and detractors of equal ardor ; it resembles no other film ever made , and its nightmarish aura and polarized reception aptly reflect the tensions and confusions of the Vietnam era.

Francis Coppola had more than his share of production difficulties while shooting his epic-scale Vietnam War drama Apocalypse Now including disastrous weather conditions problems with his leading men (Harvey Keitel was fired after less than two weeks on the project and was replaced by Martin Sheen who suffered a heart attack midway through production) and a schedule and budget that quickly spiraled out of control (originally budgeted at $10 million the film's final cost was over $30 million). But Coppola's troubles didn't end when he got his footage into the editing room and he tinkered with a number of different structures and endings before settling on the film's 153-minute final cut in time for its initial theatrical release in 1979. Twenty-two years later Francis Coppola returned to the material and created Apocalypse Now Redux an expanded and re-edited version of the film that adds 53 minutes of footage excised from the film's original release. In addition to adding a number of smaller moments that even out the film's rhythms Apocalypse Now Redux restores two much-discussed sequences that Coppola chose not to include in his original edition of the film -- an encounter in the jungle between Willard (Martin Sheen) his crewmates Chief (Albert Hall) Clean (Larry Fishburne) Chef (Frederic Forrest) and Lance (Sam Bottoms) and a trio of stranded Playboy models on a U.S.O. tour as well as a stopover at a plantation operated by French colonists De Marais (Christian Marquand) and Roxanne (Aurore Clement). Apocalypse Now Redux received a limited theatrical release in August of 2001 after a well-received screening at the Cannes Film Festival -- the same month that the film finally reached theaters in 1979 after a rough cut received a Golden Palm award at the Cannes Festival.

Francis Coppola had more than his share of production difficulties while shooting his epic - scale Vietnam War drama Apocalypse Now , including disastrous weather conditions , problems with his leading men ( Harvey Keitel was fired after less than two weeks on the project and was replaced by Martin Sheen , who suffered a heart attack midway through production ), and a schedule and budget that quickly spiraled out of control ( originally budgeted at $10 million , the film's final cost was over $30 million ) . But Coppola 's troubles didn't end when he got his footage into the editing room , and he tinkered with a number of different structures and endings before settling on the film's 153 - minute final cut in time for its initial theatrical release in 1979. Twenty - two years later , Francis Coppola returned to the material , and created Apocalypse Now Redux , an expanded and re - edited version of the film that adds 53 minutes of footage excised from the film's original release. In addition to adding a number of smaller moments that even out the film's rhythms , Apocalypse Now Redux restores two much - discussed sequences that Coppola chose not to include in his original edition of the film -- an encounter in the jungle between Willard ( Martin Sheen ), his crewmates Chief ( Albert Hall ), Clean ( Larry Fishburne ), Chef ( Frederic Forrest ), and Lance ( Sam Bottoms ) and a trio of stranded Playboy models on a U.S.O. tour , as well as a stopover at a plantation operated by French colonists De Marais ( Christian Marquand ) and Roxanne ( Aurore Clement ) . Apocalypse Now Redux received a limited theatrical release in August of 2001 after a well - received screening at the Cannes Film Festival -- the same month that the film finally reached theaters in 1979 , after a rough cut received a Golden Palm award at the Cannes Festival.

Three stars team up for this unusual look at America's role in the war against Iraq. In 1991 as the Gulf War winds to a close three American servicemen find themselves happy to have achieved victory but wondering about the ultimate importance of what they've done (especially since Saddam Hussein is still in power). Major Archie Gates (George Clooney) is a decorated Vietnam veteran and special forces officer with two weeks to go before he retires; Sgt. Troy Barlow (Mark Wahlberg) has a new baby at home; and Chief Elgin (Ice Cube) is probably just going to end up back in Detroit. So when one of them comes across a map that seems to point out where Saddam's forces have stashed a large cache of gold they stole from Kuwait they decide to follow the trail and take some of the war booty for themselves. However the deeper they journey into Iraq the more they see of the consequences of America's policies in the Middle East. Although President George Bush and the American military urged Iraqi citizens to rise up against Saddam Hussein and pledged their support to a people's movement against the leader Iraqis found that when they took to the streets against Saddam the United States did not back them up and the loss of Iraqi lives was fearsome. When Gates Barlow and Elgin become aware of what's happening they're torn between their desire to grab the fortune they came for and the demands of their conscience to help the people they came to liberate. Three Kings was directed by David O. Russell and marked a significant change of direction after his dark-humored relationship comedies Spanking the Monkey and Flirting with Disaster.

Three stars team up for this unusual look at America's role in the war against Iraq. In 1991 , as the Gulf War winds to a close , three American servicemen find themselves happy to have achieved victory but wondering about the ultimate importance of what they've done ( especially since Saddam Hussein is still in power ) . Major Archie Gates ( George Clooney ) is a decorated Vietnam veteran and special forces officer with two weeks to go before he retires ; Sgt. Troy Barlow ( Mark Wahlberg ) has a new baby at home ; and Chief Elgin ( Ice Cube ) is probably just going to end up back in Detroit. So when one of them comes across a map that seems to point out where Saddam's forces have stashed a large cache of gold they stole from Kuwait , they decide to follow the trail and take some of the war booty for themselves. However , the deeper they journey into Iraq , the more they see of the consequences of America's policies in the Middle East. Although President George Bush and the American military urged Iraqi citizens to rise up against Saddam Hussein , and pledged their support to a people's movement against the leader , Iraqis found that when they took to the streets against Saddam , the United States did not back them up , and the loss of Iraqi lives was fearsome. When Gates , Barlow and Elgin become aware of what's happening , they're torn between their desire to grab the fortune they came for and the demands of their conscience to help the people they came to liberate. Three Kings was directed by David O. Russell and marked a significant change of direction after his dark - humored relationship comedies , Spanking the Monkey and Flirting with Disaster .

ased on the acclaimed graphic novel by artist Keiji Nakazawa Barefoot Gen is an animated drama about a family's struggle to survive in Japan during the waning days of World War II. The family's patriarch has run afoul of the local government due to his opposition to the war. The government begins to deprive the family of life's little luxuries and its necessities. The hardships they suffer through are put into perspective by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima by Allied forces. The family's six-year-old son Gen who has lived with the reality of the war nearly his entire life provides the center of this animated drama.

Based on the acclaimed graphic novel by artist Keiji Nakazawa , Barefoot Gen is an animated drama about a family's struggle to survive in Japan during the waning days of World War II. The family's patriarch has run afoul of the local government due to his opposition to the war. The government begins to deprive the family of life's little luxuries , and its necessities. The hardships they suffer through are put into perspective by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima by Allied forces. The family's six - year - old son , Gen , who has lived with the reality of the war nearly his entire life , provides the center of this animated drama.

The return of director Terrence Malick to feature filmmaking after a twenty year sabbatical this World War II drama is an elegiac rumination on man's destruction of nature and himself based on James Jones' semi-autobiographical novel his follow-up to From Here to Eternity. James Caviezel stars as Private Witt a deserter living in peace and harmony with the natives of a Pacific island paradise. Captured by the Navy Witt is debriefed by a senior officer (Sean Penn) and returned to an active duty unit preparing for what will be the Battle of Guadalcanal. As Witt goes ashore in the company of his fellow soldiers they meet diverse fates. Sergeant Keck (Woody Harrelson) is killed by an exploding grenade. Captain John Gaff (John Cusack) is an intelligent sober leader facing the destruction of his command because his commanding officer Colonel Tall (Nick Nolte) is bucking for a general's star. Sergeant McCron (John Savage) loses his mind. Private Bell (Ben Chaplin) gets a "Dear John" letter from his beloved wife. However as the U.S. troops advance up grassy slopes toward entrenched Japanese positions it is Witt's voiced-over ruminations on life death and nature that are the real heart and soul of The Thin Red Line (1998). Adrien Brody appears as Private Fife the major character of Jones' novel and the author's alter-ego although Fife has been relegated to a minor supporting role by Malick's filmed adaptation.

The return of director Terrence Malick to feature filmmaking after a twenty year sabbatical , this World War II drama is an elegiac rumination on man's destruction of nature and himself , based on James Jones ' semi - autobiographical novel , his follow - up to From Here to Eternity . James Caviezel stars as Private Witt , a deserter living in peace and harmony with the natives of a Pacific island paradise. Captured by the Navy , Witt is debriefed by a senior officer ( Sean Penn ) and returned to an active duty unit preparing for what will be the Battle of Guadalcanal. As Witt goes ashore in the company of his fellow soldiers , they meet diverse fates. Sergeant Keck ( Woody Harrelson ) is killed by an exploding grenade. Captain John Gaff ( John Cusack ) is an intelligent , sober leader facing the destruction of his command because his commanding officer Colonel Tall ( Nick Nolte ) is bucking for a general's star. Sergeant McCron ( John Savage ) loses his mind. Private Bell ( Ben Chaplin ) gets a "Dear John" letter from his beloved wife. However , as the U.S. troops advance up grassy slopes toward entrenched Japanese positions , it is Witt's voiced - over ruminations on life , death , and nature that are the real heart and soul of The Thin Red Line ( 1998 ) . Adrien Brody appears as Private Fife , the major character of Jones' novel and the author's alter - ego , although Fife has been relegated to a minor supporting role by Malick 's filmed adaptation.

With this fact-based World War II drama and the equally memorable The Fourth Man (1983) Dutch director Paul Verhoeven gained an international following eventually translating his reputation into Hollywood fame as the director of bloody science fiction spectacles and prurient sex thrillers. Rutger Hauer stars as Erik Lanshof an aristocratic Dutch student one of six carefree friends who don't care much for politics. When the Nazis invade Holland however the group is drawn inevitably into the conflict. While Alex (Derek de Lint) joins the German army the suave Gus (Jeroen Krabbe) becomes a resistance leader eventually escaping with Erik to England where they become pawns in a much larger underground movement to restore their country's Queen Wilhelmina (Andrea Domburg) to her rightful throne. Based on an autobiographical novel by Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema Soldaat van Oranje (1978) also features early work by another Dutch master who went on to success as a director of big budget Hollywood films cinematographer Jan De Bont.

With this fact - based World War II drama and the equally memorable The Fourth Man ( 1983 ), Dutch director Paul Verhoeven gained an international following , eventually translating his reputation into Hollywood fame as the director of bloody science fiction spectacles and prurient sex thrillers. Rutger Hauer stars as Erik Lanshof , an aristocratic Dutch student , one of six carefree friends who don't care much for politics. When the Nazis invade Holland , however , the group is drawn inevitably into the conflict. While Alex ( Derek de Lint ) joins the German army , the suave Gus ( Jeroen Krabbe ) becomes a resistance leader , eventually escaping with Erik to England , where they become pawns in a much larger underground movement to restore their country's Queen Wilhelmina ( Andrea Domburg ) to her rightful throne. Based on an autobiographical novel by Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema , Soldaat van Oranje ( 1978 ) also features early work by another Dutch master who went on to success as a director of big budget Hollywood films , cinematographer Jan De Bont .

Oliver Stone's breakthrough as a director Platoon is a brutally realistic look at a young soldier's tour of duty in Vietnam. Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) is a college student who quits school to volunteer for the Army in the late '60s. He's shipped off to Vietnam where he serves with a culturally diverse group of fellow soldiers under two men who lead the platoon: Sgt. Barnes (Tom Berenger) whose facial scars are a mirror of the violence and corruption of his soul and Sgt. Elias (Willem Dafoe) who maintains a Zen-like calm in the jungle and fights with both personal and moral courage even though he no longer believes in the war. After a few weeks "in country" Taylor begins to see the naïveté of his views of the war especially after a quick search for enemy troops devolves into a round of murder and rape. Unlike Hollywood's first wave of Vietnam movies (including The Deer Hunter Apocalypse Now and Coming Home) Platoon is a grunt's-eye view of the war touching on moral issues but focusing on the men who fought the battles and suffered the wounds. In this sense it resembles older war movies more than its Vietnam peers as it mixes familiar elements of onscreen battle with small realistic details: bugs jungle rot exhaustion C-rations marijuana and counting the days before you go home. This mix of traditional war movie elements with a contemporary sensibility won Platoon four Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director and a reputation as one of the definitive modern war films.

Oliver Stone 's breakthrough as a director , Platoon is a brutally realistic look at a young soldier's tour of duty in Vietnam. Chris Taylor ( Charlie Sheen ) is a college student who quits school to volunteer for the Army in the late '60s. He's shipped off to Vietnam , where he serves with a culturally diverse group of fellow soldiers under two men who lead the platoon : Sgt. Barnes ( Tom Berenger ), whose facial scars are a mirror of the violence and corruption of his soul , and Sgt. Elias ( Willem Dafoe ), who maintains a Zen - like calm in the jungle and fights with both personal and moral courage even though he no longer believes in the war. After a few weeks "in country , " Taylor begins to see the naïveté of his views of the war , especially after a quick search for enemy troops devolves into a round of murder and rape. Unlike Hollywood's first wave of Vietnam movies ( including The Deer Hunter , Apocalypse Now , and Coming Home ), Platoon is a grunt's - eye view of the war , touching on moral issues but focusing on the men who fought the battles and suffered the wounds. In this sense , it resembles older war movies more than its Vietnam peers , as it mixes familiar elements of onscreen battle with small realistic details : bugs , jungle rot , exhaustion , C - rations , marijuana , and counting the days before you go home. This mix of traditional war movie elements with a contemporary sensibility won Platoon four Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director , and a reputation as one of the definitive modern war films.

The first of two consecutive films to see director Peter Weir team with Mel Gibson (the other being The Year of Living Dangerously) Gallipoli follows two idealistic young friends Frank (Gibson) and Archy (Mark Lee) who join the Australian army during World War I and fight the doomed Battle of Gallipoli in Turkey. The first half of the film documents the lives of the young men in Australia detailing their personalities and beliefs. The second half of the movie chronicles the ill-fated and ill-planned battle where the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps is hopelessly outmatched by the enemy forces. Gallipoli was the recipient of eight prizes at the 1981 Australian Film Institute Awards.

The first of two consecutive films to see director Peter Weir team with Mel Gibson ( the other being The Year of Living Dangerously ), Gallipoli follows two idealistic young friends , Frank ( Gibson ) and Archy ( Mark Lee ), who join the Australian army during World War I and fight the doomed Battle of Gallipoli in Turkey. The first half of the film documents the lives of the young men in Australia , detailing their personalities and beliefs. The second half of the movie chronicles the ill - fated and ill - planned battle , where the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps is hopelessly outmatched by the enemy forces. Gallipoli was the recipient of eight prizes at the 1981 Australian Film Institute Awards.

A startling examination of the Bosnian war of the mid-1990s and the role of journalists in covering it this film was based on real-life journalist Michael Nicholson's book Natasha's Story. Like Nicholson cynical journalist Henderson (Stephen Dillane) is one of the rat pack of reporters looking for gore in the streets of besieged Sarajevo. He is outraged when grandstanding reporter Flynn (Woody Harrelson) helps local citizens remove the corpse of a mother gunned down on a family outing. But the next day Henderson is among the journalist vultures at a grisly scene and he has to tell a little girl that both her parents were killed. When his story is demoted by his television network in favor of a celebrity puff piece Henderson is angry. At the behest of his producer Jane Carson (Kerry Fox) he visits a local orphanage. Henderson becomes deeply involved with the plight of the children and starts documenting their individual stories even as his employers express increasing disinterest. Henderson campaigns to get the kids out of Yugoslavia with the help of an American aid worker Nina (Marisa Tomei). He promises a girl named Emira (Emira Nusevic) that he'll take her back to his home in England. To make good on his vow he must risk both his career and his life. He adopts the child and she is happy in England. But he must return to war-torn Sarajevo when her birth mother who had abandoned her demands her daughter back.

A startling examination of the Bosnian war of the mid - 1990s and the role of journalists in covering it , this film was based on real - life journalist Michael Nicholson's book Natasha's Story . Like Nicholson , cynical journalist Henderson ( Stephen Dillane ) is one of the rat pack of reporters looking for gore in the streets of besieged Sarajevo. He is outraged when grandstanding reporter Flynn ( Woody Harrelson ) helps local citizens remove the corpse of a mother gunned down on a family outing. But the next day , Henderson is among the journalist vultures at a grisly scene , and he has to tell a little girl that both her parents were killed. When his story is demoted by his television network in favor of a celebrity puff piece , Henderson is angry. At the behest of his producer , Jane Carson ( Kerry Fox ), he visits a local orphanage. Henderson becomes deeply involved with the plight of the children and starts documenting their individual stories even as his employers express increasing disinterest. Henderson campaigns to get the kids out of Yugoslavia , with the help of an American aid worker , Nina ( Marisa Tomei ) . He promises a girl named Emira ( Emira Nusevic ) that he'll take her back to his home in England. To make good on his vow , he must risk both his career and his life. He adopts the child and she is happy in England. But he must return to war - torn Sarajevo when her birth mother , who had abandoned her , demands her daughter back.

ased on a novel by William Wharton A Midnight Clear is set in the Adriennes Forest in December of 1944. A group of American GIs all of whom have been together a bit too long cling to the vestiges of their peacetime interests to remain sane. None are brilliant soldiers though Will Knot Ethan Hawke is the one who exhibits the strongest leadership qualities. Billeted at a chateau the soldiers begin hearing strange noises emanating from a graveyard the handiwork of a group of mischievous German soldiers. The two enemy camps draw closer to one another as Christmas approaches due in great part to the influence of GI Vince "Mother" Wilkins Gary Sinise. A sudden impulsive hostile act results in the wholesale -- and unnecessary -- slaughter of the German soldiers. Though the exteriors are convincingly mid-European the film was actually lensed in Utah.

Based on a novel by William Wharton , A Midnight Clear is set in the Adriennes Forest in December of 1944. A group of American GIs , all of whom have been together a bit too long , cling to the vestiges of their peacetime interests to remain sane. None are brilliant soldiers , though Will Knot Ethan Hawke is the one who exhibits the strongest leadership qualities. Billeted at a chateau , the soldiers begin hearing strange noises emanating from a graveyard , the handiwork of a group of mischievous German soldiers. The two enemy camps draw closer to one another as Christmas approaches , due in great part to the influence of GI Vince "Mother" Wilkins Gary Sinise . A sudden , impulsive hostile act results in the wholesale -- and unnecessary -- slaughter of the German soldiers. Though the exteriors are convincingly mid - European , the film was actually lensed in Utah.

Star Gregory Peck went into MacArthur disliking the title character that he was slated to play but emerged from the experience with a deeper understanding and respect for this complex historical figure. The film is framed in flashback with an octogenarian General Douglas MacArthur (Peck) making his final address before his alma mater of West Point. We flash back to the fall of Corregidor in 1942 with MacArthur promising "I shall return" to the beleaguered (and eventually imprisoned) American and Filipino troops. The story follows MacArthur's subsequent victories in the South Pacific occasionally pausing to show us the General's omnipresent sense of "showmanship" (e.g. his wading ashore on the beaches of the Philippines for the benefit of the newsreel cameras). The greater part of the film involves MacArthur's attempts to restore dignity to the defeated postwar Japan and to keep the Russian Communists from overtaking the orient as they had Eastern Europe. MacArthur is eventually fired from his post by President Truman after the general defies orders during the Korean conflict. MacArthur was intended as Universal's "answer" to 20th Century-Fox's enormously successful Patton (1970) but box-office returns were disappointing.

Star Gregory Peck went into MacArthur disliking the title character that he was slated to play , but emerged from the experience with a deeper understanding and respect for this complex historical figure. The film is framed in flashback , with an octogenarian General Douglas MacArthur ( Peck ) making his final address before his alma mater of West Point. We flash back to the fall of Corregidor in 1942 , with MacArthur promising "I shall return" to the beleaguered ( and eventually imprisoned ) American and Filipino troops. The story follows MacArthur's subsequent victories in the South Pacific , occasionally pausing to show us the General's omnipresent sense of "showmanship" ( e.g. his wading ashore on the beaches of the Philippines for the benefit of the newsreel cameras ) . The greater part of the film involves MacArthur's attempts to restore dignity to the defeated postwar Japan , and to keep the Russian Communists from overtaking the orient as they had Eastern Europe. MacArthur is eventually fired from his post by President Truman after the general defies orders during the Korean conflict. MacArthur was intended as Universal's "answer" to 20th Century - Fox's enormously successful Patton ( 1970 ), but box - office returns were disappointing.

The guns of Navarone are huge Nazi cannons installed on an Aegean island behind enemy lines. Anthony Quayle is the officer assigned by the British to lead a task force to put the guns out of commission. When Quayle is injured the mission winds up in the relatively inexperienced hands of Gregory Peck. There's little love lost between Peck explosives expert David Niven and Greek patriot Anthony Quinn especially when it becomes known that there's a traitor in their midst. Resistance leader Irene Papas weeds out the traitor but there's still those guns to take care of. Filmed on location in Rhodes and distinguished by Oscar-winning special effects Guns of Navarone (based on Alistair MacLean's best-seller was a major box-office hit of 1961; less successful was the pared-down 1977 sequel Force Ten From Navarone.

The guns of Navarone are huge Nazi cannons , installed on an Aegean island behind enemy lines. Anthony Quayle is the officer assigned by the British to lead a task force to put the guns out of commission. When Quayle is injured , the mission winds up in the relatively inexperienced hands of Gregory Peck . There's little love lost between Peck , explosives expert David Niven and Greek patriot Anthony Quinn , especially when it becomes known that there's a traitor in their midst. Resistance leader Irene Papas weeds out the traitor , but there's still those guns to take care of. Filmed on location in Rhodes and distinguished by Oscar - winning special effects , Guns of Navarone ( based on Alistair MacLean 's best - seller was a major box - office hit of 1961 ; less successful was the pared - down 1977 sequel , Force Ten From Navarone .

Stanley Kubrick's return to filmmaking after a seven-year hiatus this film crystallizes the experience of the Vietnam War by concentrating on a group of raw Marine volunteers. Based on Gustav Hasford's novel The Short Timers the film's first half details the volunteers' harrowing boot-camp training under the profane power-saw guidance of drill instructor Sgt. Hartman (R. Lee Ermey a real-life drill instructor whose performance is one of the most terrifyingly realistic on record). Part two takes place in Nam as seen through the eyes of the now thoroughly indoctrinated marines. Ironically Full Metal Jacket was filmed almost entirely in England.

Stanley Kubrick 's return to filmmaking after a seven - year hiatus , this film crystallizes the experience of the Vietnam War by concentrating on a group of raw Marine volunteers. Based on Gustav Hasford 's novel The Short Timers , the film's first half details the volunteers' harrowing boot - camp training under the profane , power - saw guidance of drill instructor Sgt. Hartman ( R. Lee Ermey , a real - life drill instructor whose performance is one of the most terrifyingly realistic on record ) . Part two takes place in Nam , as seen through the eyes of the now thoroughly indoctrinated marines. Ironically , Full Metal Jacket was filmed almost entirely in England.

Samuel Fuller's valedictory war picture The Big Red One follows the First Infantry Division from Africa to Europe during the years 1942 through 1945. Lee Marvin portrays the division sergeant; he's tough and experienced to be sure but he takes on his job with cool professionalism rather than Hollywood bravado. Based on Fuller's own experiences the film is a loosely constructed series of anecdotes. Among them are an insane asylum under bombardment while the inmates applaud and a climactic vignette in which a very young concentration camp internee dies while a friendly soldier plays piggy-back with the boy.

Samuel Fuller 's valedictory war picture , The Big Red One follows the First Infantry Division from Africa to Europe during the years 1942 through 1945. Lee Marvin portrays the division sergeant ; he's tough and experienced , to be sure , but he takes on his job with cool professionalism rather than Hollywood bravado. Based on Fuller's own experiences , the film is a loosely constructed series of anecdotes. Among them are an insane asylum under bombardment while the inmates applaud and a climactic vignette in which a very young concentration camp internee dies while a friendly soldier plays piggy - back with the boy.

A soldier discovers how elusive the truth can be in this first major film about America's role in the Gulf War. Lt. Col. Nathaniel Serling (Denzel Washington) was the commander of a unit during Operation Desert Storm who mistakenly ordered the destruction of what he believed to be an enemy tank only to discover that it actually held U.S. soldiers including a close friend. Since then Serling has been an emotional wreck drinking heavily and allowing his marriage to teeter on the brink of collapse. As a means of redeeming himself Serling is given a new assignment by his superior Gen. Hershberg (Michael Moriarty). Capt. Karen Walden (Meg Ryan) was a helicopter pilot who died in battle during the Iraqi conflict and the White House has proposed that Walden be posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Serling is asked to investigate Walden's actions on the field of battle but he quickly discovers that no two stories about her are quite the same; Ilario (Matt Damon) says Walden acted heroically and sacrificed herself to save the others in her company while Monfriez (Lou Diamond Phillps) claims she was a coward who was attempting to surrender to enemy troops. Meanwhile reporter Tony Gartner (Scott Glenn) is hounding Serling trying to get the inside story on Walden and on Serling's own difficulties. Matt Damon lost 40 pounds to prepare for his role in Courage Under Fire which resulted in a potentially life-threatening illness for the young actor.

A soldier discovers how elusive the truth can be in this first major film about America's role in the Gulf War. Lt. Col. Nathaniel Serling ( Denzel Washington ) was the commander of a unit during Operation Desert Storm who mistakenly ordered the destruction of what he believed to be an enemy tank , only to discover that it actually held U.S. soldiers , including a close friend. Since then , Serling has been an emotional wreck , drinking heavily and allowing his marriage to teeter on the brink of collapse. As a means of redeeming himself , Serling is given a new assignment by his superior , Gen. Hershberg ( Michael Moriarty ) . Capt. Karen Walden ( Meg Ryan ) was a helicopter pilot who died in battle during the Iraqi conflict , and the White House has proposed that Walden be posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Serling is asked to investigate Walden's actions on the field of battle , but he quickly discovers that no two stories about her are quite the same ; Ilario ( Matt Damon ) says Walden acted heroically and sacrificed herself to save the others in her company , while Monfriez ( Lou Diamond Phillps ) claims she was a coward who was attempting to surrender to enemy troops. Meanwhile , reporter Tony Gartner ( Scott Glenn ) is hounding Serling , trying to get the inside story on Walden and on Serling's own difficulties. Matt Damon lost 40 pounds to prepare for his role in Courage Under Fire , which resulted in a potentially life - threatening illness for the young actor.

An expensive but enormously profitable war picture Where Eagles Dare centers upon a daring rescue and even more daring escape. Disguised as Nazi officers commandoes Maj. John Smith (Richard Burton) Lt. Morris Schaffer Clint Eastwood and six other courageous souls parachute behind enemy lines. Their mission: to rescue an American general held captive in a supposedly impenetrable Alpine castle. Aiding and abetting the commandoes are Allied undercover agents Mary (Mary Ure) and Heidi (Ingrid Pitt). Also on hand is a British officer (Patrick Wymark) who masterminded the mission. Somewhere somehow someone amongst the Allies is going to turn out to be a traitor. There's also a neat plot twist in store when the commandoes manage to reach the American general -- which leads to yet another twist. The vertigo-inducing climax has made Where Eagles Dare one of the most sought-after of "early" Eastwood starring features. The film was written directly for the screen by espionage novelist Alistair MacLean.

An expensive but enormously profitable war picture , Where Eagles Dare centers upon a daring rescue and even more daring escape. Disguised as Nazi officers , commandoes Maj. John Smith ( Richard Burton ), Lt. Morris Schaffer Clint Eastwood and six other courageous souls parachute behind enemy lines. Their mission : to rescue an American general , held captive in a supposedly impenetrable Alpine castle. Aiding and abetting the commandoes are Allied undercover agents Mary ( Mary Ure ) and Heidi ( Ingrid Pitt ) . Also on hand is a British officer ( Patrick Wymark ), who masterminded the mission. Somewhere , somehow , someone amongst the Allies is going to turn out to be a traitor. There's also a neat plot twist in store when the commandoes manage to reach the American general -- which leads to yet another twist. The vertigo - inducing climax has made Where Eagles Dare one of the most sought - after of "early" Eastwood starring features. The film was written directly for the screen by espionage novelist Alistair MacLean .

Von Ryan's Express is a fast-paced well-acted World War II drama featuring a squadron of Allied soldiers trying to escape a prison camp in Italy. While most of the prisoners at the camp are British a determined resourceful American Air Force colonel (Frank Sinatra) takes charge and leads the escape which requires that the prisoners wrest control of a German train and propel it through Italy to Switzerland. The subsequent ride featuring good special effects and outstanding stunt work is great fun and very suspenseful. Frank Sinatra makes an effective action hero aided by veteran actor Trevor Howard as a British officer. The CinemaScope photography is outstanding and director Mark Robson directs the exciting action sequences with skill.

Von Ryan's Express is a fast - paced , well - acted World War II drama , featuring a squadron of Allied soldiers trying to escape a prison camp in Italy. While most of the prisoners at the camp are British , a determined , resourceful American Air Force colonel ( Frank Sinatra ) takes charge and leads the escape , which requires that the prisoners wrest control of a German train and propel it through Italy to Switzerland. The subsequent ride , featuring good special effects and outstanding stunt work , is great fun and very suspenseful. Frank Sinatra makes an effective action hero aided by veteran actor Trevor Howard as a British officer. The CinemaScope photography is outstanding and director Mark Robson directs the exciting action sequences with skill.

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence was the first English-language project of Japanese director Nagisa Oshima (Death by Hanging In the Realm of the Senses). In tune with his previous filmic essays on racism and brutality Merry Christmas concentrates on a war of wills between rebellious POW David Bowie and camp commandant Ryuichi Sakomoto. Assuming that his other prisoners' unwillingness to protest their cruel treatment is a sign of weakness Sakomoto is most impressed by Bowie's enigmatic defiance. While Bowie and Sakomoto seem to be operating on a high spiritual and intellectual plane bilingual prisoner Tom Conti (the "Mr. Lawrence" of the title) engages in a more standard adversarial relationship with sadistic sergeant Takeshi Kitano.

Merry Christmas , Mr. Lawrence was the first English - language project of Japanese director Nagisa Oshima ( Death by Hanging , In the Realm of the Senses ) . In tune with his previous filmic essays on racism and brutality , Merry Christmas concentrates on a war of wills between rebellious POW David Bowie and camp commandant Ryuichi Sakomoto . Assuming that his other prisoners' unwillingness to protest their cruel treatment is a sign of weakness , Sakomoto is most impressed by Bowie's enigmatic defiance. While Bowie and Sakomoto seem to be operating on a high spiritual and intellectual plane , bilingual prisoner Tom Conti ( the "Mr. Lawrence" of the title ) engages in a more standard adversarial relationship with sadistic sergeant Takeshi Kitano .

ased on J.G. Ballard's autobiographical novel Empire of the Sun stars Christian Bale as a spoiled young British boy living with his wealthy family in pre-World War II Shanghai. During the Japanese invasion Bale is separated from his parents. With the help of soldier-of-fortune John Malkovich Bale learns to survive without a retinue of servants at his beck and call. By the time Malkovich and Bale are tossed into a Japanese prison camp the boy has picked up enough street-smarts and developed enough intestinal fortitude to regard his imprisonment as an exciting adventure. The story ends during the 1945 liberation: on the verge of manhood the 13-year-old Bale will never again be the pampered privileged brat whom we met in the early scenes.

Based on J.G. Ballard 's autobiographical novel , Empire of the Sun stars Christian Bale as a spoiled young British boy , living with his wealthy family in pre - World War II Shanghai. During the Japanese invasion , Bale is separated from his parents. With the help of soldier - of - fortune John Malkovich , Bale learns to survive without a retinue of servants at his beck and call. By the time Malkovich and Bale are tossed into a Japanese prison camp , the boy has picked up enough street - smarts and developed enough intestinal fortitude to regard his imprisonment as an exciting adventure. The story ends during the 1945 liberation : on the verge of manhood , the 13 - year - old Bale will never again be the pampered , privileged brat whom we met in the early scenes.

Christopher Walken stars in John Irvin's graphic adaptation of Frederick Forsythe's novel about a mercenary sent to overthrow the government of an African country. Walken is Shannon an American soldier of fortune who has staged incidents in Central America and Africa that helped topple governments. Shannon decides to take on one more mission when American businessman Endean (Hugh Millais) working for a large mining company wanting to move into an African country hires Shannon to scout out the terrain of the country and see if the government is weak enough to be overthrown. Shannon assumes the guise of a photographer for a nature magazine and travels through the country meeting a wide-array of people. But the government becomes suspicious of Shannon and throws him in jail where between torture sessions he meets an imprisoned dissident leader. Through his imprisonment Shannon comes to understand more fully the struggles of the African country.

Christopher Walken stars in John Irvin 's graphic adaptation of Frederick Forsythe's novel about a mercenary sent to overthrow the government of an African country. Walken is Shannon , an American soldier of fortune who has staged incidents in Central America and Africa that helped topple governments. Shannon decides to take on one more mission when American businessman Endean ( Hugh Millais ), working for a large mining company wanting to move into an African country , hires Shannon to scout out the terrain of the country and see if the government is weak enough to be overthrown. Shannon assumes the guise of a photographer for a nature magazine and travels through the country , meeting a wide - array of people. But the government becomes suspicious of Shannon and throws him in jail , where , between torture sessions , he meets an imprisoned dissident leader. Through his imprisonment , Shannon comes to understand more fully the struggles of the African country.

Casualties of War was based on a New Yorker article by Daniel Lang. This in turn was inspired by a true incident which illustrated the dehumanizing aspects of the Vietnam experience. Michael J. Fox plays Eriksson a member of an American squadron stationed in the deepest jungles of Southeast Asia. Sean Penn co-stars as Meserve the squadron sergeant who vows revenge after his best friend is killed. He orders his men to invade a village and "requisition" a young Vietnamese girl (Thuy Thu Lee) who is repeatedly tied gagged and gang-raped. The horrified Eriksson refuses to participate in these atrocities and he does his best to console the girl and to attempt to free her. Before this can happen however Meserve orders another man to kill the girl. Once he returns to camp Eriksson attempts to file a report on the tragedy and to bring Meserve and the others to justice but he is stonewalled by the brass and threatened with death by his fellow soldiers. Eventually Meserve and his co-conspirators are jailed for their crimes but Eriksson can never forget his "compliance" in the incident by failing to save the girl. The script is by well-known playwright David Rabe.

Casualties of War was based on a New Yorker article by Daniel Lang . This , in turn , was inspired by a true incident which illustrated the dehumanizing aspects of the Vietnam experience. Michael J. Fox plays Eriksson , a member of an American squadron stationed in the deepest jungles of Southeast Asia. Sean Penn co - stars as Meserve , the squadron sergeant , who vows revenge after his best friend is killed. He orders his men to invade a village and "requisition" a young Vietnamese girl ( Thuy Thu Lee ), who is repeatedly tied , gagged and gang - raped. The horrified Eriksson refuses to participate in these atrocities , and he does his best to console the girl and to attempt to free her. Before this can happen , however , Meserve orders another man to kill the girl. Once he returns to camp , Eriksson attempts to file a report on the tragedy and to bring Meserve and the others to justice , but he is stonewalled by the brass and threatened with death by his fellow soldiers. Eventually Meserve and his co - conspirators are jailed for their crimes , but Eriksson can never forget his "compliance" in the incident by failing to save the girl. The script is by well - known playwright David Rabe .

It's late 1944 and the Allied armies are confident they'll win the World War II and be home in time for Christmas. What's needed says British general Bernard Law Montgomery is a knockout punch a bold strike through Holland where German troops are spread thin that will put the Allies into Germany. Paratroops led by British major general Robert Urquhart (Sean Connery) and American brigadier general James Gavin (Ryan O'Neal) will seize a thin road and five bridges through Holland into Germany with paratroops led by Lieutenant Col. John Frost (Sir Anthony Hopkins) holding the most critical bridge at a small town called Arnhem. Over this road shall pass combined forces led by British Lieutenant Gen. Brian Horrocks (Edward Fox) and British Lieutenant Col. Joe Vandeleur (Michael Caine). The plan requires precise timing so much so that one planner tells Lieutenant Gen. Frederick Browning (Dirk Bogarde) "Sir I think we may be going a bridge too far." The plan also has one critical flaw: Instead of a smattering of German soldiers the area around Arnhem is loaded with crack SS troops. Disaster ensues. Based on a book by historian Cornelius Ryan A Bridge Too Far is reminiscent of another movie based on a Ryan book The Longest Day. Like that movie it is loaded with more than 15 international stars including Sir Laurence Olivier Robert Redford Hardy Krueger Gene Hackman Maximilian Schell and Liv Ullman.

It's late 1944 , and the Allied armies are confident they'll win the World War II and be home in time for Christmas. What's needed , says British general Bernard Law Montgomery , is a knockout punch , a bold strike through Holland , where German troops are spread thin , that will put the Allies into Germany. Paratroops led by British major general Robert Urquhart ( Sean Connery ) and American brigadier general James Gavin ( Ryan O'Neal ) will seize a thin road and five bridges through Holland into Germany , with paratroops led by Lieutenant Col. John Frost ( Sir Anthony Hopkins ) holding the most critical bridge at a small town called Arnhem. Over this road shall pass combined forces led by British Lieutenant Gen. Brian Horrocks ( Edward Fox ) and British Lieutenant Col. Joe Vandeleur ( Michael Caine ) . The plan requires precise timing , so much so that one planner tells Lieutenant Gen. Frederick Browning ( Dirk Bogarde ), "Sir , I think we may be going a bridge too far." The plan also has one critical flaw : Instead of a smattering of German soldiers , the area around Arnhem is loaded with crack SS troops. Disaster ensues. Based on a book by historian Cornelius Ryan , A Bridge Too Far is reminiscent of another movie based on a Ryan book , The Longest Day . Like that movie , it is loaded with more than 15 international stars , including Sir Laurence Olivier , Robert Redford , Hardy Krueger , Gene Hackman , Maximilian Schell , and Liv Ullman .

ased on a true story Bat 21 follows the harrowing adventures of Lt. Colonel Iceal Hambleton (Gene Hackman) whose plane is shot down over enemy territory while on reconnaissance behind enemy lines in Vietnam. Because Hambleton used to call the shots from behind a desk he lacks combat survival experience and is forced to adapt while the enemy surrounds him on all sides. As the Air Force plans a risky rescue mission he is befriended by pilot Bartholomew Clark (Danny Glover) who can't land to pick up Hambleton due to the enemy activity but keeps him company by radio. Hambleton's plight takes a turn for the worse once the brass decide to execute an intensive bombing mission in the area whether or not they can rescue Hambleton. The colonel meanwhile confronted for the first time by the horrors of war begins to reassess his role in the bloodshed. An overlooked film at the time of its release Bat 21 is a smaller war picture that focuses on an ordinary man in an excruciating situation and how it ultimately changes his life.

Based on a true story , Bat 21 follows the harrowing adventures of Lt. Colonel Iceal Hambleton ( Gene Hackman ), whose plane is shot down over enemy territory while on reconnaissance behind enemy lines in Vietnam. Because Hambleton used to call the shots from behind a desk , he lacks combat survival experience and is forced to adapt while the enemy surrounds him on all sides. As the Air Force plans a risky rescue mission , he is befriended by pilot Bartholomew Clark ( Danny Glover ), who can't land to pick up Hambleton due to the enemy activity but keeps him company by radio. Hambleton's plight takes a turn for the worse once the brass decide to execute an intensive bombing mission in the area , whether or not they can rescue Hambleton. The colonel , meanwhile , confronted for the first time by the horrors of war , begins to reassess his role in the bloodshed. An overlooked film at the time of its release , Bat 21 is a smaller war picture that focuses on an ordinary man in an excruciating situation , and how it ultimately changes his life.

In this World War II action thriller American reconnaissance agents learn that a German submarine is sinking. The doomed ship carries an Enigma Machine a special coding device that allows high-level Axis forces to send messages that can't be read without a similar encryption mechanism. Obtaining a working Enigma device would be invaluable for the Allied war effort so a U.S. sub is sent out to rescue the machine. However German forces have already picked up the sub's distress signal and are en route to rescue their comrades. U-571 features a distinguished cast including Matthew McConaughey Bill Paxton Harvey Keitel and Jon Bon Jovi.

In this World War II action thriller , American reconnaissance agents learn that a German submarine is sinking. The doomed ship carries an Enigma Machine , a special coding device that allows high - level Axis forces to send messages that can't be read without a similar encryption mechanism. Obtaining a working Enigma device would be invaluable for the Allied war effort , so a U.S. sub is sent out to rescue the machine. However , German forces have already picked up the sub's distress signal and are en route to rescue their comrades. U - 571 features a distinguished cast , including Matthew McConaughey , Bill Paxton , Harvey Keitel , and Jon Bon Jovi .

Using relatively unknown actors first-time screenwriter-director Preston A. Whitmore II examines the effects of the Vietnam War on four black Marines sent on a doomed prisoner-of-war rescue mission. The four men are what's left of a platoon that's been decimated after landing behind enemy lines. In charge is Sergeant Barkley (Joe Morton) a no-nonsense Bible-quoting preacher who is leading three privates to find a POW camp in an abandoned temple. Cole Evans (Allen Payne) is an intellectual who is highly political racially proud and a devoted family man. Joe Brooks (Vonte Sweet) is a cheerful naïve and brave young soldier. Hoover Branche (Eddie Griffin) is a dope-smoking foul-mouthed rebel who hates the war and fights the sergeant constantly. They eventually are joined by a crazy bloodthirsty white soldier Pippins (Roger Floyd). Flashbacks reveal why each character joined the Marines. Pippins entered the recruiting office to escape rival gang members who were trying to kill him. Brooks enlisted to impress his girlfriend. Branche signed up after being fired from a meat-packing plant for stealing a ham that he used as admission to a party where he wanted to woo a girl. Evans enlisted because bigoted real estate agents prevented him from buying a decent home for his family in L.A. -- he intended to become a Marine officer so that he can get free housing.

Using relatively unknown actors , first - time screenwriter - director Preston A. Whitmore II examines the effects of the Vietnam War on four black Marines sent on a doomed prisoner - of - war rescue mission. The four men are what's left of a platoon that's been decimated after landing behind enemy lines. In charge is Sergeant Barkley ( Joe Morton ), a no - nonsense , Bible - quoting preacher who is leading three privates to find a POW camp in an abandoned temple. Cole Evans ( Allen Payne ) is an intellectual who is highly political , racially proud , and a devoted family man. Joe Brooks ( Vonte Sweet ) is a cheerful , naïve , and brave young soldier. Hoover Branche ( Eddie Griffin ) is a dope - smoking , foul - mouthed rebel who hates the war and fights the sergeant constantly. They eventually are joined by a crazy , bloodthirsty white soldier , Pippins ( Roger Floyd ) . Flashbacks reveal why each character joined the Marines. Pippins entered the recruiting office to escape rival gang members who were trying to kill him. Brooks enlisted to impress his girlfriend. Branche signed up after being fired from a meat - packing plant for stealing a ham that he used as admission to a party where he wanted to woo a girl. Evans enlisted because bigoted real estate agents prevented him from buying a decent home for his family in L.A. -- he intended to become a Marine officer so that he can get free housing.

A special group of navy divers is created when a disabled Nazi warship is discovered in a fjord in Norway. Commander Bolton (James Caan) is the Canadian expert designated to train the new unit. Their mission is to plant a bomb on the warship as it undergoes repairs. The hard-driving Bolton encounters resentment from the British soldiers he trains but he ultimately earns their respect as a leader. Their intense training operation is interrupted by an attack of Nazi paratroopers just before the unit leaves for Norway. Spectacular underwater photography is seen in this World War II adventure story based on an actual mission.

A special group of navy divers is created when a disabled Nazi warship is discovered in a fjord in Norway. Commander Bolton ( James Caan ) is the Canadian expert designated to train the new unit. Their mission is to plant a bomb on the warship as it undergoes repairs. The hard - driving Bolton encounters resentment from the British soldiers he trains , but he ultimately earns their respect as a leader. Their intense training operation is interrupted by an attack of Nazi paratroopers just before the unit leaves for Norway. Spectacular underwater photography is seen in this World War II adventure story based on an actual mission.

Scream is at once a slasher film and a tongue-in-cheek position paper on the "dead teenagers" movies of the late 1970s/early 1980s that plays as half-parody half-tribute. Sydney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is having a rough time lately: she's still getting over the brutal rape and murder of her mother a year ago and now one of her friends (Drew Barrymore) has been killed by a lunatic who harassed her with terrifying phone calls then stabbed her to death while wearing a Halloween costume. Soon Sydney is receiving similar phone calls quizzing her on the arcane details of such films as Friday the 13th and Prom Night and is attacked by the same cloaked maniac. With her father missing she has hardly anyone on her side except her best friend Tatum (Rose McGowan) and Tatum's brother Dewey (David Arquette) a half-bright cop. As for the murderer it could be any number of people: Syd's father; her cute but overly intense boyfriend Billy (Skeet Ullrich); Tatum's goofball boyfriend Stuart (Matthew Lillard); or Randy (Jamie Kennedy) who works at the local video store and seems to like horror movies just a little too much. Much like Halloween Scream spawned a series of sequels and inspired a large number of similar films -- its original working title Scary Movie became the title of the 2000 parody film by Damon Wayans.

Scream is at once a slasher film and a tongue - in - cheek position paper on the "dead teenagers" movies of the late 1970s / early 1980s that plays as half - parody , half - tribute. Sydney Prescott ( Neve Campbell ) is having a rough time lately : she's still getting over the brutal rape and murder of her mother a year ago , and now one of her friends ( Drew Barrymore ) has been killed by a lunatic who harassed her with terrifying phone calls , then stabbed her to death while wearing a Halloween costume. Soon Sydney is receiving similar phone calls , quizzing her on the arcane details of such films as Friday the 13th and Prom Night , and is attacked by the same cloaked maniac. With her father missing , she has hardly anyone on her side except her best friend Tatum ( Rose McGowan ) and Tatum's brother Dewey ( David Arquette ), a half - bright cop. As for the murderer , it could be any number of people : Syd's father ; her cute but overly intense boyfriend Billy ( Skeet Ullrich ); Tatum's goofball boyfriend Stuart ( Matthew Lillard ); or Randy ( Jamie Kennedy ), who works at the local video store and seems to like horror movies just a little too much. Much like Halloween , Scream spawned a series of sequels and inspired a large number of similar films -- its original working title , Scary Movie , became the title of the 2000 parody film by Damon Wayans .

The scene is a distant Arctic research station where a UFO has crashed. The investigating scientists discover that the circular craft has melted its way into the ice which has frozen up again. While attempting to recover the ship Captain Patrick Hendry (Kenneth Tobey) accidentally explodes the vessel but the pilot -- at least what seems to be the pilot -- remains frozen in a block of ice. The body is taken to base headquarters where it is inadvertently thawed out by an electric blanket. The alien attacks the soldier guarding him and escapes into the snowy wastes. An attack dog rips off the alien's arm whereupon Dr. Carrington (Robert Cornthwaite) discerns that "The Thing" (played by future Gunsmoke star James Arness!) is not animal but a member of the carrot family subsisting on blood. While the misguided Carrington attempts to spawn baby "Things" with the severed arm the parent creature wreaks murderous havoc all over the base. Female scientist Nikki (Margaret Sheridan) suggests that the best way to destroy a vegetable is to cook it. Over the protests of Carrington who wants to reason with the "visitor" (a very foolhardy notion as it turns out) the soldiers devise a devious method for stopping The Thing once and for all. This oversimplification of The Thing does not do full justice to the overall mood and tension of the piece nor does it convey the lifelike "business as usual" approach taken by the residents of the military base in dealing with something beyond their understanding. A superior blend of science fiction horror naturalistic dialogue and flesh-and-blood characterizations The Thing is a model of its kind.

The scene is a distant Arctic research station , where a UFO has crashed. The investigating scientists discover that the circular craft has melted its way into the ice , which has frozen up again. While attempting to recover the ship , Captain Patrick Hendry ( Kenneth Tobey ) accidentally explodes the vessel , but the pilot -- at least , what seems to be the pilot -- remains frozen in a block of ice. The body is taken to base headquarters , where it is inadvertently thawed out by an electric blanket. The alien attacks the soldier guarding him and escapes into the snowy wastes. An attack dog rips off the alien's arm , whereupon Dr. Carrington ( Robert Cornthwaite ) discerns that "The Thing" ( played by future Gunsmoke star James Arness ! ) is not animal but a member of the carrot family , subsisting on blood. While the misguided Carrington attempts to spawn baby "Things" with the severed arm , the parent creature wreaks murderous havoc all over the base. Female scientist Nikki ( Margaret Sheridan ) suggests that the best way to destroy a vegetable is to cook it. Over the protests of Carrington , who wants to reason with the "visitor" ( a very foolhardy notion , as it turns out ), the soldiers devise a devious method for stopping The Thing once and for all. This oversimplification of The Thing does not do full justice to the overall mood and tension of the piece , nor does it convey the lifelike "business as usual" approach taken by the residents of the military base in dealing with something beyond their understanding. A superior blend of science fiction , horror , naturalistic dialogue , and flesh - and - blood characterizations , The Thing is a model of its kind.

When unexpected radiation raises the dead a microcosm of Average America has to battle flesh-eating zombies in George A. Romero's landmark cheapie horror film. Siblings Johnny (Russ Streiner) and Barbara (Judith O'Dea) whine and pout their way through a graveside visit in a small Pennsylvania town but it all takes a turn for the worse when a zombie kills Johnny. Barbara flees to an isolated farmhouse where a group of people are already holed up. Bickering and panic ensue as the group tries to figure out how best to escape while hoards of undead converge on the house; news reports reveal that fire wards them off while a local sheriff-led posse discovers that if you "kill the brain you kill the ghoul." After a night of immolation and parricide one survivor is left in the house.... Romero's grainy black-and-white cinematography and casting of locals emphasize the terror lurking in ordinary life; as in Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds (1963) Romero's victims are not attacked because they did anything wrong and the randomness makes the attacks all the more horrifying. Nothing holds the key to salvation either whether it's family love or law. Topping off the existential dread is Romero's then-extreme use of gore as zombies nibble on limbs and viscera. Initially distributed by a Manhattan theater chain owner Night made for about 100000 dollars was dismissed as exploitation but after a 1969 re-release it began to attract favorable attention for scarily tapping into Vietnam-era uncertainty and nihilistic anxiety. By 1979 it had grossed over 12 million inspired a cycle of apocalyptic splatter films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) and set the standard for finding horror in the mundane. However cheesy the film may look few horror movies reach a conclusion as desolately unsettling.

When unexpected radiation raises the dead , a microcosm of Average America has to battle flesh - eating zombies in George A. Romero 's landmark cheapie horror film. Siblings Johnny ( Russ Streiner ) and Barbara ( Judith O'Dea ) whine and pout their way through a graveside visit in a small Pennsylvania town , but it all takes a turn for the worse when a zombie kills Johnny. Barbara flees to an isolated farmhouse where a group of people are already holed up. Bickering and panic ensue as the group tries to figure out how best to escape , while hoards of undead converge on the house ; news reports reveal that fire wards them off , while a local sheriff - led posse discovers that if you "kill the brain , you kill the ghoul." After a night of immolation and parricide , one survivor is left in the house.... Romero 's grainy black - and - white cinematography and casting of locals emphasize the terror lurking in ordinary life ; as in Alfred Hitchcock 's The Birds ( 1963 ), Romero 's victims are not attacked because they did anything wrong , and the randomness makes the attacks all the more horrifying. Nothing holds the key to salvation , either , whether it's family , love , or law. Topping off the existential dread is Romero 's then - extreme use of gore , as zombies nibble on limbs and viscera. Initially distributed by a Manhattan theater chain owner , Night , made for about 100 , 000 dollars , was dismissed as exploitation , but after a 1969 re - release , it began to attract favorable attention for scarily tapping into Vietnam - era uncertainty and nihilistic anxiety. By 1979 , it had grossed over 12 million , inspired a cycle of apocalyptic splatter films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre ( 1974 ), and set the standard for finding horror in the mundane. However cheesy the film may look , few horror movies reach a conclusion as desolately unsettling.

It was "The Night HE Came Home" warned the posters for John Carpenter's career-making horror smash. In Haddonfield IL on Halloween night 1963 six-year-old Michael Myers inexplicably slaughters his teenage sister. His psychiatrist Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence) can't penetrate Michael's psyche after years of institutionalization but he knows that when Myers escapes before Halloween in 1978 there is going to be hell to pay in Haddonfield. While Loomis heads to Haddonfield to alert police Myers spots bookish teenager Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and follows her constantly appearing and vanishing as Laurie and her looser friends Lynda (P.J. Soles) and Annie (Nancy Loomis) make their Halloween plans. By nightfall the responsible Laurie is doing her own and Annie's babysitting jobs while Annie and Lynda frolic in the parent-free house across the street. But Annie and Lynda are not answering the phone and suspicious Laurie heads across the street to the darkened house to see what is going on....

It was "The Night HE Came Home , " warned the posters for John Carpenter 's career - making horror smash. In Haddonfield , IL , on Halloween night 1963 , six - year - old Michael Myers inexplicably slaughters his teenage sister. His psychiatrist Dr. Loomis ( Donald Pleasence ) can't penetrate Michael's psyche after years of institutionalization , but he knows that , when Myers escapes before Halloween in 1978 , there is going to be hell to pay in Haddonfield. While Loomis heads to Haddonfield to alert police , Myers spots bookish teenager Laurie Strode ( Jamie Lee Curtis ) and follows her , constantly appearing and vanishing as Laurie and her looser friends Lynda ( P.J. Soles ) and Annie ( Nancy Loomis ) make their Halloween plans. By nightfall , the responsible Laurie is doing her own and Annie's babysitting jobs , while Annie and Lynda frolic in the parent - free house across the street. But Annie and Lynda are not answering the phone , and suspicious Laurie heads across the street to the darkened house to see what is going on....

Novelist William Peter Blatty based his best-seller on the last known Catholic-sanctioned exorcism in the United States. Blatty transformed the little boy in the 1949 incident into a little girl named Regan played by 14-year-old Linda Blair. Suddenly prone to fits and bizarre behavior Regan proves quite a handful for her actress-mother Chris MacNeil (played by Ellen Burstyn although Blatty reportedly based the character on his next-door neighbor Shirley MacLaine). When Regan gets completely out of hand Chris calls in young priest Father Karras (Jason Miller) who becomes convinced that the girl is possessed by the Devil and that they must call in an exorcist: namely Father Merrin (Max von Sydow). His foe proves to be no run-of-the-mill demon and both the priest and the girl suffer numerous horrors during their struggles. The Exorcist received a theatrical rerelease in 2000 in a special edition that added 11 minutes of footage trimmed from the film's original release and digitally enhanced Chris Newman's Oscar-winning sound work.

Novelist William Peter Blatty based his best - seller on the last known Catholic - sanctioned exorcism in the United States. Blatty transformed the little boy in the 1949 incident into a little girl named Regan , played by 14 - year - old Linda Blair . Suddenly prone to fits and bizarre behavior , Regan proves quite a handful for her actress - mother , Chris MacNeil ( played by Ellen Burstyn , although Blatty reportedly based the character on his next - door neighbor Shirley MacLaine ) . When Regan gets completely out of hand , Chris calls in young priest Father Karras ( Jason Miller ), who becomes convinced that the girl is possessed by the Devil and that they must call in an exorcist : namely , Father Merrin ( Max von Sydow ) . His foe proves to be no run - of - the - mill demon , and both the priest and the girl suffer numerous horrors during their struggles. The Exorcist received a theatrical rerelease in 2000 , in a special edition that added 11 minutes of footage trimmed from the film's original release and digitally enhanced Chris Newman 's Oscar - winning sound work.

"In space no one can hear you scream." A close encounter of the third kind becomes a Jaws-style nightmare when an alien invades a spacecraft in Ridley Scott's sci-fi horror classic. On the way home from a mission for the Company the Nostromo's crew is woken up from hibernation by the ship's Mother computer to answer a distress signal from a nearby planet. Capt. Dallas's (Tom Skerritt) rescue team discovers a bizarre pod field but things get even stranger when a face-hugging creature bursts out of a pod and attaches itself to Kane (John Hurt). Over the objections of Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) science officer Ash (Ian Holm) lets Kane back on the ship. The acid-blooded incubus detaches itself from an apparently recovered Kane but an alien erupts from Kane's stomach and escapes. The alien starts stalking the humans pitting Dallas and his crew (and cat) against a malevolent killing machine that also has a protector in the nefarious Company.

"In space , no one can hear you scream." A close encounter of the third kind becomes a Jaws - style nightmare when an alien invades a spacecraft in Ridley Scott 's sci - fi horror classic. On the way home from a mission for the Company , the Nostromo's crew is woken up from hibernation by the ship's Mother computer to answer a distress signal from a nearby planet. Capt. Dallas's ( Tom Skerritt ) rescue team discovers a bizarre pod field , but things get even stranger when a face - hugging creature bursts out of a pod and attaches itself to Kane ( John Hurt ) . Over the objections of Ripley ( Sigourney Weaver ), science officer Ash ( Ian Holm ) lets Kane back on the ship. The acid - blooded incubus detaches itself from an apparently recovered Kane , but an alien erupts from Kane's stomach and escapes. The alien starts stalking the humans , pitting Dallas and his crew ( and cat ) against a malevolent killing machine that also has a protector in the nefarious Company.

John Carpenter's The Thing is both a remake of Howard Hawks' 1951 film of the same name and a re-adaptation of the John W. Campbell Jr. story "Who Goes There?" on which it was based. Carpenter's film is more faithful to Campbell's story than Hawks' version and also substantially more reliant on special effects provided in abundance by a team of over 40 technicians including veteran creature-effects artists Rob Bottin and Stan Winston. The film opens enigmatically with a Siberian Husky running through the Antarctic tundra chased by two men in a helicopter firing at it from above. Even after the dog finds shelter at an American research outpost the men in the helicopter (Norwegians from an outpost nearby) land and keep shooting. One of the Norwegians drops a grenade and blows himself and the helicopter to pieces; the other is shot dead in the snow by Garry (Donald Moffat) the American outpost captain. American helicopter pilot MacReady (Kurt Russell fresh from Carpenter's Escape From New York) and camp doctor Copper (Richard Dysart) fly off to find the Norwegian base and discover some pretty strange goings-on. The base is in ruins and the only occupants are a man frozen to a chair (having cut his own throat) and the burned remains of what could be one man or several men. In a side room Copper and MacReady find a coffin-like block of ice from which something has been recently cut. That night at the American base the Husky changes into the Thing and the Americans learn first-hand that the creature has the ability to mutate into anything it kills. For the rest of the film the men fight a losing (and very gory) battle against it never knowing if one of their own dwindling number is the Thing in disguise. Though resurrected as a cult favorite The Thing failed at the box office during its initial run possibly because of its release just two weeks after Steven Spielberg's warmly received E.T.The Extra-Terrestrial. Along with Ridley Scott's futuristic Alien The Thing helped stimulate a new wave of sci-fi horror films in which action and special effects wizardry were often seen as ends in themselves.

John Carpenter 's The Thing is both a remake of Howard Hawks ' 1951 film of the same name and a re - adaptation of the John W. Campbell Jr. story "Who Goes There?" on which it was based. Carpenter 's film is more faithful to Campbell's story than Hawks ' version and also substantially more reliant on special effects , provided in abundance by a team of over 40 technicians , including veteran creature - effects artists Rob Bottin and Stan Winston . The film opens enigmatically with a Siberian Husky running through the Antarctic tundra , chased by two men in a helicopter firing at it from above. Even after the dog finds shelter at an American research outpost , the men in the helicopter ( Norwegians from an outpost nearby ) land and keep shooting. One of the Norwegians drops a grenade and blows himself and the helicopter to pieces ; the other is shot dead in the snow by Garry ( Donald Moffat ), the American outpost captain. American helicopter pilot MacReady ( Kurt Russell , fresh from Carpenter 's Escape From New York ) and camp doctor Copper ( Richard Dysart ) fly off to find the Norwegian base and discover some pretty strange goings - on. The base is in ruins , and the only occupants are a man frozen to a chair ( having cut his own throat ) and the burned remains of what could be one man or several men. In a side room , Copper and MacReady find a coffin - like block of ice from which something has been recently cut. That night at the American base , the Husky changes into the Thing , and the Americans learn first - hand that the creature has the ability to mutate into anything it kills. For the rest of the film the men fight a losing ( and very gory ) battle against it , never knowing if one of their own dwindling number is the Thing in disguise. Though resurrected as a cult favorite , The Thing failed at the box office during its initial run , possibly because of its release just two weeks after Steven Spielberg 's warmly received E.T.The Extra - Terrestrial . Along with Ridley Scott 's futuristic Alien , The Thing helped stimulate a new wave of sci - fi horror films in which action and special effects wizardry were often seen as ends in themselves.

Tobe Hooper's influential cult classic continues the subgenre of horror films based on the life and "career" of Wisconsin serial killer Ed Gein which began with Alfred Hitchcock's own influential cult classic Psycho. When Sally Hardesty (Marilyn Burns) hears that the Texas cemetery where her grandfather is buried has been vandalized she gathers her wheelchair-bound brother Franklin (Paul A. Partain) and several other friends together to see if grandpa's remains are still in one piece. While in the area Sally and her friends decide to visit grandfather's old farmhouse. Unfortunately a family of homicidal slaughterhouse workers who take their job home with them have taken over the house next door. Included amongst the brood is Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen) a chainsaw-wielding human horror show who wears a face mask made out of human skin. Sally's friends are rapidly exterminated one-by-one by the next-door neighbors leaving only Sally left to fight off Leatherface and his clan.

Tobe Hooper 's influential cult classic continues the subgenre of horror films based on the life and "career" of Wisconsin serial killer Ed Gein , which began with Alfred Hitchcock 's own influential cult classic Psycho . When Sally Hardesty ( Marilyn Burns ) hears that the Texas cemetery where her grandfather is buried has been vandalized , she gathers her wheelchair - bound brother Franklin ( Paul A. Partain ) and several other friends together to see if grandpa's remains are still in one piece. While in the area , Sally and her friends decide to visit grandfather's old farmhouse. Unfortunately , a family of homicidal slaughterhouse workers who take their job home with them have taken over the house next door. Included amongst the brood is Leatherface ( Gunnar Hansen ), a chainsaw - wielding human horror show who wears a face mask made out of human skin. Sally's friends are rapidly exterminated one - by - one by the next - door neighbors , leaving only Sally left to fight off Leatherface and his clan.

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" -- or rather a homicidal boy in Stanley Kubrick's eerie 1980 adaptation of Stephen King's horror novel. With wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and psychic son Danny (Danny Lloyd) in tow frustrated writer Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) takes a job as the winter caretaker at the opulently ominous mountain-locked Overlook Hotel so that he can write in peace. Before the Overlook is vacated for the Torrances the manager (Barry Nelson) informs Jack that a previous caretaker went crazy and slaughtered his family; Jack thinks it's no problem but Danny's "shining" hints otherwise. Settling into their routine Danny cruises through the empty corridors on his Big Wheel and plays in the topiary maze with Wendy while Jack sets up shop in a cavernous lounge with strict orders not to be disturbed. Danny's alter ego "Tony" however starts warning of "redrum" as Danny is plagued by more blood-soaked visions of the past and a blocked Jack starts visiting the hotel bar for a few visions of his own. Frightened by her husband's behavior and Danny's visit to the forbidding Room 237 Wendy soon discovers what Jack has really been doing in his study all day and what the hotel has done to Jack.

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" -- or , rather , a homicidal boy in Stanley Kubrick 's eerie 1980 adaptation of Stephen King 's horror novel. With wife Wendy ( Shelley Duvall ) and psychic son Danny ( Danny Lloyd ) in tow , frustrated writer Jack Torrance ( Jack Nicholson ) takes a job as the winter caretaker at the opulently ominous , mountain - locked Overlook Hotel so that he can write in peace. Before the Overlook is vacated for the Torrances , the manager ( Barry Nelson ) informs Jack that a previous caretaker went crazy and slaughtered his family ; Jack thinks it's no problem , but Danny's "shining" hints otherwise. Settling into their routine , Danny cruises through the empty corridors on his Big Wheel and plays in the topiary maze with Wendy , while Jack sets up shop in a cavernous lounge with strict orders not to be disturbed. Danny's alter ego , "Tony , " however , starts warning of "redrum" as Danny is plagued by more blood - soaked visions of the past , and a blocked Jack starts visiting the hotel bar for a few visions of his own. Frightened by her husband's behavior and Danny's visit to the forbidding Room 237 , Wendy soon discovers what Jack has really been doing in his study all day , and what the hotel has done to Jack.

In Roman Polanski's first American film adapted from Ira Levin's horror bestseller a young wife comes to believe that her offspring is not of this world. Waifish Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow) and her struggling actor husband Guy (John Cassavetes) move into the Bramford an old New York City apartment building with an ominous reputation and only elderly residents. Neighbors Roman and Minnie Castevet (Sidney Blackmer and Ruth Gordon) soon come nosing around to welcome the Woodhouses to the building; despite Rosemary's reservations about their eccentricity and the weird noises that she keeps hearing Guy starts spending time with the Castevets. Shortly after Guy lands a plum Broadway role Minnie starts showing up with homemade chocolate mousse for Rosemary. When Rosemary becomes pregnant after a mousse-provoked nightmare of being raped by a beast the Castevets take a special interest in her welfare. As the sickened Rosemary becomes increasingly isolated she begins to suspect that the Castevets' circle is not what it seems. The diabolical truth is revealed only after Rosemary gives birth and the baby is taken away from her. Polanski's camerawork and Richard Sylbert's production design transform the realistic setting (shot on-location in Manhattan's Dakota apartment building) into a sinister projection of Rosemary's fears chillingly locating supernatural horror in the familiar by leaving the most grotesque frights to the viewer's imagination. This apocalyptic yet darkly comic paranoia about the hallowed institution of childbirth touched a nerve with late-'60s audiences feeling uneasy about traditional norms. Produced by B-horror maestro William Castle Rosemary's Baby became a critically praised hit winning Gordon an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Inspiring a wave of satanic horror from The Exorcist (1973) to The Omen (1976) Rosemary's Baby helped usher in the genre's modern era by combining a supernatural story with Alfred Hitchcock's propensity for finding normality horrific.

In Roman Polanski 's first American film , adapted from Ira Levin 's horror bestseller , a young wife comes to believe that her offspring is not of this world. Waifish Rosemary Woodhouse ( Mia Farrow ) and her struggling actor husband , Guy ( John Cassavetes ), move into the Bramford , an old New York City apartment building with an ominous reputation and only elderly residents. Neighbors Roman and Minnie Castevet ( Sidney Blackmer and Ruth Gordon ) soon come nosing around to welcome the Woodhouses to the building ; despite Rosemary's reservations about their eccentricity and the weird noises that she keeps hearing , Guy starts spending time with the Castevets. Shortly after Guy lands a plum Broadway role , Minnie starts showing up with homemade chocolate mousse for Rosemary. When Rosemary becomes pregnant after a mousse - provoked nightmare of being raped by a beast , the Castevets take a special interest in her welfare. As the sickened Rosemary becomes increasingly isolated , she begins to suspect that the Castevets' circle is not what it seems. The diabolical truth is revealed only after Rosemary gives birth , and the baby is taken away from her. Polanski 's camerawork and Richard Sylbert 's production design transform the realistic setting ( shot on - location in Manhattan's Dakota apartment building ) into a sinister projection of Rosemary's fears , chillingly locating supernatural horror in the familiar by leaving the most grotesque frights to the viewer's imagination. This apocalyptic yet darkly comic paranoia about the hallowed institution of childbirth touched a nerve with late - '60s audiences feeling uneasy about traditional norms. Produced by B - horror maestro William Castle , Rosemary's Baby became a critically praised hit , winning Gordon an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Inspiring a wave of satanic horror from The Exorcist ( 1973 ) to The Omen ( 1976 ), Rosemary's Baby helped usher in the genre's modern era by combining a supernatural story with Alfred Hitchcock 's propensity for finding normality horrific.

One of the most highly regarded haunted house films ever produced Robert Wise's The Haunting (based on Shirley Jackson's novel The Haunting of Hill House) weaves the dark tale of a questionably sane young woman and a sinister house which holds a terrifying past. Invited to join anthropologist Dr. Markway (Richard Johnson) ESP expert Theodora (Claire Bloom) and probable heir to the estate Luke Sanderson (Russ Tamblyn) in order to dispel the near mythical tales that surround the house unstable Eleanor Vance (Julie Harris) agrees to spend a few nights in the house following the death of her mother. As they slowly begin to discover the horrific and seemingly unbelievable tales may hold more truth than the skeptical guests might have previously expected. With a seemingly unstoppable supernatural force lurking in every shadow the probability of anyone escaping the evil clutch of the cursed mansion seems increasingly remote.

One of the most highly regarded haunted house films ever produced , Robert Wise 's The Haunting ( based on Shirley Jackson 's novel The Haunting of Hill House ) weaves the dark tale of a questionably sane young woman and a sinister house which holds a terrifying past. Invited to join anthropologist Dr. Markway ( Richard Johnson ), ESP expert Theodora ( Claire Bloom ), and probable heir to the estate Luke Sanderson ( Russ Tamblyn ) in order to dispel the near mythical tales that surround the house , unstable Eleanor Vance ( Julie Harris ) agrees to spend a few nights in the house following the death of her mother. As they slowly begin to discover , the horrific and seemingly unbelievable tales may hold more truth than the skeptical guests might have previously expected. With a seemingly unstoppable supernatural force lurking in every shadow , the probability of anyone escaping the evil clutch of the cursed mansion seems increasingly remote.

Considered fairly gruesome in its day the original 1958 The Fly looks like Mister Rogers' Neighborhood compared to this 1986 remake. Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis star as Seth Brundle a self-involved research scientist and Veronica Quaife a science-magazine reporter. Inviting Veronica to his lab Seth prepares to demonstrate his "telepod" which can theoretically transfer matter through space. As they grow closer over the next few weeks she inadvertently goads Seth into experimenting with human beings rather than inanimate objects. Seth himself enters the telepod preparing to transmit himself through the ether -- but he doesn't know that he is sharing the telepod with a tiny housefly.

Considered fairly gruesome in its day , the original 1958 The Fly looks like Mister Rogers' Neighborhood compared to this 1986 remake. Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis star as Seth Brundle , a self - involved research scientist , and Veronica Quaife , a science - magazine reporter. Inviting Veronica to his lab , Seth prepares to demonstrate his "telepod , " which can theoretically transfer matter through space. As they grow closer over the next few weeks , she inadvertently goads Seth into experimenting with human beings rather than inanimate objects. Seth himself enters the telepod , preparing to transmit himself through the ether -- but he doesn't know that he is sharing the telepod with a tiny housefly.

ased on Montague R. James' classic shiver tale Casting the Runes Curse of the Demon (aka Night of the Demon) is an exercise in psychological terror. American Professor Dana Andrews investigates a devil-worshipping cult active in England. The cult has apparently been responsible for more than one death in recent months and it's all the handiwork of the group's leader an Aleister Crowley type played by Niall MacGinnis. When Andrews comes too close to MacGinnis for comfort the devil worshipper slips a ancient parchment into Andrews' research files. The document carries a curse that will mean death for whoever possesses it.

Based on Montague R. James ' classic shiver tale Casting the Runes , Curse of the Demon ( aka Night of the Demon ) is an exercise in psychological terror. American Professor Dana Andrews investigates a devil - worshipping cult active in England. The cult has apparently been responsible for more than one death in recent months , and it's all the handiwork of the group's leader , an Aleister Crowley type played by Niall MacGinnis . When Andrews comes too close to MacGinnis for comfort , the devil worshipper slips a ancient parchment into Andrews' research files. The document carries a curse that will mean death for whoever possesses it.

This classic horror movie based on Stephen King's first novel stars Sissy Spacek as Carrie White a shy diffident teenager who is the butt of practical jokes at her small-town high school. Her blind panic at her first menstruation a result of ignorance and religious guilt drummed into her by her fanatical mother Margaret (Piper Laurie) only causes her classmates' vicious cruelty to escalate despite the attentions of her overly solicitous gym teacher (Betty Buckley). Finally when the venomous Chris Hargenson (Nancy Allen) engineers a reprehensible prank at the school prom Carrie lashes out in a horrifying display of her heretofore minor telekinetic powers. Many films had featured school bullies but Carrie was one of the first to focus on the special brand of cruelty unique to teenage girls. Carrie's world is presented as a snake pit where the well-to-do female students all have fangs -- even the reticent Sue Snell (Amy Irving) -- and all the males are blind pawns sexually twisted around the fingers of Chris and her evil cronies. The talented supporting cast includes John Travolta P.J. Soles and William Katt. One of the genre's true classics the film was followed by a sequel in 1999 as well as by a famously unsuccessful Broadway musical adaptation that starred Betty Buckley the movie's gym teacher as Margaret White.

This classic horror movie based on Stephen King 's first novel stars Sissy Spacek as Carrie White , a shy , diffident teenager who is the butt of practical jokes at her small - town high school. Her blind panic at her first menstruation , a result of ignorance and religious guilt drummed into her by her fanatical mother , Margaret ( Piper Laurie ), only causes her classmates' vicious cruelty to escalate , despite the attentions of her overly solicitous gym teacher ( Betty Buckley ) . Finally , when the venomous Chris Hargenson ( Nancy Allen ) engineers a reprehensible prank at the school prom , Carrie lashes out in a horrifying display of her heretofore minor telekinetic powers. Many films had featured school bullies , but Carrie was one of the first to focus on the special brand of cruelty unique to teenage girls. Carrie's world is presented as a snake pit , where the well - to - do female students all have fangs -- even the reticent Sue Snell ( Amy Irving ) -- and all the males are blind pawns , sexually twisted around the fingers of Chris and her evil cronies. The talented supporting cast includes John Travolta , P.J. Soles , and William Katt . One of the genre's true classics , the film was followed by a sequel in 1999 , as well as by a famously unsuccessful Broadway musical adaptation that starred Betty Buckley , the movie's gym teacher , as Margaret White.

ig-budget special effects swiftly paced action and a distinct feminist subtext from writer/director James Cameron turned what should have been a by-the-numbers sci-fi sequel into both a blockbuster and a seven-time Oscar nominee. Sigourney Weaver returns as Ellen Ripley the last surviving crew member of a corporate spaceship destroyed after an attack by a vicious virtually unbeatable alien life form. Adrift in space for half a century Ripley grapples with depression until she's informed by her company's representative Carter Burke (Paul Reiser) that the planet where her crew discovered the alien has since been settled by colonists. Contact with the colony has suddenly been lost and a detachment of colonial marines is being sent to investigate. Invited along as an advisor Ripley predicts disaster and sure enough the aliens have infested the colony leaving a sole survivor the young girl Newt (Carrie Henn). With the soldiers picked off one by one a final all-female showdown brews between the alien queen and Ripley who's become a surrogate mother to Newt. Several future stars made early career appearances in Aliens (1986) including Lance Henriksen Bill Paxton and Reiser.

Big - budget special effects , swiftly paced action , and a distinct feminist subtext from writer / director James Cameron turned what should have been a by - the - numbers sci - fi sequel into both a blockbuster and a seven - time Oscar nominee. Sigourney Weaver returns as Ellen Ripley , the last surviving crew member of a corporate spaceship destroyed after an attack by a vicious , virtually unbeatable alien life form. Adrift in space for half a century , Ripley grapples with depression until she's informed by her company's representative , Carter Burke ( Paul Reiser ) that the planet where her crew discovered the alien has since been settled by colonists. Contact with the colony has suddenly been lost , and a detachment of colonial marines is being sent to investigate. Invited along as an advisor , Ripley predicts disaster , and sure enough , the aliens have infested the colony , leaving a sole survivor , the young girl Newt ( Carrie Henn ) . With the soldiers picked off one by one , a final all - female showdown brews between the alien queen and Ripley , who's become a surrogate mother to Newt. Several future stars made early career appearances in Aliens ( 1986 ), including Lance Henriksen , Bill Paxton , and Reiser .

Spanish filmmaker Alejandro Amenabar's first English-language production is a creepy period ghost story that continues in the vein of his earlier art house hit Open Your Eyes (1997). Nicole Kidman stars as Grace a devoutly religious mother of two ailing children who has moved with her family to a mansion on the English coast while awaiting her husband's return from World War II though he has been declared missing. Their children Anne (Alakina Mann) and Nicholas (James Bentley) both suffer from a rare photosensitivity disease that renders them extremely vulnerable to sunlight prompting Grace's rule of having only one door open in the house at a time. When Anne begins claiming to see ghosts Grace at first believes her newly arrived family of eccentric servants to be responsible but chilling events and visions soon lead her to believe that something supernatural is indeed going on. The Others was released only a few months prior to Vanilla Sky (2001) the American remake of Alejandro's Open Your Eyes (1997) ironically starring Kidman's then-estranged husband Tom Cruise.

Spanish filmmaker Alejandro Amenabar 's first English - language production is a creepy period ghost story that continues in the vein of his earlier art house hit Open Your Eyes ( 1997 ) . Nicole Kidman stars as Grace , a devoutly religious mother of two ailing children who has moved with her family to a mansion on the English coast while awaiting her husband's return from World War II , though he has been declared missing. Their children , Anne ( Alakina Mann ) and Nicholas ( James Bentley ), both suffer from a rare photosensitivity disease that renders them extremely vulnerable to sunlight , prompting Grace's rule of having only one door open in the house at a time. When Anne begins claiming to see ghosts , Grace at first believes her newly arrived family of eccentric servants to be responsible , but chilling events and visions soon lead her to believe that something supernatural is indeed going on. The Others was released only a few months prior to Vanilla Sky ( 2001 ), the American remake of Alejandro 's Open Your Eyes ( 1997 ), ironically starring Kidman 's then - estranged husband Tom Cruise .

Combining Hi-8 video with black-and-white 16 mm film this film presents a raw look at what can happen when college students forego common sense and enter the world of voodoo and witchcraft. Presented as a straightforward documentary the film opens with a title card explaining that in 1994 three students went into the Maryland back woods to do a film project on the Blair Witch incidents. These kids were never seen again and the film you are about to see is from their recovered equipment found in the woods a year later. The entire movie documents their adventures leading up to their final minutes. The Blair Witch incident as we initially learn from the local town elders is an old legend about a group of witches who tortured and killed several children many years ago. Everyone in town knows the story and they're all sketchy on the details. Out in the woods and away from their parked car (and civilization) what starts as a school exercise turns into a nightmare when the three kids lose their map. Forced to spend extra days finding their way out the kids then start to hear horrific sounds outside their tents in the pitch-black middle of night. They also find strange artifacts from (what can only be) the Blair Witch still living in the woods. Frightened they desperately try to find their way out of the woods with no luck. Slowly these students start to unravel knowing they have no way of getting out no food and it's getting cold. Each night they are confronted with shrieking and sounds so haunting that they are convinced someone is following them and they quickly begin to fear for their lives. The film premiered in the midnight movie section at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival.

Combining Hi - 8 video with black - and - white 16 mm film , this film presents a raw look at what can happen when college students forego common sense and enter the world of voodoo and witchcraft. Presented as a straightforward documentary , the film opens with a title card explaining that in 1994 , three students went into the Maryland back woods to do a film project on the Blair Witch incidents. These kids were never seen again , and the film you are about to see is from their recovered equipment , found in the woods a year later. The entire movie documents their adventures leading up to their final minutes. The Blair Witch incident , as we initially learn from the local town elders , is an old legend about a group of witches who tortured and killed several children many years ago. Everyone in town knows the story and they're all sketchy on the details. Out in the woods and away from their parked car ( and civilization ), what starts as a school exercise turns into a nightmare when the three kids lose their map. Forced to spend extra days finding their way out , the kids then start to hear horrific sounds outside their tents in the pitch - black middle of night. They also find strange artifacts from ( what can only be ) the Blair Witch , still living in the woods. Frightened , they desperately try to find their way out of the woods , with no luck. Slowly these students start to unravel , knowing they have no way of getting out , no food , and it's getting cold. Each night they are confronted with shrieking and sounds so haunting that they are convinced someone is following them , and they quickly begin to fear for their lives. The film premiered in the midnight movie section at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival .

This Russian film adaptation of Nikolai Gogol's story was for a long time the only horror film made in the Soviet Union. Khoma (Leonid Kuravlev) a young novice travels across the countryside and stays for a night in a barn that belongs to an ugly old woman. When she attacks him at night and takes him for a broom ride the scared novice fatally wounds her and before she dies she turns into a beautiful young noblewoman (Natalya Varley). The latter leaves a will according to which Khoma should pray for her for three nights in the chapel until her body is buried. At night the witch rises from the coffin and tries to catch Khoma. She flies around but she can't reach him or see him because he stays inside the circle that he has drawn around himself. During the third and last night the witch makes the last attempt to scare him out of the circle and she calls all sorts of ugly creatures to help her... Gogol wrote several stories based on Ukrainian folklore many of them dealing with the Devil and the supernatural.

This Russian film adaptation of Nikolai Gogol's story was for a long time the only horror film made in the Soviet Union. Khoma ( Leonid Kuravlev ), a young novice , travels across the countryside and stays for a night in a barn that belongs to an ugly old woman. When she attacks him at night and takes him for a broom ride , the scared novice fatally wounds her , and before she dies , she turns into a beautiful young noblewoman ( Natalya Varley ) . The latter leaves a will , according to which Khoma should pray for her for three nights in the chapel until her body is buried. At night , the witch rises from the coffin and tries to catch Khoma. She flies around but she can't reach him or see him because he stays inside the circle that he has drawn around himself. During the third and last night , the witch makes the last attempt to scare him out of the circle , and she calls all sorts of ugly creatures to help her... Gogol wrote several stories based on Ukrainian folklore , many of them dealing with the Devil and the supernatural.

This surreal variant on the classic vampire tale is the directorial debut of Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro who garnered international acclaim and several awards. The film tells the story of elderly antique dealer Jesus Gris (Federico Luppi in a role originally written for Max Von Sydow) who with his eight-year-old granddaughter Aurora (Tamara Shanath) discovers an ancient artifact secreted within a statue obtained from the estate of a 16th-century alchemist. Unbeknownst to Gris the device -- which resembles an ornate gilded mechanical beetle -- houses an immortal parasite which will grant eternal life to its host. Naturally there is a terrible price for this gift which Gris is doomed to discover after the object anchors itself to his body. He begins to develop an extreme aversion to daylight as well as an agonizing thirst for human blood. To compound matters dying millionaire Dieter de la Guardia (Claudio Brook) has learned of the device's existence -- thanks to an occult tome obtained from its inventor -- and wishes to obtain it for his own use. To this end he employs his vain brutish nephew Angel (Ron Perlman) to retrieve it for him. Angel's techniques are less than subtle and he inevitably winds up killing Gris in his futile search for the artifact... but death is not permanent for the host of the Cronos and he rises from the mortuary slab to reunite with the long-suffering Aurora. Together they confront de la Guardia and his nephew one last time hoping to find a way to reverse the horrible process before Gris suffers the same monstrous fate as the device's creator.

This surreal variant on the classic vampire tale is the directorial debut of Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro , who garnered international acclaim and several awards. The film tells the story of elderly antique dealer Jesus Gris ( Federico Luppi , in a role originally written for Max Von Sydow ) who , with his eight - year - old granddaughter Aurora ( Tamara Shanath ), discovers an ancient artifact secreted within a statue obtained from the estate of a 16th - century alchemist. Unbeknownst to Gris , the device -- which resembles an ornate , gilded mechanical beetle -- houses an immortal parasite which will grant eternal life to its host. Naturally , there is a terrible price for this gift , which Gris is doomed to discover after the object anchors itself to his body. He begins to develop an extreme aversion to daylight , as well as an agonizing thirst for human blood. To compound matters , dying millionaire Dieter de la Guardia ( Claudio Brook ) has learned of the device's existence -- thanks to an occult tome obtained from its inventor -- and wishes to obtain it for his own use. To this end he employs his vain , brutish nephew Angel ( Ron Perlman ) to retrieve it for him. Angel's techniques are less than subtle , and he inevitably winds up killing Gris in his futile search for the artifact... but death is not permanent for the host of the Cronos , and he rises from the mortuary slab to reunite with the long - suffering Aurora. Together they confront de la Guardia and his nephew one last time , hoping to find a way to reverse the horrible process before Gris suffers the same monstrous fate as the device's creator.

For Werner Herzog's 1979 remake of F.W. Murnau's classic 1922 silent horror-fest Nosferatu star Klaus Kinski adopts the same makeup style used by Murnau's leading man Max Schreck. Yet in the Herzog version the crucial difference is that Nosferatu becomes more and more decayed and desiccated as the film progresses. Essentially a retelling of Bram Stoker's Dracula Nosferatu the Vampyre traces the blood-sucking progress of the count as he takes over a small German village then attempts to spread his influence and activities to the rest of the world. All that prevents Dracula from continuing his demonic practices is the self-sacrifice of Lucy Harker played by Isabelle Adjani. Director Werner Herzog used the story to parallel the rise of Nazism. The film was lensed in the Dutch towns of Delft and Scheiberg. Nosferatu the Vampyre was filmed in both an English and a German-speaking version; the latter runs 11 minutes longer.

For Werner Herzog 's 1979 remake of F.W. Murnau 's classic 1922 silent horror - fest Nosferatu , star Klaus Kinski adopts the same makeup style used by Murnau 's leading man Max Schreck . Yet in the Herzog version , the crucial difference is that Nosferatu becomes more and more decayed and desiccated as the film progresses. Essentially a retelling of Bram Stoker 's Dracula , Nosferatu the Vampyre traces the blood - sucking progress of the count as he takes over a small German village , then attempts to spread his influence and activities to the rest of the world. All that prevents Dracula from continuing his demonic practices is the self - sacrifice of Lucy Harker , played by Isabelle Adjani . Director Werner Herzog used the story to parallel the rise of Nazism. The film was lensed in the Dutch towns of Delft and Scheiberg. Nosferatu the Vampyre was filmed in both an English and a German - speaking version ; the latter runs 11 minutes longer.

In this 1961 William Castle film based on Ray Russell's novel Sardonicus Guy Rolfe stars as the wicked Sardonicus a wealthy count who wears a mask because his face is frozen in a horrifying death grimace. Ronald Lewis stars as Sir Robert Cargrave a brilliant doctor who is at the top of his field in the early 20th century. A curious letter from his former love Maude (Audrey Dalton) draws him to Europe where she lives in a remote castle with her brooding husband his badly scarred but dedicated man-servant Krull (Oscar Homolka) and a frightened housekeeper whom Sir Robert finds tied up and covered with leeches. The good doctor soon discovers the truth behind the leeches...and the true nature of his visit when Sardonicus reveals his terrible story: He dug up his father's grave in search of a winning lottery ticket and upon seeing the corpse his face muscles froze leaving him looking like a living skull. Dangling Maude as his ransom Sardonicus forces Sir Robert into attempting a radical treatment to make his face normal again but even when it is a success the evil Sardonicus can find no cure from the curse of his father's desecrated corpse. Castle appears in the climax to offer viewers an opportunity to afford additional punishment on Sardonicus which leads to a satisfying conclusion.

In this 1961 William Castle film based on Ray Russell 's novel Sardonicus , Guy Rolfe stars as the wicked Sardonicus , a wealthy count who wears a mask because his face is frozen in a horrifying death grimace. Ronald Lewis stars as Sir Robert Cargrave , a brilliant doctor who is at the top of his field in the early 20th century. A curious letter from his former love , Maude ( Audrey Dalton ), draws him to Europe where she lives in a remote castle with her brooding husband , his badly scarred , but dedicated man - servant , Krull ( Oscar Homolka ), and a frightened housekeeper whom Sir Robert finds tied up and covered with leeches. The good doctor soon discovers the truth behind the leeches...and the true nature of his visit when Sardonicus reveals his terrible story : He dug up his father's grave in search of a winning lottery ticket , and upon seeing the corpse , his face muscles froze leaving him looking like a living skull. Dangling Maude as his ransom , Sardonicus forces Sir Robert into attempting a radical treatment to make his face normal again , but even when it is a success , the evil Sardonicus can find no cure from the curse of his father's desecrated corpse. Castle appears in the climax to offer viewers an opportunity to afford additional punishment on Sardonicus which leads to a satisfying conclusion.

Homicidal represents producer/director William Castle's slant on Hitchcock's Psycho. The film concerns a young woman named Miriam Webster (Patricia Breslin) who seemingly has everything a girl could want - including a successful flower shop business and a handsome beau Karl (Glenn Corbett) who works as a pharmacist. Events take a turn for the worse however when Miriam's half-brother Warren returns from Europe - with a rather unpleasant friend in-tow: a blonde named Emily (Jean Arless). Emily promptly sets about destroying Miriam's life: the newcomer attempts to wheedle Karl away from Miriam then rips the flower shop to pieces then ultimately reveals a little taste for knife-wielding that directly threatens Miriam's safety. Like The Tingler and other Castle outings this one originally featured a gimmick preserved in the video release: a "fright-break" just prior to the climax which allowed terrified audience members approximately 45 seconds to get out of their seats and leave the theater - to avoid the prospect of being "frightened to death." One look at Jean Arless's credit in the cast listing betrays the final twist in this one directly (and unapologetically) lifted by Castle from Psycho.

Homicidal represents producer / director William Castle 's slant on Hitchcock 's Psycho . The film concerns a young woman named Miriam Webster ( Patricia Breslin ) who seemingly has everything a girl could want - including a successful flower shop business , and a handsome beau , Karl ( Glenn Corbett ), who works as a pharmacist. Events take a turn for the worse , however , when Miriam's half - brother , Warren , returns from Europe - with a rather unpleasant friend in - tow : a blonde named Emily ( Jean Arless ) . Emily promptly sets about destroying Miriam's life : the newcomer attempts to wheedle Karl away from Miriam , then rips the flower shop to pieces , then ultimately reveals a little taste for knife - wielding that directly threatens Miriam's safety. Like The Tingler and other Castle outings , this one originally featured a gimmick , preserved in the video release : a "fright - break" just prior to the climax , which allowed terrified audience members approximately 45 seconds to get out of their seats and leave the theater - to avoid the prospect of being "frightened to death." One look at Jean Arless 's credit in the cast listing betrays the final twist in this one , directly ( and unapologetically ) lifted by Castle from Psycho .

A young woman's unplanned visit to an abandoned village awakens a deadly ancient evil in director Amando De Ossorio's eerie graphic horror flick that spawned a trio of lesser sequels. While vacationing with a male friend named Roger (Cesar Burner) pretty Virginia (Elena Arpon aka "Helen Harp\") runs into her old girlfriend Betty (Lone Fleming) with whom she once shared an intimate experience. At Roger's insistence -- and to Virginia's annoyance -- Betty joins the couple on a train excursion. Virginia decides to jump off the train and camp out in the solitary village of Berzano. She discovers the place is a ghost town but as night closes in evil Templar knights rise from their graves to kill her and to drink her blood. The next day Betty and Roger begin searching for their friend but are shocked when a detective (Rufino Ingles) takes them to identify her brutalized corpse. Their investigation leads them to a local expert Professor Cantell (Francisco Sanz) who explains the terrifying legend of the Templars: 13th century Satan-worshipping knights who were executed and had their eyes plucked out by crows. Meanwhile Virginia's corpse rises from the dead and kills a morgue attendant before being torched by Betty's frightened assistant. Not wanting to believe Cantell's outrageous story Roger and Betty meet with the professor's son Pedro (Joseph Thelman) a suspect in Virginia's murder because of his criminal background. He agrees to help them stake out Berzano and find the real killer but as night arrives the blind Knights rise once again from their graves leading to murder and mayhem. Betty manages to escape and jumps on a passing train but it's all for nought as the horse-riding Templars catch up to the train and continue their bloody rampage.

A young woman's unplanned visit to an abandoned village awakens a deadly ancient evil in director Amando De Ossorio 's eerie , graphic horror flick that spawned a trio of lesser sequels. While vacationing with a male friend named Roger ( Cesar Burner ), pretty Virginia ( Elena Arpon aka " Helen Harp \ " ) runs into her old girlfriend , Betty ( Lone Fleming ), with whom she once shared an intimate experience. At Roger's insistence -- and to Virginia's annoyance -- Betty joins the couple on a train excursion. Virginia decides to jump off the train and camp out in the solitary village of Berzano. She discovers the place is a ghost town , but as night closes in , evil Templar knights rise from their graves to kill her and to drink her blood. The next day , Betty and Roger begin searching for their friend , but are shocked when a detective ( Rufino Ingles ) takes them to identify her brutalized corpse. Their investigation leads them to a local expert , Professor Cantell ( Francisco Sanz ), who explains the terrifying legend of the Templars : 13th century Satan - worshipping knights who were executed and had their eyes plucked out by crows. Meanwhile , Virginia's corpse rises from the dead and kills a morgue attendant before being torched by Betty's frightened assistant. Not wanting to believe Cantell's outrageous story , Roger and Betty meet with the professor's son , Pedro ( Joseph Thelman ), a suspect in Virginia's murder because of his criminal background. He agrees to help them stake out Berzano and find the real killer , but as night arrives , the blind Knights rise once again from their graves leading to murder and mayhem. Betty manages to escape and jumps on a passing train , but it's all for nought as the horse - riding Templars catch up to the train and continue their bloody rampage.

Hardcore pornography sadomasochism mind control and living televisions all play crucial roles in Videodrome one of director David Cronenberg's explorations of dangerous sexuality and technological obsession. The morally questionable hero of the tale is one Max Renn (James Woods) a television executive searching for an intense new program for his sex-oriented network. He ultimately discovers an underground program called "Videodrome" which appears to broadcast pornographic snuff films of actual murders. Horrified but perversely intrigued Renn sets out to find the truth behind the program. During his search he meets alluring femme fatale Nicki (Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry) technology cult leader Bianca O'Blivion and other mysterious figures. Things become even more disturbing for Renn as his addiction grows and the program begins to infect the outside world -- or perhaps merely destroy own his sanity. Cronenberg mingles his cerebral concerns about the nature of reality in the video age with enough visceral gore (courtesy of Rick Baker) to satisfy the film's intended horror audience.

Hardcore pornography , sadomasochism , mind control , and living televisions all play crucial roles in Videodrome , one of director David Cronenberg's explorations of dangerous sexuality and technological obsession. The morally questionable hero of the tale is one Max Renn ( James Woods ), a television executive searching for an intense new program for his sex - oriented network. He ultimately discovers an underground program called "Videodrome , " which appears to broadcast pornographic snuff films of actual murders. Horrified but perversely intrigued , Renn sets out to find the truth behind the program. During his search , he meets alluring femme fatale Nicki ( Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry ), technology cult leader Bianca O'Blivion , and other mysterious figures. Things become even more disturbing for Renn as his addiction grows , and the program begins to infect the outside world -- or perhaps merely destroy own his sanity. Cronenberg mingles his cerebral concerns about the nature of reality in the video age with enough visceral gore ( courtesy of Rick Baker ) to satisfy the film's intended horror audience.

Tremors is actually two movies in one. On its own terms it's an enjoyable modern sci-fi horror-thriller with good pacing and a sense of humor; but it's also a loving tribute to such 1950s low-budget desert-based sci-fi-horror films like Them! It Came From Outer Space Tarantula and The Monolith Monsters. Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward are the stars a pair of small-town handymen living in a small desert community who stumble upon several difficult-to-explain phenomena including a couple of people who've died under extremely strange (and in one instance very grisly) circumstances. Eventually they and a handful of their neighbors find the cause: gigantic prehistoric worm-like creatures that streak under the desert the way fish swim through oceans reaching up and grabbing anything they need for food. Cut off from the outside world they have to figure out how to get across the desert alive while these creatures -- that are smart as well as fast -- close in on them stalking them like monster sharks. The film benefits from the presence of special effects that are good enough to pull this all off keeping the shock value high and also from a subtly humorous script and performances to match by the entire cast and director Ron Underwood's breezy pacing of the whole picture.

Tremors is actually two movies in one. On its own terms , it's an enjoyable modern sci - fi horror - thriller , with good pacing and a sense of humor ; but it's also a loving tribute to such 1950s low - budget desert - based sci - fi - horror films like Them! , It Came From Outer Space , Tarantula , and The Monolith Monsters . Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward are the stars , a pair of small - town handymen living in a small desert community , who stumble upon several difficult - to - explain phenomena , including a couple of people who've died under extremely strange ( and , in one instance , very grisly ) circumstances. Eventually , they and a handful of their neighbors find the cause : gigantic prehistoric worm - like creatures that streak under the desert the way fish swim through oceans , reaching up and grabbing anything they need for food. Cut off from the outside world , they have to figure out how to get across the desert alive while these creatures -- that are smart as well as fast -- close in on them , stalking them like monster sharks. The film benefits from the presence of special effects that are good enough to pull this all off , keeping the shock value high , and also from a subtly humorous script and performances to match by the entire cast , and director Ron Underwood 's breezy pacing of the whole picture.

A gripping exercise in body horror and social paranoia prolific Canadian director David Cronenberg's debut feature offers a startling look at modern isolationist society with a parasitic twist. When a scientist experimenting with a new form of organ transplants kills a young female resident of a fortress-like apartment complex before subsequently committing suicide the investigation into her death leads to a frightening discovery. Originally conceived by the misguided scientist in a bid to aid organ transplant an overzealous parasite quickly escapes into the complex in search of a host. One by one the unsuspecting residents fall prey to the parasite and the result is an aggressive horde of sex maniacs who will stop at nothing to satisfy their primal lust and pass the infection on through sexual contact. When the resident doctor learns the sinister truth behind the malevolent creation only one man stands between an apartment complex overflowing with id-driven zombies and the outside world. Will he be able to stop the rapidly spreading parasite before it escapes into society or is it only a matter of time until he too falls prey to its rapturous effects and gives in to the temptations of the flesh?

A gripping exercise in body horror and social paranoia , prolific Canadian director David Cronenberg 's debut feature offers a startling look at modern isolationist society with a parasitic twist. When a scientist experimenting with a new form of organ transplants kills a young female resident of a fortress - like apartment complex before subsequently committing suicide , the investigation into her death leads to a frightening discovery. Originally conceived by the misguided scientist in a bid to aid organ transplant , an overzealous parasite quickly escapes into the complex in search of a host. One by one , the unsuspecting residents fall prey to the parasite , and the result is an aggressive horde of sex maniacs who will stop at nothing to satisfy their primal lust and pass the infection on through sexual contact. When the resident doctor learns the sinister truth behind the malevolent creation , only one man stands between an apartment complex overflowing with id - driven zombies and the outside world. Will he be able to stop the rapidly spreading parasite before it escapes into society , or is it only a matter of time until he , too , falls prey to its rapturous effects and gives in to the temptations of the flesh?

The title of this David Cronenberg sci-fi horror film refers to a group of people who have telekinetic powers that allow them to read minds and give them the ability to make other people's heads explode. The children of a group of women who took an experimental tranquilizer during their pregnancies the scanners are now adults and have become outcasts from society. But Darryl (Michael Ironside) decides to create an army of scanners to take over the world. The only person who can stop him is his brother Cameron (Stephen Lack) who wants to forget that he was ever a scanner. Winner of the International Fantasy Film Award at the 1983 Fantasporto Film Festival Scanners was followed by a pair of sequels neither of which involved Cronenberg.

The title of this David Cronenberg sci - fi horror film refers to a group of people who have telekinetic powers that allow them to read minds and give them the ability to make other people's heads explode. The children of a group of women who took an experimental tranquilizer during their pregnancies , the scanners are now adults and have become outcasts from society. But Darryl ( Michael Ironside ) decides to create an army of scanners to take over the world. The only person who can stop him is his brother Cameron ( Stephen Lack ), who wants to forget that he was ever a scanner. Winner of the International Fantasy Film Award at the 1983 Fantasporto Film Festival , Scanners was followed by a pair of sequels , neither of which involved Cronenberg .

Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs) is a brilliant medical student who has perfected a green-glowing serum for regenerating life into dead things -- or even parts of dead things. But a corrupt superior Dr. Carl Hill (David Gale) assumes control of West's experiments and winds up by ghastly necessity using the stuff on his own severed head and body. West and in-over-his-head co-worker Dan Cain (Bruce Abbott) struggle to control the now out-of-control effects of the serum but the bone-saws and zombies complicate their plans.

Herbert West ( Jeffrey Combs ) is a brilliant medical student who has perfected a green - glowing serum for regenerating life into dead things -- or even parts of dead things. But a corrupt superior , Dr. Carl Hill ( David Gale ), assumes control of West's experiments and winds up , by ghastly necessity , using the stuff on his own severed head and body. West and in - over - his - head co - worker Dan Cain ( Bruce Abbott ) struggle to control the now out - of - control effects of the serum , but the bone - saws and zombies complicate their plans.

Although Roger Corman narrowly managed to avoid self-mockery in his pulpy flamboyant adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe tales it appears that the director chose this opportunity to let loose with outright parody; the result is a wonderfully entertaining romp with tongue planted firmly in cheek. The first screen teaming of legendary horror stars Boris Karloff Vincent Price and Peter Lorre -- later billed as "The Triumvirate of Terror" -- this so-called "adaptation" uses Poe's most famous poem as a springboard for Grand Guignol comedy from scriptwriter Richard Matheson. Melancholy magician Erasmus Craven (Price) having recently relinquished his membership in the Brotherhood of Sorcerers after the apparent death of his wife Lenore (Hazel Court) is paid a visit by a foul-mouthed talking raven claiming to be small-time wizard Adolphus Bedlo (Lorre). After some persuasion Craven returns Bedlo to human form reversing a spell placed by the evil Dr. Scarabus (Karloff) Craven's chief rival. After learning that a woman bearing a strong likeness to Lenore was seen in the Doctor's company Craven accompanies Bedlo to Scarabus' castle where the resulting battle of wills escalates into all-out magical warfare between the two embittered sorcerers. Corman and company relished the opportunity to poke fun at the staid Poe series and the distinguished leads contribute to the spirit of fun by lampooning their own cinematic reputations. Fans of Jack Nicholson (who cut his acting teeth on this and other AIP productions) should enjoy his melodramatic performance here as Bedlo's straight-arrow son; Nicholson would later co-star with Karloff in Corman's The Terror which was shot in two days using the same sets!

Although Roger Corman narrowly managed to avoid self - mockery in his pulpy , flamboyant adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe tales , it appears that the director chose this opportunity to let loose with outright parody ; the result is a wonderfully entertaining romp with tongue planted firmly in cheek. The first screen teaming of legendary horror stars Boris Karloff , Vincent Price , and Peter Lorre -- later billed as "The Triumvirate of Terror" -- this so - called "adaptation" uses Poe 's most famous poem as a springboard for Grand Guignol comedy from scriptwriter Richard Matheson . Melancholy magician Erasmus Craven ( Price ), having recently relinquished his membership in the Brotherhood of Sorcerers after the apparent death of his wife Lenore ( Hazel Court ), is paid a visit by a foul - mouthed talking raven , claiming to be small - time wizard Adolphus Bedlo ( Lorre ) . After some persuasion , Craven returns Bedlo to human form , reversing a spell placed by the evil Dr. Scarabus ( Karloff ), Craven's chief rival. After learning that a woman bearing a strong likeness to Lenore was seen in the Doctor's company , Craven accompanies Bedlo to Scarabus' castle , where the resulting battle of wills escalates into all - out magical warfare between the two embittered sorcerers. Corman and company relished the opportunity to poke fun at the staid Poe series , and the distinguished leads contribute to the spirit of fun by lampooning their own cinematic reputations. Fans of Jack Nicholson ( who cut his acting teeth on this and other AIP productions ) should enjoy his melodramatic performance here as Bedlo's straight - arrow son ; Nicholson would later co - star with Karloff in Corman 's The Terror , which was shot in two days using the same sets!

Satan's son has arrived on Earth and He's not about to let human parents get in the way. When his wife Katherine's (Lee Remick) pregnancy ends in a stillbirth in a Rome hospital U.S. diplomat Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) substitutes another baby whose mother died. Little Damien (Harvey Stephens) thrives but at his fifth birthday party his nanny mysteriously dies; Father Brennan (Patrick G. Troughton) also expires after warning Thorn that he has adopted Lucifer's son. While sinister new nanny Mrs. Baylock (Billie Whitelaw) assiduously protects Damien Thorn's fears escalate when photographer Jennings (David Warner) shows him pictures from Damien's party with marks suggesting how the nanny and Brennan would die. Thorn seeks out Bugenhagen (Leo McKern) an exorcist who confirms Damien's identity and tells Thorn that the only solution is to kill his adopted son. As the bodies pile up Thorn tries to do his duty but trust the law to get in the way of saving the world from future Armageddon.

Satan's son has arrived on Earth and He's not about to let human parents get in the way. When his wife Katherine's ( Lee Remick ) pregnancy ends in a stillbirth in a Rome hospital , U.S. diplomat Robert Thorn ( Gregory Peck ) substitutes another baby , whose mother died. Little Damien ( Harvey Stephens ) thrives , but , at his fifth birthday party , his nanny mysteriously dies ; Father Brennan ( Patrick G. Troughton ) also expires after warning Thorn that he has adopted Lucifer's son. While sinister new nanny Mrs. Baylock ( Billie Whitelaw ) assiduously protects Damien , Thorn's fears escalate when photographer Jennings ( David Warner ) shows him pictures from Damien's party with marks suggesting how the nanny and Brennan would die. Thorn seeks out Bugenhagen ( Leo McKern ), an exorcist who confirms Damien's identity and tells Thorn that the only solution is to kill his adopted son. As the bodies pile up , Thorn tries to do his duty , but trust the law to get in the way of saving the world from future Armageddon.

Multimedia horror maven Clive Barker followed the success of his feature directorial debut Hellraiser with this equally surreal effort based on his novella Cabal. The story involves the plight of Aaron Boone (Craig Sheffer) a young man tormented by visions of monstrous graveyard-dwelling creatures. Seeking the aid of his clinically cold therapist Dr. Decker (played by Canadian horror auteur David Cronenberg) in deciphering his nightmares Boone becomes convinced that his frequent blackouts are linked to a recent spate of mutilation murders in the area. His frantic search for the truth leads him to the subterranean city of Midian the dwelling place of a mythical race of undead nocturnal monsters known as the "Nightbreed." But it is only after he is cornered and shot dead by police that Boone's real journey begins -- he finds himself resurrected as one of the Breed and initiated into Midian's inner circle where his latent supernatural powers are unleashed leading to his realization of Dr. Decker's sinister role in the murders for which he was framed. Though Barker's unique and graphic vision is somewhat blunted by choppy editing (thanks to relentless tampering from the studio) this is nevertheless a fine sophomore project from a talented storyteller; the central conceit of presenting the monsters as the "good guys" -- at least compared to the gun-and-bible-toting lunatics who hunt them -- is handled with verve and originality.

Multimedia horror maven Clive Barker followed the success of his feature directorial debut , Hellraiser , with this equally surreal effort , based on his novella Cabal . The story involves the plight of Aaron Boone ( Craig Sheffer ), a young man tormented by visions of monstrous , graveyard - dwelling creatures. Seeking the aid of his clinically cold therapist Dr. Decker ( played by Canadian horror auteur David Cronenberg ) in deciphering his nightmares , Boone becomes convinced that his frequent blackouts are linked to a recent spate of mutilation murders in the area. His frantic search for the truth leads him to the subterranean city of Midian , the dwelling place of a mythical race of undead nocturnal monsters known as the "Nightbreed." But it is only after he is cornered and shot dead by police that Boone's real journey begins -- he finds himself resurrected as one of the Breed and initiated into Midian's inner circle , where his latent supernatural powers are unleashed , leading to his realization of Dr. Decker's sinister role in the murders for which he was framed. Though Barker 's unique and graphic vision is somewhat blunted by choppy editing ( thanks to relentless tampering from the studio ), this is nevertheless a fine sophomore project from a talented storyteller ; the central conceit of presenting the monsters as the "good guys" -- at least compared to the gun - and - bible - toting lunatics who hunt them -- is handled with verve and originality.

In Kathryn Bigelow's tale of vampires in the American Southwest the creatures of the night aren't elegant cloaked aristocrats. They're a gun-toting gang that dresses and acts like a motorcycle gang. Caleb (Adrian Pasdar) a restless young man from a small farm town meets an alluring drifter named Mae (Jenny Wright). She reveals herself to be a vampire who "turns" Caleb into one of her kind rather than kill him. But the rest of her "family" is slow to accept the newcomer. The ancient leader Jesse (Lance Henriksen) and his psychotic henchman Severen (Bill Paxton) lay down the law; Caleb has to carry his own weight or die. However he can't bring himself to kill. He manages to win the gang's approval when he rescues them from certain death in a daytime gunfight during a spectacular motel shoot-out in which every bullet hole lets in a deadly ray of sunlight. When the vampires threaten Caleb's real family he's forced to choose between life and death. The film avoids the complex vampire mythology of such films as Interview with the Vampire. Instead it emphasizes the intense seductive bond that forms between Caleb and the violent but tightly knit gang. Bigelow would later utilize this powerful dramatic device in her 1991 film Point Break.

In Kathryn Bigelow 's tale of vampires in the American Southwest , the creatures of the night aren't elegant , cloaked aristocrats. They're a gun - toting gang that dresses and acts like a motorcycle gang. Caleb ( Adrian Pasdar ), a restless young man from a small farm town , meets an alluring drifter named Mae ( Jenny Wright ) . She reveals herself to be a vampire , who "turns" Caleb into one of her kind rather than kill him. But the rest of her "family" is slow to accept the newcomer. The ancient leader , Jesse ( Lance Henriksen ), and his psychotic henchman Severen ( Bill Paxton ) lay down the law ; Caleb has to carry his own weight or die. However , he can't bring himself to kill. He manages to win the gang's approval when he rescues them from certain death in a daytime gunfight during a spectacular motel shoot - out in which every bullet hole lets in a deadly ray of sunlight. When the vampires threaten Caleb's real family , he's forced to choose between life and death. The film avoids the complex vampire mythology of such films as Interview with the Vampire . Instead , it emphasizes the intense , seductive bond that forms between Caleb and the violent but tightly knit gang. Bigelow would later utilize this powerful dramatic device in her 1991 film Point Break .

This groundbreaking darkly comic horror film from director Joe Dante changed the look and feel of werewolf movies in ways light-years distant from Universal's horror classic The Wolf Man. The story begins with television reporter/anchor Karen White (Dee Wallace) taking part in a dangerous police operation intended to trap psychopath Eddie Quist (Robert Picardo). When confronted by Eddie face to face she witnesses something horrifying enough to trigger selective amnesia. Plagued by a series of violent nightmares Karen decides to admit herself to a posh recovery resort known only as "The Colony" run by her eccentric New Age therapist Dr. Waggner (Patrick MacNee) and brings along her husband Bill (Christopher Stone) for support. The night after they arrive Karen and Bill are unnerved by eerie howling in the woods. Back in the city Karen's co-workers Chris (Dennis Dugan) and Terry (Belinda Balaski) have been investigating Eddie's background after discovering that his body has disappeared from the morgue. Sifting through Eddie's possessions they find a strange collection of artwork depicting wolf-like creatures and decide to consult with Walter Paisley (Dick Miller of course) the owner of an occult bookshop on werewolf lore. Though he claims not to believe in the stuff he's selling Paisley nevertheless convinces Chris to purchase a handful of silver bullets...just in case. Back at the colony Dr. Waggner has organized a hunting party after hearing Karen's account of the nocturnal howling but the men find nothing but a rabbit which Bill is told to bring to the cabin of the sultry Marsha (Elisabeth Brooks) to prepare for dinner. After resisting Marsha's less-than-subtle sexual overtures Bill is attacked by a wolf while returning to his cabin. The following moonlit night the sleepless Bill wanders outside to find Marsha waiting and the two make love by the campfire their bodies undergoing a frightening transformation. Just as Karen is beginning to suspect that her husband is hiding a secret far more threatening than marital infidelity Chris and Terry have come to realize -- too late in Terry's case -- that Eddie Quist is not only still alive but not quite human...and he knows he's being followed. Chris arrives at the colony too late to save Terry but manages to find Karen just as the colony's residents -- all of whom are werewolves including Dr. Waggner -- are assembling to decide her fate. Dante fills his film with heartfelt homages to The Wolf Man and other classic horror movies as well as a few clever visual puns and in-jokes from his tenure with Roger Corman but never strays from the path to genuine horror particularly when Rob Bottin's chilling monsters are onscreen.

This groundbreaking , darkly comic horror film from director Joe Dante changed the look and feel of werewolf movies in ways light - years distant from Universal's horror classic The Wolf Man . The story begins with television reporter / anchor Karen White ( Dee Wallace ) taking part in a dangerous police operation intended to trap psychopath Eddie Quist ( Robert Picardo ) . When confronted by Eddie face to face , she witnesses something horrifying enough to trigger selective amnesia. Plagued by a series of violent nightmares , Karen decides to admit herself to a posh recovery resort known only as "The Colony , " run by her eccentric New Age therapist , Dr. Waggner ( Patrick MacNee ), and brings along her husband , Bill ( Christopher Stone ), for support. The night after they arrive , Karen and Bill are unnerved by eerie howling in the woods. Back in the city , Karen's co - workers Chris ( Dennis Dugan ) and Terry ( Belinda Balaski ) have been investigating Eddie's background after discovering that his body has disappeared from the morgue. Sifting through Eddie's possessions , they find a strange collection of artwork depicting wolf - like creatures , and decide to consult with Walter Paisley ( Dick Miller , of course ), the owner of an occult bookshop , on werewolf lore. Though he claims not to believe in the stuff he's selling , Paisley nevertheless convinces Chris to purchase a handful of silver bullets...just in case. Back at the colony , Dr. Waggner has organized a hunting party after hearing Karen's account of the nocturnal howling , but the men find nothing but a rabbit , which Bill is told to bring to the cabin of the sultry Marsha ( Elisabeth Brooks ) to prepare for dinner. After resisting Marsha's less - than - subtle sexual overtures , Bill is attacked by a wolf while returning to his cabin. The following moonlit night , the sleepless Bill wanders outside to find Marsha waiting and the two make love by the campfire , their bodies undergoing a frightening transformation. Just as Karen is beginning to suspect that her husband is hiding a secret far more threatening than marital infidelity , Chris and Terry have come to realize -- too late , in Terry's case -- that Eddie Quist is not only still alive , but not quite human...and he knows he's being followed. Chris arrives at the colony too late to save Terry , but manages to find Karen just as the colony's residents -- all of whom are werewolves , including Dr. Waggner -- are assembling to decide her fate. Dante fills his film with heartfelt homages to The Wolf Man and other classic horror movies , as well as a few clever visual puns and in - jokes from his tenure with Roger Corman , but never strays from the path to genuine horror , particularly when Rob Bottin 's chilling monsters are onscreen.

This high-octane semi-sequel to Sam Raimi's cult hit The Evil Dead has nearly eclipsed its predecessor's reputation thanks to an endless barrage of hyperkinetic camera acrobatics rapid-fire editing and "splatstick" gore effects ... not to mention a truly goofy performance by Bruce Campbell. Nearly the entire storyline of the previous film has been re-shot and presented in a drastically condensed form within the first few minutes: rock-jawed but clueless "hero" Ash (Campbell) now visits the mountain cabin only with girlfriend Linda (played here by Denise Bixler). Upon arrival at the cabin Ash discovers the Sumerian Book of the Dead the ritual dagger and a reel-to-reel tape containing the professor's translations of the book's hieroglyphics. The incantations summon an unseen growling spirit from within the woods which bursts into the cabin and takes possession of Linda's soul. Ash is forced to decapitate her with a shovel after which he buries her in the forest. At first dawn Ash tries to make his escape but is promptly set upon by the spirits given a solid thrashing and nearly possessed himself saved only by the arrival of sunlight. Cut off from the outside world Ash is forced to hole up in the cabin and wait for the next demonic onslaught -- which arrives sooner than expected led by Linda's rotting corpse. After being bitten by Linda's chatty decapitated head Ash's hand becomes independent of his body and begins pummeling him repeatedly. The story then jumps to a local airport where the professor's daughter Annie (Sarah Berry) and her partner Ed Getley (Richard Domeier) have just arrived with the missing pages to the Necronomicon. They employ a cranky pair of local rednecks Jake (Dan Hicks) and Bobbie Joe (Kassie Wesley) as guides to lead them through the dense woods to the cabin ... where at that very moment Ash is removing his belligerent hand with a chainsaw creating yet another ambulatory foe. Driven to the brink of insanity Ash fires blindly at a noise outside unaware that the new arrivals are Annie and company. Bobbie Joe is injured by the gunshot which incurs the wrath of Jake who knocks Ash senseless and locks him in the fruit cellar. Believing her father was murdered by Ash Annie plays the rest of the professor's recording to learn the truth and discovers her possessed mother was buried in the same cellar -- and not exactly resting in peace. This touches off a string of unbelievably gruesome (and hysterically funny) events including Henrietta's transformation into a stop-motion creature (reminiscent of a Ray Harryhausen creation) Ed's sudden metamorphosis into a toothy levitating ghoul and Ash's climactic confrontation with the forest demon itself. The obvious glee with which Raimi and company present this cavalcade of slime-drenched monstrosities and Three Stooges pratfalls makes it impossible to take seriously as a horror film but Evil Dead 2 is nevertheless essential viewing among connoisseurs of truly demented cinema. The film's sardonic coda opened the way for a slightly less successful sequel Army of Darkness.

This high - octane semi - sequel to Sam Raimi 's cult hit The Evil Dead has nearly eclipsed its predecessor's reputation thanks to an endless barrage of hyperkinetic camera acrobatics , rapid - fire editing and "splatstick" gore effects ... not to mention a truly goofy performance by Bruce Campbell . Nearly the entire storyline of the previous film has been re - shot and presented in a drastically condensed form within the first few minutes : rock - jawed but clueless "hero" Ash ( Campbell ) now visits the mountain cabin only with girlfriend Linda ( played here by Denise Bixler ) . Upon arrival at the cabin , Ash discovers the Sumerian Book of the Dead , the ritual dagger and a reel - to - reel tape containing the professor's translations of the book's hieroglyphics. The incantations summon an unseen , growling spirit from within the woods , which bursts into the cabin and takes possession of Linda's soul. Ash is forced to decapitate her with a shovel , after which he buries her in the forest. At first dawn , Ash tries to make his escape , but is promptly set upon by the spirits , given a solid thrashing and nearly possessed himself , saved only by the arrival of sunlight. Cut off from the outside world , Ash is forced to hole up in the cabin and wait for the next demonic onslaught -- which arrives sooner than expected , led by Linda's rotting corpse. After being bitten by Linda's chatty decapitated head , Ash's hand becomes independent of his body and begins pummeling him repeatedly. The story then jumps to a local airport , where the professor's daughter Annie ( Sarah Berry ) and her partner Ed Getley ( Richard Domeier ) have just arrived with the missing pages to the Necronomicon. They employ a cranky pair of local rednecks , Jake ( Dan Hicks ) and Bobbie Joe ( Kassie Wesley ), as guides to lead them through the dense woods to the cabin ... where , at that very moment , Ash is removing his belligerent hand with a chainsaw , creating yet another ambulatory foe. Driven to the brink of insanity , Ash fires blindly at a noise outside , unaware that the new arrivals are Annie and company. Bobbie Joe is injured by the gunshot , which incurs the wrath of Jake , who knocks Ash senseless and locks him in the fruit cellar. Believing her father was murdered by Ash , Annie plays the rest of the professor's recording to learn the truth , and discovers her possessed mother was buried in the same cellar -- and not exactly resting in peace. This touches off a string of unbelievably gruesome ( and hysterically funny ) events , including Henrietta's transformation into a stop - motion creature ( reminiscent of a Ray Harryhausen creation ), Ed's sudden metamorphosis into a toothy , levitating ghoul , and Ash's climactic confrontation with the forest demon itself. The obvious glee with which Raimi and company present this cavalcade of slime - drenched monstrosities and Three Stooges pratfalls makes it impossible to take seriously as a horror film , but Evil Dead 2 is nevertheless essential viewing among connoisseurs of truly demented cinema. The film's sardonic coda opened the way for a slightly less successful sequel , Army of Darkness .

In this stylish supernatural horror story Hitch (Robert Burke) a mysterious loner wanders the deserts of the African nation of Nambia as he searches for the lost and suicidal. Hitch is wanted by the police in connection with the death a woman whose blood was used in a strange magic ceremony. A shaman consulted by the police and a pathologist investigating the killing believe that Hitch is a "Dust Devil" an evil spirit who can shift shape at will taking the form of a man when it's convenient. Meanwhile Hitch encounters Wendy (Chelsea Field) a woman who is despondent after the collapse of her marriage. Wendy gives him a ride along a lonely highway and later that night as Wendy contemplates suicide Hitch waits patiently outside her door. The next day Wendy runs into Hitch again and casually looks through his bag to discover that it's filled with human fingers. Convinced that Hitch is no harmless eccentric she tries to escape but she discovers that he's difficult to get away from; meanwhile Mark (Rufus Swart) Wendy's ex-husband is searching for her convinced that she's fallen victim to foul play. Dust Devil has been released in a number of different forms; the original European cut ran 125 minutes while the American version which features redubbed voices and a different narration ran only 87. The "final cut" prepared by director Richard Stanley meanwhile is 103 minutes in length.

In this stylish supernatural horror story , Hitch ( Robert Burke ), a mysterious loner , wanders the deserts of the African nation of Nambia as he searches for the lost and suicidal. Hitch is wanted by the police in connection with the death a woman whose blood was used in a strange magic ceremony. A shaman consulted by the police and a pathologist investigating the killing believe that Hitch is a "Dust Devil , " an evil spirit who can shift shape at will , taking the form of a man when it's convenient. Meanwhile , Hitch encounters Wendy ( Chelsea Field ), a woman who is despondent after the collapse of her marriage. Wendy gives him a ride along a lonely highway , and later that night , as Wendy contemplates suicide , Hitch waits patiently outside her door. The next day , Wendy runs into Hitch again and casually looks through his bag to discover that it's filled with human fingers. Convinced that Hitch is no harmless eccentric , she tries to escape , but she discovers that he's difficult to get away from ; meanwhile , Mark ( Rufus Swart ), Wendy's ex - husband , is searching for her , convinced that she's fallen victim to foul play. Dust Devil has been released in a number of different forms ; the original European cut ran 125 minutes , while the American version , which features redubbed voices and a different narration , ran only 87. The "final cut" prepared by director Richard Stanley , meanwhile , is 103 minutes in length.

Director Peter Jackson's second feature cheerfully trumps the gross-out quotient of his splatterfest debut the appropriately named Bad Taste. The tone is cartoonishly comic and the premise is simple: The village dweeb (Timothy Balme) is trying to maintain a budding romance with the sweet Paquita (Diana Penalver) while concealing the fact that his overbearing mum (Elizabeth Moody in an amazing good-sport performance) is a flesh-eating zombie. (She owes her condition to a bite from a "Sumatran Rat Monkey" at the local zoo.) Complicating matters even further is Les a greedy uncle (Ian Watkin) who suspects that his sister has died and is eager to occupy her elegantly furnished Victorian mansion. The climax is a housewarming party Les throws to celebrate his "inheritance;" what he really gets is his comeuppance thanks to his sister and her similarly afflicted zombie pals who burst out of their basement prison to turn the guests into appetizers. Our hero finally cuts a wide swath through the zombie party crashers with the help of a rotary blade lawn mower leaving the house awash in blood and body parts in order to save his romance.

Director Peter Jackson 's second feature cheerfully trumps the gross - out quotient of his splatterfest debut , the appropriately named Bad Taste . The tone is cartoonishly comic , and the premise is simple : The village dweeb ( Timothy Balme ) is trying to maintain a budding romance with the sweet Paquita ( Diana Penalver ) while concealing the fact that his overbearing mum ( Elizabeth Moody , in an amazing good - sport performance ) is a flesh - eating zombie. ( She owes her condition to a bite from a "Sumatran Rat Monkey" at the local zoo. ) Complicating matters even further is Les , a greedy uncle ( Ian Watkin ), who suspects that his sister has died and is eager to occupy her elegantly furnished Victorian mansion. The climax is a housewarming party Les throws to celebrate his "inheritance ; " what he really gets is his comeuppance , thanks to his sister and her similarly afflicted zombie pals , who burst out of their basement prison to turn the guests into appetizers. Our hero finally cuts a wide swath through the zombie party crashers with the help of a rotary blade lawn mower , leaving the house awash in blood and body parts in order to save his romance.

The story begins as an innocuous romantic triangle involving wealthy spoiled Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren) handsome Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor) and schoolteacher Annie Hayworth (Suzanne Pleshette). The human story begins in a San Francisco pet shop and culminates at the home of Mitch's mother (Jessica Tandy) at Bodega Bay where the characters' sense of security is slowly eroded by the curious behavior of the birds in the area. At first it's no more than a sea gull swooping down and pecking at Melanie's head. Things take a truly ugly turn when hundreds of birds converge on a children's party. There is never an explanation as to why the birds have run amok but once the onslaught begins there's virtually no letup.

The story begins as an innocuous romantic triangle involving wealthy , spoiled Melanie Daniels ( Tippi Hedren ), handsome Mitch Brenner ( Rod Taylor ), and schoolteacher Annie Hayworth ( Suzanne Pleshette ) . The human story begins in a San Francisco pet shop and culminates at the home of Mitch's mother ( Jessica Tandy ) at Bodega Bay , where the characters' sense of security is slowly eroded by the curious behavior of the birds in the area. At first , it's no more than a sea gull swooping down and pecking at Melanie's head. Things take a truly ugly turn when hundreds of birds converge on a children's party. There is never an explanation as to why the birds have run amok , but once the onslaught begins , there's virtually no letup.

While wandering the English moors on vacation college yanks David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne) happen upon a quaint pub with a mysterious patronage who warn them not to leave the road when walking after dark. Irreverent of such advice as characters in horror films always are the two decide to find a short cut....David wakes up in the hospital with a nasty bite wound to his shoulder; the freshly deceased and rapidly decomposing Jack arrives soon after to deliver the grim news that unless he commits suicide David will become a werewolf when the moon is full. David dismisses the encounter as a hallucination but all indicators point to lycanthrope; evenings of barking and bloodletting follow closely behind. While the story is thin and much of the tongue-in-cheek humor is overdone there are plenty of genuine jolts thanks to makeup guru Rick Baker's eye-popping special effects. The werewolf resembling a cross between a bear and a wolverine appears frighteningly real and given the fantastic premise the gore is most convincing (although surprisingly and refreshingly scant). The hospital dream sequences are creative and the scenes in which the werewolf runs rampant through downtown London are particularly good. In all An American Werewolf in London is an original atmospheric film that manages both to scare and amuse. While dismissed by most American critics upon its release the film managed to secure a place in the annals of American cinema when Baker won an Academy Award for his amazing effects and creature designs.

While wandering the English moors on vacation , college yanks David ( David Naughton ) and Jack ( Griffin Dunne ) happen upon a quaint pub with a mysterious patronage who warn them not to leave the road when walking after dark. Irreverent of such advice as characters in horror films always are , the two decide to find a short cut....David wakes up in the hospital with a nasty bite wound to his shoulder ; the freshly deceased , and rapidly decomposing , Jack arrives soon after to deliver the grim news that , unless he commits suicide , David will become a werewolf when the moon is full. David dismisses the encounter as a hallucination , but all indicators point to lycanthrope ; evenings of barking and bloodletting follow closely behind. While the story is thin and much of the tongue - in - cheek humor is overdone , there are plenty of genuine jolts thanks to makeup guru Rick Baker 's eye - popping special effects. The werewolf , resembling a cross between a bear and a wolverine , appears frighteningly real , and , given the fantastic premise , the gore is most convincing ( although surprisingly and refreshingly scant ) . The hospital dream sequences are creative , and the scenes in which the werewolf runs rampant through downtown London are particularly good. In all , An American Werewolf in London is an original , atmospheric film that manages both to scare and amuse. While dismissed by most American critics upon its release , the film managed to secure a place in the annals of American cinema when Baker won an Academy Award for his amazing effects and creature designs.

Washington Irving's tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman gets a few new twists in a screen adaptation directed by Tim Burton. In this version Ichabod (Johnny Depp) is a New York City detective whose unorthodox techniques and penchant for gadgets make him unpopular with is colleagues. He is sent to the remote town of Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of bizarre murders in which a number of people have been found dead in the woods with their heads cut off. Local legend has it that a Hessian ghost rides through the woods on horseback lopping off the heads of the unsuspecting and unbelieving. Ichabod refuses to believe in this legend convinced that there must be a logical explanation for the murders. In time Ichabod becomes smitten with a local lass Katrina Van Tassel (Christina Ricci) who is the sweetheart of the burly Brom Bones (Casper Van Dien) and he becomes determined to capture the murderer to prove his bravery and win her heart. Christopher Walken Jeffrey Jones and Christopher Lee highlight the supporting cast; Lee's appearance is particularly apt since Burton has cited the Hammer films of the 1960s as a major influence in making this film. Andrew Kevin Walker and Tom Stoppard contributed to the screenplay.

Washington Irving's tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman gets a few new twists in a screen adaptation directed by Tim Burton . In this version , Ichabod ( Johnny Depp ) is a New York City detective whose unorthodox techniques and penchant for gadgets make him unpopular with is colleagues. He is sent to the remote town of Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of bizarre murders , in which a number of people have been found dead in the woods , with their heads cut off. Local legend has it that a Hessian ghost rides through the woods on horseback , lopping off the heads of the unsuspecting and unbelieving. Ichabod refuses to believe in this legend , convinced that there must be a logical explanation for the murders. In time , Ichabod becomes smitten with a local lass , Katrina Van Tassel ( Christina Ricci ), who is the sweetheart of the burly Brom Bones ( Casper Van Dien ), and he becomes determined to capture the murderer to prove his bravery and win her heart. Christopher Walken , Jeffrey Jones , and Christopher Lee highlight the supporting cast ; Lee's appearance is particularly apt , since Burton has cited the Hammer films of the 1960s as a major influence in making this film. Andrew Kevin Walker and Tom Stoppard contributed to the screenplay.

A scientist stricken with an insatiable hunger for blood dominates this strikingly atmospheric drama. Dr. Hess Green (Duane Jones) a wealthy and respected African-American anthropologist is assigned a new assistant an intelligent but unstable man named George Meda (Bill Gunn). One drunken night George stabs Hess with a dagger from the ancient African tribe of Myrthia and then kills himself. The Myrthians were cursed with a thirst for human blood and by the time George's wife Ganja (Marlene Clark) comes looking for him Hess has developed a similar addiction to blood. Hess and Ganja fall in love and they soon marry but Hess infects his new bride with the Myrthian curse which gives them eternal life but at a terrible price. Actor playwright and novelist Bill Gunn was hired to write and direct a low-budget black vampire movie but instead he delivered a thoughtful impressionistic film that uses addiction to blood as a metaphor for African-American cultural and spiritual identity (and never once uses the word "vampire"). Ganja and Hess proved too deliberately paced and self-consciously surreal for the producers who chopped it to 83 minutes removed Sam Waymon's superb musical score and retitled it Blood Couple. This mangled version was for many years the only one available and it appeared under six different titles on home video before Bill Gunn's original version was restored for DVD release in 1998.

A scientist stricken with an insatiable hunger for blood dominates this strikingly atmospheric drama. Dr. Hess Green ( Duane Jones ), a wealthy and respected African - American anthropologist , is assigned a new assistant , an intelligent but unstable man named George Meda ( Bill Gunn ) . One drunken night , George stabs Hess with a dagger from the ancient African tribe of Myrthia and then kills himself. The Myrthians were cursed with a thirst for human blood , and , by the time George's wife , Ganja ( Marlene Clark ), comes looking for him , Hess has developed a similar addiction to blood. Hess and Ganja fall in love , and they soon marry , but Hess infects his new bride with the Myrthian curse , which gives them eternal life , but at a terrible price. Actor , playwright , and novelist Bill Gunn was hired to write and direct a low - budget black vampire movie , but instead he delivered a thoughtful , impressionistic film that uses addiction to blood as a metaphor for African - American cultural and spiritual identity ( and never once uses the word "vampire" ) . Ganja and Hess proved too deliberately paced and self - consciously surreal for the producers , who chopped it to 83 minutes , removed Sam Waymon 's superb musical score , and retitled it Blood Couple . This mangled version was for many years the only one available , and it appeared under six different titles on home video before Bill Gunn 's original version was restored for DVD release in 1998.

Dario Argento leaves a distinct and bloody impression with this Italian horror film that took the slasher genre to graphic new limits at the time of its release. Novelist Peter Neal (Anthony Franciosa) jets into Rome to promote his new book. Simultaneously a killer obsessed with Neal begins a brutal series of murders that are followed by cryptic notes to the author. Inspector Germani (Giuliano Gemma) questions Neal who then begins his own investigation into the bizarre case with the help of his assistant Anne (Daria Nicolodi) and local youth Gianni (Christian Borromeo). Neal and Gianni follow leads to the home of a TV talk-show host (John Steiner) who is axed to death in front of Gianni while Neal is knocked unconscious. As they close in on the killer flashbacks show the killer's murderous beginnings and an obsession with red shoes. Meanwhile Neal's publicist Bullmer (John Saxon) is revealed to be having an affair with the author's ex-lover Jane (Veronica Lario) making them both potential suspects. Inspector Germani insists that Neal leave town but even when he does the killer strikes again knifing Bullmer in broad daylight. At the same time Gianni returns to the home of the dead talk-show host and recalls an important detail about the murder. However he is strangled before he can tell anyone. At her apartment Jane is brutally slain just as Inspector Germani arrives to discover the murderer's identity along with the shocking twist-filled truth behind the entire case.

Dario Argento leaves a distinct and bloody impression with this Italian horror film that took the slasher genre to graphic new limits at the time of its release. Novelist Peter Neal ( Anthony Franciosa ) jets into Rome to promote his new book. Simultaneously , a killer obsessed with Neal begins a brutal series of murders that are followed by cryptic notes to the author. Inspector Germani ( Giuliano Gemma ) questions Neal , who then begins his own investigation into the bizarre case with the help of his assistant , Anne ( Daria Nicolodi ), and local youth Gianni ( Christian Borromeo ) . Neal and Gianni follow leads to the home of a TV talk - show host ( John Steiner ), who is axed to death in front of Gianni while Neal is knocked unconscious. As they close in on the killer , flashbacks show the killer's murderous beginnings and an obsession with red shoes. Meanwhile , Neal's publicist , Bullmer ( John Saxon ), is revealed to be having an affair with the author's ex - lover , Jane ( Veronica Lario ), making them both potential suspects. Inspector Germani insists that Neal leave town , but even when he does , the killer strikes again , knifing Bullmer in broad daylight. At the same time , Gianni returns to the home of the dead talk - show host and recalls an important detail about the murder. However , he is strangled before he can tell anyone. At her apartment , Jane is brutally slain just as Inspector Germani arrives to discover the murderer's identity , along with the shocking , twist - filled truth behind the entire case.

After a carnival comes to Green Town the good citizens are compelled to follow their deepest desires caught under the spell of the malevolent Dr. Dark (Jonathan Pryce) who can grant those desires on one condition: that the grantees will forever join his freak show. Dr. Dark is after two young boys from the town in particular while others in the town would certainly be easy marks. The sour-faced older schoolteacher (Mary Grace Canfield) wants to be a seductive young woman Ed the bartender (James Stacy) would like to regain his lost left arm and leg and the librarian (Jason Robards) worries about a wasted life spent only in books. As Dr. Dark works his own brand of voodoo the citizens and the two boys -- as well as the whole carnival itself -- approach a final reckoning. Something Wicked This Way Comes was based on a Ray Bradbury novel.

After a carnival comes to Green Town , the good citizens are compelled to follow their deepest desires , caught under the spell of the malevolent Dr. Dark ( Jonathan Pryce ) who can grant those desires on one condition : that the grantees will forever join his freak show. Dr. Dark is after two young boys from the town in particular , while others in the town would certainly be easy marks. The sour - faced , older schoolteacher ( Mary Grace Canfield ) wants to be a seductive young woman , Ed the bartender ( James Stacy ) would like to regain his lost left arm and leg , and the librarian ( Jason Robards ) worries about a wasted life spent only in books. As Dr. Dark works his own brand of voodoo , the citizens and the two boys -- as well as the whole carnival itself -- approach a final reckoning. Something Wicked This Way Comes was based on a Ray Bradbury novel.

Horror maven Wes Craven attempted a slight change of pace from his usual slasher movie milieu with this chiller loosely based on a true story. Bill Pullman stars as Dennis Alan a Harvard researcher sent to Haiti by a pharmaceutical company to investigate the zombie legend and any possible connection it might have to a rumored drug that could be used as a new breed of powerful anaesthetic. Once on the Caribbean isle Alan is aided by a good voodoo priest or "houngan" (Paul Winfield) and his daughter (Cathy Tyson) who runs a local clinic. Alan's search also pits him against an evil houngan Dargent Peytraud (Zakes Mokae). Peytraud also controls the Tonton Macoute (the Haitian secret police) who are involved with soon-to-be-deposed dictator "Baby Doc" Duvalier. The Serpent and the Rainbow was based on the book of the same name by Wade Davis an ethnobotanist whose real-life hunt for the zombie drug was credited with cracking the medical mystery behind the myth.

Horror maven Wes Craven attempted a slight change of pace from his usual slasher movie milieu with this chiller loosely based on a true story. Bill Pullman stars as Dennis Alan , a Harvard researcher sent to Haiti by a pharmaceutical company to investigate the zombie legend and any possible connection it might have to a rumored drug that could be used as a new breed of powerful anaesthetic. Once on the Caribbean isle , Alan is aided by a good voodoo priest or "houngan" ( Paul Winfield ) and his daughter ( Cathy Tyson ), who runs a local clinic. Alan's search also pits him against an evil houngan , Dargent Peytraud ( Zakes Mokae ) . Peytraud also controls the Tonton Macoute ( the Haitian secret police ), who are involved with soon - to - be - deposed dictator "Baby Doc" Duvalier. The Serpent and the Rainbow was based on the book of the same name by Wade Davis , an ethnobotanist whose real - life hunt for the zombie drug was credited with cracking the medical mystery behind the myth.

Perhaps the greatest movie ever shot in two days Little Shop of Horrors was originally conceived as a followup to Roger Corman's black comedy A Bucket of Blood (1959). Jonathan Haze plays Seymour Krelboin a schlemiel's schlemiel who works at the Skid Row flower shop of Mr. Mushnick (Mel Welles). Experimenting in his spare time Seymour develops a new plant species that he hopes will lead him to fame and fortune. Unfortunately the mutated plant -- named Audrey Junior in honor of Seymour's girlfriend Audrey (Jackie Joseph) -- subsists on blood and human flesh. It also talks or rather commands: "Feed Me! FEEEEED ME!" Before long the luckless Seymour has fed his plant the bodies of a railroad detective a sadistic dentist and a flashy trollop. Meanwhile Mr. Mushnik who has stumbled onto Seymour's secret has inadvertently offered up a burglar (played by Charles Griffith who also wrote the script and supplied the plant's voice) as a midnight snack for the voracious ever-growing Audrey Junior. (When the plant blooms the faces of its various victims are reproduced in its flowers.) Ignored on its initial release Little Shop of Horrors began building up a cult following via repeated TV exposure in the 1960s. By the mid-1970s it had attained classic status spawning a big-budget Broadway musical (and followup feature film) in the 1980s and a Saturday morning cartoon series in the 1990s. Enhancing the original Little Shop's reputation was the brief appearance by star-in-the-making Jack Nicholson as a masochistic dental patient (Nicholson is often incorrectly referred to as the star of the film though in fact he barely receives billing). Much as we love Nicholson our vote for the most memorable Little Shop cast member goes to the ubiquitous Dick Miller ("No thanks I'll eat it here").

Perhaps the greatest movie ever shot in two days , Little Shop of Horrors was originally conceived as a followup to Roger Corman 's black comedy A Bucket of Blood ( 1959 ) . Jonathan Haze plays Seymour Krelboin , a schlemiel's schlemiel who works at the Skid Row flower shop of Mr. Mushnick ( Mel Welles ) . Experimenting in his spare time , Seymour develops a new plant species that he hopes will lead him to fame and fortune. Unfortunately , the mutated plant -- named Audrey Junior , in honor of Seymour's girlfriend Audrey ( Jackie Joseph ) -- subsists on blood and human flesh. It also talks , or rather , commands : "Feed Me! FEEEEED ME!" Before long , the luckless Seymour has fed his plant the bodies of a railroad detective , a sadistic dentist , and a flashy trollop. Meanwhile , Mr. Mushnik , who has stumbled onto Seymour's secret , has inadvertently offered up a burglar ( played by Charles Griffith , who also wrote the script and supplied the plant's voice ) as a midnight snack for the voracious , ever - growing Audrey Junior. ( When the plant blooms , the faces of its various victims are reproduced in its flowers. ) Ignored on its initial release , Little Shop of Horrors began building up a cult following via repeated TV exposure in the 1960s. By the mid - 1970s , it had attained classic status , spawning a big - budget Broadway musical ( and followup feature film ) in the 1980s and a Saturday morning cartoon series in the 1990s. Enhancing the original Little Shop 's reputation was the brief appearance by star - in - the - making Jack Nicholson as a masochistic dental patient ( Nicholson is often incorrectly referred to as the star of the film , though in fact he barely receives billing ) . Much as we love Nicholson , our vote for the most memorable Little Shop cast member goes to the ubiquitous Dick Miller ( "No thanks , I'll eat it here" ) .

One of the more prominent works of Italy's premier horror stylist Mario Bava this occult murder mystery interweaves elements of the traditional giallo thriller formula with an unusual Gothic ghost story. The tale is set in a modern-day Carpathian village rocked by a series of bizarre murders in which the female victims are found with gold coins imbedded in their hearts. The coins are revealed to be talismans placed on the victims by the local sorceress (Fabienne Dali) meant to ward off the supernatural powers of the aged Baroness Graps (Giana Vivaldi). The baroness has been acting as an earthly liaison for the vengeful ghost of her murdered daughter who wants to claim the villagers' souls -- with Erica Blanc next on the list. In order to free the village from the evil curse Dali must find the sequestered baroness and destroy her. The film was released in the U.S. in two dubbed and re-edited versions Kill Baby Kill! and Curse of the Living Dead (packaged as part of an "Orgy of the Living Dead" triple feature).

One of the more prominent works of Italy's premier horror stylist Mario Bava , this occult murder mystery interweaves elements of the traditional giallo thriller formula with an unusual Gothic ghost story. The tale is set in a modern - day Carpathian village rocked by a series of bizarre murders , in which the female victims are found with gold coins imbedded in their hearts. The coins are revealed to be talismans placed on the victims by the local sorceress ( Fabienne Dali ), meant to ward off the supernatural powers of the aged Baroness Graps ( Giana Vivaldi ) . The baroness has been acting as an earthly liaison for the vengeful ghost of her murdered daughter , who wants to claim the villagers' souls -- with Erica Blanc next on the list. In order to free the village from the evil curse , Dali must find the sequestered baroness and destroy her. The film was released in the U.S. in two dubbed and re - edited versions , Kill , Baby , Kill! and Curse of the Living Dead ( packaged as part of an "Orgy of the Living Dead" triple feature ) .

The feature-film debut of multi-talented filmmaker Clive Barker this grim and surreal project is based on the writer/director's own novella The Hell-Bound Heart. The film opens with a chilling prologue in which globe-trotting pervert Frank (Sean Chapman) -- a connoisseur of sexual depravity seeking the ultimate sensual experience -- purchases a small intricate puzzle box from an unseen dealer in an unspecified country. Upon solving the puzzle Frank opens the door to a hellish alternate universe and is promptly torn to ribbons by a network of hooks and chains; his strewn body parts are subsequently collected by the Cenobites -- grotesque S & M-clad denizens of hell. The story continues several years later when Frank's brother Larry (Andrew Robinson) moves into Frank's abandoned house with his daughter Kirsty (Ashley Laurence) and his new wife Julia (Clare Higgins). An accident causes some of Larry's blood to spill on the attic floor which somehow triggers Frank's hideous resurrection. His body only half-composed Frank seeks the tacit assistance of Julia -- with whom he had once had a torrid sexual liaison -- in restoring him to human form. Still secretly in love with Frank Julia assists him by seducing men from the town and bringing them back to the house so her undead lover can drain their bodies of blood. Her increasingly furtive behavior arouses the suspicions of Kirsty who had already moved to an apartment to get away from her despised stepmother. After following Julia and her next potential victim home Kirsty comes face to face with the still-incomplete Frank narrowly escaping with her life...and with the puzzle box. After losing consciousness Kirsty awakens in the hospital where she manages to solve the box's intricate mechanism and summon a trio of Cenobites -- including their apparent leader (played by Doug Bradley and dubbed "Pinhead" on subsequent sequels) -- who are prepared to claim her. In desperation Kirsty offers them a bargain in which they agree to spare her soul if she leads them to Frank. Kirsty soon returns home to find Julia with her father...whose behavior has become disturbingly unnatural. Realizing that her father has become Frank's latest victim -- and that her uncle is now walking around in his brother's skin -- Kirsty hands Frank over to the Cenobites who have particularly evil plans for their old friend.

The feature - film debut of multi - talented filmmaker Clive Barker , this grim and surreal project is based on the writer / director's own novella The Hell - Bound Heart . The film opens with a chilling prologue in which globe - trotting pervert Frank ( Sean Chapman ) -- a connoisseur of sexual depravity seeking the ultimate sensual experience -- purchases a small , intricate puzzle box from an unseen dealer in an unspecified country. Upon solving the puzzle , Frank opens the door to a hellish alternate universe and is promptly torn to ribbons by a network of hooks and chains ; his strewn body parts are subsequently collected by the Cenobites -- grotesque , S & M - clad denizens of hell. The story continues several years later , when Frank's brother , Larry ( Andrew Robinson ), moves into Frank's abandoned house with his daughter , Kirsty ( Ashley Laurence ), and his new wife , Julia ( Clare Higgins ) . An accident causes some of Larry's blood to spill on the attic floor , which somehow triggers Frank's hideous resurrection. His body only half - composed , Frank seeks the tacit assistance of Julia -- with whom he had once had a torrid sexual liaison -- in restoring him to human form. Still secretly in love with Frank , Julia assists him by seducing men from the town and bringing them back to the house so her undead lover can drain their bodies of blood. Her increasingly furtive behavior arouses the suspicions of Kirsty , who had already moved to an apartment to get away from her despised stepmother. After following Julia and her next potential victim home , Kirsty comes face to face with the still - incomplete Frank , narrowly escaping with her life...and with the puzzle box. After losing consciousness , Kirsty awakens in the hospital , where she manages to solve the box's intricate mechanism and summon a trio of Cenobites -- including their apparent leader ( played by Doug Bradley and dubbed "Pinhead" on subsequent sequels ) -- who are prepared to claim her. In desperation , Kirsty offers them a bargain in which they agree to spare her soul if she leads them to Frank. Kirsty soon returns home to find Julia with her father...whose behavior has become disturbingly unnatural. Realizing that her father has become Frank's latest victim -- and that her uncle is now walking around in his brother's skin -- Kirsty hands Frank over to the Cenobites , who have particularly evil plans for their old friend.

"Don't expose him to bright light. Don't ever get him wet. And don't ever ever feed him after midnight." This sage advice is ignored midway through Gremlins with devastating results. This comic Joe Dante effort is set in a Norman Rockwell-esque small town at Christmastime. Seeking a unique gift for his son an erstwhile inventor (Hoyt Axton) purchases a cute fuzzy little "Mogwai" from a Chinatown shopkeeper's (Keye Luke) grandson (John Louie) who dispenses the above-mentioned warning before closing the deal. Meanwhile young bank clerk Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) must suffer such antagonists as rich-bitch Mrs. Deagle (Polly Holliday) and priggish Gerald (Judge Reinhold) while pursuing his romance with Kate (Phoebe Cates). These and a variety of other plot strands are tied together when the lovable mogwai (named Gizmo) is exposed to bright light and gotten wet. In short order the town is invaded by nasty predatory Gremlins who lay waste to everything in sight as Billy and Kate try to contain the destruction. Like most of Joe Dante's works Gremlins is chock-full of significant cameo appearances: in this instance such pop-culture icons as Dick Miller Jackie Joseph Chuck Jones Scott Brady Harry Carey Jr. Steven Spielberg (the film's executive producer) and even Robby the Robot all show up briefly on screen.

"Don't expose him to bright light. Don't ever get him wet. And don't ever , ever feed him after midnight." This sage advice is ignored midway through Gremlins , with devastating results. This comic Joe Dante effort is set in a Norman Rockwell - esque small town at Christmastime. Seeking a unique gift for his son an erstwhile inventor ( Hoyt Axton ) purchases a cute , fuzzy little "Mogwai" from a Chinatown shopkeeper's ( Keye Luke ) grandson ( John Louie ), who dispenses the above - mentioned warning before closing the deal. Meanwhile , young bank clerk Billy Peltzer ( Zach Galligan ) must suffer such antagonists as rich - bitch Mrs. Deagle ( Polly Holliday ) and priggish Gerald ( Judge Reinhold ) while pursuing his romance with Kate ( Phoebe Cates ) . These and a variety of other plot strands are tied together when the lovable mogwai ( named Gizmo ) is exposed to bright light and gotten wet. In short order , the town is invaded by nasty , predatory Gremlins , who lay waste to everything in sight as Billy and Kate try to contain the destruction. Like most of Joe Dante 's works , Gremlins is chock - full of significant cameo appearances : in this instance , such pop - culture icons as Dick Miller , Jackie Joseph , Chuck Jones , Scott Brady , Harry Carey Jr. , Steven Spielberg ( the film's executive producer ) and even Robby the Robot all show up briefly on screen.

This 1981 John Irvin picture constitutes an adaptation of Peter Straub's colossal bestselling novel. The central plot -- shared by both book and film -- revolves around the four elderly members of the Chowder Society (Fred Astaire Melvyn Douglas Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and John Houseman) who gather in each other's drawing rooms each winter to sip cognac and spin elaborate ghost stories. The four men also share a dark secret far more unsettling than fiction -- a secret which has literally come back to haunt them as well as their own adult offspring. Each man is visited by a hideous specter bearing the likeness of a young woman (Alice Krige) they accidentally killed 50 years ago when spurning her mischievous sexual advances.

This 1981 John Irvin picture constitutes an adaptation of Peter Straub's colossal , bestselling novel. The central plot -- shared by both book and film -- revolves around the four elderly members of the Chowder Society ( Fred Astaire , Melvyn Douglas , Douglas Fairbanks , Jr . and John Houseman ), who gather in each other's drawing rooms each winter to sip cognac and spin elaborate ghost stories. The four men also share a dark secret far more unsettling than fiction -- a secret which has literally come back to haunt them , as well as their own adult offspring. Each man is visited by a hideous specter bearing the likeness of a young woman ( Alice Krige ) they accidentally killed 50 years ago when spurning her mischievous sexual advances.

Together with Diabolique The Wages of Fear (Le Salaire de la Peur) earned Henri-Georges Clouzot the reputation as a "French Hitchcock." In truth Clouzot's ability to sustain suspense may have even exceeded Hitchcock's; when originally released Wages ran 155 tension-filled minutes. Based on the much-imitated novel by Georges Arnaud the film is set in Central America. The Southern Oil Company which pretty much rules the roost in the impoverished village of Las Piedras sends out a call for long-distance truck drivers. Southern Oil's wages of 2000 dollars per man are literally to die for -- the drivers are obliged to transport highly volatile nitroglycerine shipments across some of the most treacherous terrain on earth. Through expository dialogue tense interactions and flashbacks we become intimately acquainted with the four drivers who sign up for this death-defying mission: Corsican Yves Montand Italian Folco Lulli German Peter Van Eyck and Frenchman Charles Vanel. The first half of the film slowly methodically introduces the characters and their motivations. The second half -- the drive itself -- is a relentless goosebump-inducing assault on the audience's senses. The winner of the Grand Prix at the Cannes Festival The Wages of Fear was remade by William Friedkin as Sorcerer (1977).

Together with Diabolique , The Wages of Fear ( Le Salaire de la Peur ) earned Henri - Georges Clouzot the reputation as a "French Hitchcock ." In truth , Clouzot 's ability to sustain suspense may have even exceeded Hitchcock 's ; when originally released , Wages ran 155 tension - filled minutes. Based on the much - imitated novel by Georges Arnaud , the film is set in Central America. The Southern Oil Company , which pretty much rules the roost in the impoverished village of Las Piedras , sends out a call for long - distance truck drivers. Southern Oil's wages of 2 , 000 dollars per man are , literally , to die for -- the drivers are obliged to transport highly volatile nitroglycerine shipments across some of the most treacherous terrain on earth. Through expository dialogue , tense interactions and flashbacks , we become intimately acquainted with the four drivers who sign up for this death - defying mission : Corsican Yves Montand , Italian Folco Lulli , German Peter Van Eyck , and Frenchman Charles Vanel . The first half of the film slowly , methodically introduces the characters and their motivations. The second half -- the drive itself -- is a relentless , goosebump - inducing assault on the audience's senses. The winner of the Grand Prix at the Cannes Festival , The Wages of Fear was remade by William Friedkin as Sorcerer ( 1977 ) .

Dismissed when first released later heralded as one of director Alfred Hitchcock's finest films (and according to Hitchcock his most personal one) this adaptation of the French novel D'entre les morts weaves an intricate web of obsession and deceit. It opens as Scottie Ferguson (James Stewart) realizes he has vertigo a condition resulting in a fear of heights when a police officer is killed trying to rescue him from falling off a building. Scottie then retires from his position as a private investigator only to be lured into another case by his old college friend Gavin Elster (Tom Helmore). Elster's wife Madeleine (Kim Novak) has been possessed by a spirit and Elster wants Scottie to follow her. He hesitantly agrees and thus begins the film's wordless montage as Scottie follows the beautiful yet enigmatic Madeleine through 1950s San Francisco (accompanied by Bernard Herrmann's hypnotic score). After saving her from suicide Scottie begins to fall in love with her and she appears to feel the same way. Here tragedy strikes and each twist in the movie's second half changes our preconceptions about the characters and events. In 1996 a new print of Vertigo was released restoring the original grandeur of the colors and the San Francisco backdrop as well as digitally enhancing the soundtrack.

Dismissed when first released , later heralded as one of director Alfred Hitchcock 's finest films ( and , according to Hitchcock , his most personal one ), this adaptation of the French novel D'entre les morts weaves an intricate web of obsession and deceit. It opens as Scottie Ferguson ( James Stewart ) realizes he has vertigo , a condition resulting in a fear of heights , when a police officer is killed trying to rescue him from falling off a building. Scottie then retires from his position as a private investigator , only to be lured into another case by his old college friend , Gavin Elster ( Tom Helmore ) . Elster's wife , Madeleine ( Kim Novak ), has been possessed by a spirit , and Elster wants Scottie to follow her. He hesitantly agrees , and thus begins the film's wordless montage as Scottie follows the beautiful yet enigmatic Madeleine through 1950s San Francisco ( accompanied by Bernard Herrmann 's hypnotic score ) . After saving her from suicide , Scottie begins to fall in love with her , and she appears to feel the same way. Here tragedy strikes , and each twist in the movie's second half changes our preconceptions about the characters and events. In 1996 a new print of Vertigo was released , restoring the original grandeur of the colors and the San Francisco backdrop , as well as digitally enhancing the soundtrack.

Laid up with a broken leg photojournalist L.B. Jeffries (James Stewart) is confined to his tiny sweltering courtyard apartment. To pass the time between visits from his nurse (Thelma Ritter) and his fashion model girlfriend Lisa (Grace Kelly) the binocular-wielding Jeffries stares through the rear window of his apartment at the goings-on in the other apartments around his courtyard. As he watches his neighbors he assigns them such roles and character names as "Miss Torso" (Georgine Darcy) a professional dancer with a healthy social life or "Miss Lonelyhearts" (Judith Evelyn) a middle-aged woman who entertains nonexistent gentlemen callers. Of particular interest is seemingly mild-mannered travelling salesman Lars Thorwald (Raymond Burr) who is saddled with a nagging invalid wife. One afternoon Thorwald pulls down his window shade and his wife's incessant bray comes to a sudden halt. Out of boredom Jeffries casually concocts a scenario in which Thorwald has murdered his wife and disposed of the body in gruesome fashion. Trouble is Jeffries' musings just might happen to be the truth. One of Alfred Hitchcock's very best efforts Rear Window is a crackling suspense film that also ranks with Michael Powell's Peeping Tom (1960) as one of the movies' most trenchant dissections of voyeurism. As in most Hitchcock films the protagonist is a seemingly ordinary man who gets himself in trouble for his secret desires.

Laid up with a broken leg , photojournalist L.B. Jeffries ( James Stewart ) is confined to his tiny , sweltering courtyard apartment. To pass the time between visits from his nurse ( Thelma Ritter ) and his fashion model girlfriend Lisa ( Grace Kelly ), the binocular - wielding Jeffries stares through the rear window of his apartment at the goings - on in the other apartments around his courtyard. As he watches his neighbors , he assigns them such roles and character names as "Miss Torso" ( Georgine Darcy ), a professional dancer with a healthy social life or "Miss Lonelyhearts" ( Judith Evelyn ), a middle - aged woman who entertains nonexistent gentlemen callers. Of particular interest is seemingly mild - mannered travelling salesman Lars Thorwald ( Raymond Burr ), who is saddled with a nagging , invalid wife. One afternoon , Thorwald pulls down his window shade , and his wife's incessant bray comes to a sudden halt. Out of boredom , Jeffries casually concocts a scenario in which Thorwald has murdered his wife and disposed of the body in gruesome fashion. Trouble is , Jeffries' musings just might happen to be the truth. One of Alfred Hitchcock 's very best efforts , Rear Window is a crackling suspense film that also ranks with Michael Powell 's Peeping Tom ( 1960 ) as one of the movies' most trenchant dissections of voyeurism. As in most Hitchcock films , the protagonist is a seemingly ordinary man who gets himself in trouble for his secret desires.

The King and I Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's 1951 Broadway musical hit was based on Margaret Landon's book Anna and the King of Siam. Since 20th-Century-Fox had made a film version of the Landon book in 1946 that studio had first dibs on the movie adaptation of The King and I. Deborah Kerr plays English widow Anna Leonowens who comes to Siam in the 1860s to tutor the many wives and children of the country's progressive King (Yul Brynner recreating his Broadway role-and winning an Oscar in the process). The culture clash between Anna and the King is but one aspect of their multilayered relationship. Through Anna the King learns the refineries and responsibilities of "modern" western civilization; Anna meanwhile comes to realize how important it is for an Oriental ruler to maintain his pride and to uphold the customs of his people. After a successful evening entertaining foreign dignitaries Anna and the King celebrate with an energetic dance but this is cut short by a bitter quarrel over the cruel punishment of the King's new Burmese wife Tuptim (Rita Moreno) who has dared to fall in love with someone else. Despite the many rifts between them Anna and the monarch come to respect and (to a degree) love one another. When the King dies Anna agrees to stay on to offer help and advice to the new ruler of Siam young Prince Chulalongkhorn (Patrick Adiarte). In general The King and I tends to be somewhat stagey with the notable exception of the matchless "Small House of Uncle Thomas" ballet which utilizes the Cinemascope 55 format to best advantage (the process also does a nice job of "handling" Deborah Kerr's voluminous hoopskirts). Most of the Broadway version's best songs ("Getting to Know You" "Whistle a Happy Tune" "A Puzzlement" "Shall We Dance" etc.) are retained. None of the omissions are particularly regrettable save for Anna's solo "Shall I Tell You What I Think of You?" This feisty attack on the King's chauvinism was specially written to suit the talents of Gertrude Lawrence who played Anna in the original production; the song was cut from the film because it made Deborah Kerr seem "too bitchy" (Kerr's singing incidentally is dubbed for the most part by the ubiquitous Marni Nixon). When all is said and done the principal attraction of The King and I is Yul Brynner in the role that made him a star and with which he will forever be identified.

The King and I , Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein 's 1951 Broadway musical hit , was based on Margaret Landon 's book Anna and the King of Siam . Since 20th - Century - Fox had made a film version of the Landon book in 1946 , that studio had first dibs on the movie adaptation of The King and I . Deborah Kerr plays English widow Anna Leonowens , who comes to Siam in the 1860s to tutor the many wives and children of the country's progressive King ( Yul Brynner , recreating his Broadway role - and winning an Oscar in the process ) . The culture clash between Anna and the King is but one aspect of their multilayered relationship. Through Anna , the King learns the refineries and responsibilities of "modern" western civilization ; Anna meanwhile comes to realize how important it is for an Oriental ruler to maintain his pride and to uphold the customs of his people. After a successful evening entertaining foreign dignitaries , Anna and the King celebrate with an energetic dance , but this is cut short by a bitter quarrel over the cruel punishment of the King's new Burmese wife Tuptim ( Rita Moreno ), who has dared to fall in love with someone else. Despite the many rifts between them , Anna and the monarch come to respect and ( to a degree ) love one another. When the King dies , Anna agrees to stay on to offer help and advice to the new ruler of Siam , young Prince Chulalongkhorn ( Patrick Adiarte ) . In general , The King and I tends to be somewhat stagey , with the notable exception of the matchless "Small House of Uncle Thomas" ballet , which utilizes the Cinemascope 55 format to best advantage ( the process also does a nice job of "handling" Deborah Kerr 's voluminous hoopskirts ) . Most of the Broadway version's best songs ( "Getting to Know You" , "Whistle a Happy Tune" , "A Puzzlement" , "Shall We Dance" etc. ) are retained. None of the omissions are particularly regrettable , save for Anna's solo "Shall I Tell You What I Think of You?" This feisty attack on the King's chauvinism was specially written to suit the talents of Gertrude Lawrence , who played Anna in the original production ; the song was cut from the film because it made Deborah Kerr seem "too bitchy" ( Kerr 's singing , incidentally , is dubbed for the most part by the ubiquitous Marni Nixon ) . When all is said and done , the principal attraction of The King and I is Yul Brynner , in the role that made him a star and with which he will forever be identified.

Fritz Lang directed this gritty drama of gangland murder and police corruption which was considered quite violent in its day. Dave Bannion (Glenn Ford) is a scrupulously honest police detective who learns that one of his fellow officers has committed suicide. Bannion is told by the officer's wife Bertha (Jeanette Nolan) that he was severely depressed after being told he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. But the cop's mistress a barmaid named Lucy (Dorothy Green) has another tale to tell. She claims that he left behind a suicide note detailing a complex trail of corruption in the department leading to mob boss Mike Lagana (Alexander Scourby) and now Bertha plans to use the note to blackmail Lagana. When Lucy is found dead beside an abandoned road with her body showing obvious signs of torture Bannion is convinced that her story was true and he goes after Lagana. When he threatens to expose Lagana's dealings the gangster orders Bannion killed. But the car bomb meant to finish Bannion off instead kills his wife Katie (Jocelyn Brando). The police take Bannion off the case but convinced his peers are trying to cover their tracks Bannion follows the case alone determined to get revenge. Lee Marvin and Gloria Grahame shine in key supporting roles.

Fritz Lang directed this gritty drama of gangland murder and police corruption , which was considered quite violent in its day. Dave Bannion ( Glenn Ford ) is a scrupulously honest police detective who learns that one of his fellow officers has committed suicide. Bannion is told by the officer's wife , Bertha ( Jeanette Nolan ), that he was severely depressed after being told he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. But the cop's mistress , a barmaid named Lucy ( Dorothy Green ), has another tale to tell. She claims that he left behind a suicide note detailing a complex trail of corruption in the department , leading to mob boss Mike Lagana ( Alexander Scourby ), and now Bertha plans to use the note to blackmail Lagana. When Lucy is found dead beside an abandoned road , with her body showing obvious signs of torture , Bannion is convinced that her story was true , and he goes after Lagana. When he threatens to expose Lagana's dealings , the gangster orders Bannion killed. But the car bomb meant to finish Bannion off instead kills his wife Katie ( Jocelyn Brando ) . The police take Bannion off the case , but , convinced his peers are trying to cover their tracks , Bannion follows the case alone , determined to get revenge. Lee Marvin and Gloria Grahame shine in key supporting roles.

The Asphalt Jungle is a brilliantly conceived and executed anatomy of a crime -- or as director John Huston and scripter Ben Maddow put it "a left-handed form of human endeavor." Recently paroled master criminal Erwin "Doc" Riedenschneider (Sam Jaffe) with funding from crooked attorney Emmerich (Louis Calhern) gathers several crooks together in Cincinnati for a Big Caper. Among those involved are Dix (Sterling Hayden) an impoverished hood who sees the upcoming jewel heist as a means to finance his dream of owning a horse farm. Hunch-backed cafe owner (James Whitmore) is hired on to be the driver for the heist; professional safecracker Louis Ciavelli (Anthony Caruso) assembles the tools of his trade; and a bookie (Marc Lawrence) acts as Emmerich's go-between. The robbery is pulled off successfully but an alert night watchman shoots Ciavelli. Corrupt cop (Barry Kelley) angry that his "patsy" (Lawrence) didn't let him in on the caper beats the bookie into confessing and fingering the other criminals involved. From this point on the meticulously planned crime falls apart with the inevitability of a Greek tragedy. Way down on the cast list is Marilyn Monroe in her star-making bit as Emmerich's sexy "niece"; whenever The Asphalt Jungle would be reissued Monroe would figure prominently in the print ads as one of the stars. The Asphalt Jungle was based on a novel by the prolific W.R. Burnett who also wrote Little Caesar and Saint Johnson (the fictionalized life story of Wyatt Earp).

The Asphalt Jungle is a brilliantly conceived and executed anatomy of a crime -- or , as director John Huston and scripter Ben Maddow put it , "a left - handed form of human endeavor." Recently paroled master criminal Erwin "Doc" Riedenschneider ( Sam Jaffe ), with funding from crooked attorney Emmerich ( Louis Calhern ), gathers several crooks together in Cincinnati for a Big Caper. Among those involved are Dix ( Sterling Hayden ), an impoverished hood who sees the upcoming jewel heist as a means to finance his dream of owning a horse farm. Hunch - backed cafe owner ( James Whitmore ) is hired on to be the driver for the heist ; professional safecracker Louis Ciavelli ( Anthony Caruso ) assembles the tools of his trade ; and a bookie ( Marc Lawrence ) acts as Emmerich's go - between. The robbery is pulled off successfully , but an alert night watchman shoots Ciavelli. Corrupt cop ( Barry Kelley ), angry that his "patsy" ( Lawrence ) didn't let him in on the caper , beats the bookie into confessing and fingering the other criminals involved. From this point on , the meticulously planned crime falls apart with the inevitability of a Greek tragedy. Way down on the cast list is Marilyn Monroe in her star - making bit as Emmerich's sexy "niece" ; whenever The Asphalt Jungle would be reissued , Monroe would figure prominently in the print ads as one of the stars. The Asphalt Jungle was based on a novel by the prolific W.R. Burnett , who also wrote Little Caesar and Saint Johnson ( the fictionalized life story of Wyatt Earp ) .

ased on the best-selling novel by Robert Traver (the pseudonym for Michigan Supreme Court justice John D. Voelker) Anatomy of a Murder stars James Stewart as seat-of-the-pants Michigan lawyer Paul Biegler. Through the intervention of his alcoholic mentor Parnell McCarthy (Arthur O'Connell) Biegler accepts the case of one Lt. Manion (Ben Gazzara) an unlovable lout who has murdered a local bar owner. Manion admits that he committed the crime citing as his motive the victim's rape of the alluring Mrs. Manion (Lee Remick). Faced with the formidable opposition of big-city prosecutor Claude Dancer (George C. Scott) Biegler hopes to win freedom for his client by using as his defense the argument of "irresistible impulse." Also featured in the cast is Eve Arden as Biegler's sardonic secretary Katherine Grant as the woman who inherits the dead man's business and Joseph N. Welch -- who in real life was the defense attorney in the Army-McCarthy hearings -- as the ever-patient judge. The progressive-jazz musical score is provided by Duke Ellington who also appears in a brief scene. Producer/director Otto Preminger once more pushed the envelope in Anatomy of a Murder by utilizing technical terminology referring to sexual penetration which up until 1959 was a cinematic no-no. Contrary to popular belief Preminger was not merely being faithful to the novel; most of the banter about "panties" and "semen" not to mention the 11-hour courtroom revelation was invented for the film. Anatomy of a Murder was filmed on location in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Based on the best - selling novel by Robert Traver ( the pseudonym for Michigan Supreme Court justice John D. Voelker ), Anatomy of a Murder stars James Stewart as seat - of - the - pants Michigan lawyer Paul Biegler. Through the intervention of his alcoholic mentor , Parnell McCarthy ( Arthur O'Connell ), Biegler accepts the case of one Lt. Manion ( Ben Gazzara ), an unlovable lout who has murdered a local bar owner. Manion admits that he committed the crime , citing as his motive the victim's rape of the alluring Mrs. Manion ( Lee Remick ) . Faced with the formidable opposition of big - city prosecutor Claude Dancer ( George C. Scott ), Biegler hopes to win freedom for his client by using as his defense the argument of "irresistible impulse." Also featured in the cast is Eve Arden as Biegler's sardonic secretary , Katherine Grant as the woman who inherits the dead man's business , and Joseph N. Welch -- who in real life was the defense attorney in the Army - McCarthy hearings -- as the ever - patient judge. The progressive - jazz musical score is provided by Duke Ellington , who also appears in a brief scene. Producer / director Otto Preminger once more pushed the envelope in Anatomy of a Murder by utilizing technical terminology referring to sexual penetration , which up until 1959 was a cinematic no - no. Contrary to popular belief , Preminger was not merely being faithful to the novel ; most of the banter about "panties" and "semen , " not to mention the 11 - hour courtroom revelation , was invented for the film. Anatomy of a Murder was filmed on location in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Gene Kelly does his patented Pal Joey bit as Jerry Mulligan an opportunistic American painter living in Paris' "starving artists" colony. He is discovered by wealthy Milo Roberts (Nina Foch) who becomes Jerry's patroness in more ways than one. Meanwhile Jerry plays hookey on this setup by romancing waif-like Lise Bouvier (Leslie Caron) -- who unbeknownst to him is the object of the affections of his close friend Henri (Georges Guetary) a popular nightclub performer. (The film was supposed to make Guetary into "the New Chevalier." It didn't.) The thinnish plot is held together by the superlative production numbers and by the recycling of several vintage George Gershwin tunes including "I Got Rhythm" "'S Wonderful" and "Our Love Is Here to Stay." Highlights include Guetary's rendition of "Stairway to Paradise"; Oscar Levant's fantasy of conducting and performing Gershwin's "Concerto in F" (Levant also appears as every member of the orchestra); and the closing 17-minute "American in Paris" ballet in which Kelly and Caron dance before lavish backgrounds based on the works of famed French artists.

Gene Kelly does his patented Pal Joey bit as Jerry Mulligan , an opportunistic American painter living in Paris' "starving artists" colony. He is discovered by wealthy Milo Roberts ( Nina Foch ), who becomes Jerry's patroness in more ways than one. Meanwhile , Jerry plays hookey on this setup by romancing waif - like Lise Bouvier ( Leslie Caron ) -- who , unbeknownst to him , is the object of the affections of his close friend Henri ( Georges Guetary ), a popular nightclub performer. ( The film was supposed to make Guetary into "the New Chevalier ." It didn't. ) The thinnish plot is held together by the superlative production numbers and by the recycling of several vintage George Gershwin tunes , including "I Got Rhythm , " "'S Wonderful , " and "Our Love Is Here to Stay." Highlights include Guetary 's rendition of "Stairway to Paradise" ; Oscar Levant 's fantasy of conducting and performing Gershwin 's "Concerto in F" ( Levant also appears as every member of the orchestra ); and the closing 17 - minute "American in Paris" ballet , in which Kelly and Caron dance before lavish backgrounds based on the works of famed French artists.

ased on the story The Wisdom of Eve by Mary Orr All About Eve is an elegantly bitchy backstage story revolving around aspiring actress Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter). Tattered and forlorn Eve shows up in the dressing room of Broadway mega-star Margo Channing (Bette Davis) weaving a melancholy life story to Margo and her friends. Taking pity on the girl Margo takes Eve as her personal assistant. Before long it becomes apparent that naïve Eve is a Machiavellian conniver who cold-bloodedly uses Margo her director Bill Sampson (Gary Merill) Lloyd's wife Karen (Celeste Holm) and waspish critic Addison De Witt (George Sanders) to rise to the top of the theatrical heap. Also appearing in All About Eve is Marilyn Monroe introduced by Addison De Witt as "a graduate of the Copacabana school of dramatic art." This is but one of the hundreds of unforgettable lines penned by writer/director Joseph L. Mankiewicz the most famous of which is Margo Channing's lip-sneering admonition "Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy night." All About Eve received 6 Academy Awards including Best Picture.

Based on the story The Wisdom of Eve by Mary Orr , All About Eve is an elegantly bitchy backstage story revolving around aspiring actress Eve Harrington ( Anne Baxter ) . Tattered and forlorn , Eve shows up in the dressing room of Broadway mega - star Margo Channing ( Bette Davis ), weaving a melancholy life story to Margo and her friends. Taking pity on the girl , Margo takes Eve as her personal assistant. Before long , it becomes apparent that naïve Eve is a Machiavellian conniver who cold - bloodedly uses Margo , her director Bill Sampson ( Gary Merill ), Lloyd's wife Karen ( Celeste Holm ), and waspish critic Addison De Witt ( George Sanders ) to rise to the top of the theatrical heap. Also appearing in All About Eve is Marilyn Monroe , introduced by Addison De Witt as "a graduate of the Copacabana school of dramatic art." This is but one of the hundreds of unforgettable lines penned by writer / director Joseph L. Mankiewicz , the most famous of which is Margo Channing's lip - sneering admonition , "Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy night." All About Eve received 6 Academy Awards , including Best Picture.

The 1954 musical remake of A Star is Born could have been titled A Star is Reborn in that it represented the triumphal return to the screen of Judy Garland after a four-year absence. The remake adheres closely to the plotline of the 1937 original: An alcoholic film star on his last professional legs gives a career boost to a unknown aspiring actress. The two marry whereupon her fame and fortune rises while his spirals sharply downward. Unable to accept this the male star crawls deeper into the bottle. The wife tearfully decides to give up her own career to care for her husband. To spare her this fate the husband chivalrously commits suicide. His wife is inconsolable at first but is urged to go "on with the show" in memory of her late husband. In the original Janet Gaynor played Esther Blodgett who with no training or contacts came to Hollywood hoping for stardom. The remake scripted by Moss Hart is a shade more realistic: Garland's Esther though far removed from fame is a working professional singer/dancer when first we meet her. Both Gaynor and Garland are transformed from "Esther Blodgett" to "Vicki Lester" after being screen-tested though Gaynor goes on to star in fluffy costume dramas while Garland more logically headlines big-budget musicals. The 1937 Star is Born costarred Fredric March as Norman Maine Esther/Vicki's sponsor-cum-spouse. March patterned his performance after the tragic John Barrymore reining in his emotions in favor of pure technique; James Mason's interpretation is more original more emotional and far more effective (who can forget the scene where Norman sobbingly overhears Vicki planning to give up her career for his sake?) As the studio's long-suffering publicist the 1937 version's Lionel Stander is more abrasive and unpleasant than the 1954 version's introspective intellectual Jack Carson; on the other hand Adolphe Menjou and Charles Bickford are fairly evenly matched in the role of the studio head. Several important omissions are made in the remake. The 1937 Star is Born included Esther's indomitable old grandma (May Robson) a helpful assistant director (Andy Devine) and a soft-hearted landlord (Edgar Kennedy); all three characters are missing from the 1954 version though elements of each can be found in the "best friend/severest critic" character played by Tommy Noonan. Wisely both versions end with the grieving Vicki Lester coming out of her shell at a public gathering greeting the audience with a proud defiant "Good evening everybody. This is Mrs. Norman Maine". Though directors William Wellman (1937 version) and George Cukor (1954 version) handle this finale in their own distinctive manners the end result is equally effective emotionally. What truly sets the 1954 A Star is Born apart from other films of its ilk is its magnificent musical score by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin. The songs include The Man Who Got Away (brilliantly performed by Garland in one long take sans dubbing) It's a New World Somewhere There's a Someone I Was Born in a Trunk Lose That Long Face and Gotta Have Me Go With You. When originally previewed in 1954 the film ran well over three hours thanks to the lengthy-and thoroughly disposable-Born in a Trunk number added to the film as an afterthought without the approval or participation of director George Cukor. The Warner Bros. executives trimmed the film to 154 minutes eliminating three top-rank musical numbers and several crucial expository sequences (including Norman's proposal to Vicki). At the instigation of the late film historian Ronald Haver the full version was painstakingly restored in 1983 with outtakes and still photos bridging the "lost" footage. Though nominated in several categories A Star is Born was left empty-handed at Academy Award time an oversight that caused outrage then and still rankles Judy Garland fans to this day (Footnote: Judy Garland had previously played Vicki Lester in a 1942 Lux Radio Theatre adaptation of the original A Star is Born).

The 1954 musical remake of A Star is Born could have been titled A Star is Reborn , in that it represented the triumphal return to the screen of Judy Garland after a four - year absence. The remake adheres closely to the plotline of the 1937 original : An alcoholic film star , on his last professional legs , gives a career boost to a unknown aspiring actress. The two marry , whereupon her fame and fortune rises while his spirals sharply downward. Unable to accept this , the male star crawls deeper into the bottle. The wife tearfully decides to give up her own career to care for her husband. To spare her this fate , the husband chivalrously commits suicide. His wife is inconsolable at first , but is urged to go "on with the show" in memory of her late husband. In the original , Janet Gaynor played Esther Blodgett , who with no training or contacts came to Hollywood hoping for stardom. The remake , scripted by Moss Hart , is a shade more realistic : Garland 's Esther , though far removed from fame , is a working professional singer / dancer when first we meet her. Both Gaynor and Garland are transformed from "Esther Blodgett" to "Vicki Lester" after being screen - tested , though Gaynor goes on to star in fluffy costume dramas while Garland more logically headlines big - budget musicals. The 1937 Star is Born costarred Fredric March as Norman Maine , Esther / Vicki's sponsor - cum - spouse. March patterned his performance after the tragic John Barrymore , reining in his emotions in favor of pure technique ; James Mason 's interpretation is more original , more emotional , and far more effective ( who can forget the scene where Norman sobbingly overhears Vicki planning to give up her career for his sake? ) As the studio's long - suffering publicist , the 1937 version's Lionel Stander is more abrasive and unpleasant than the 1954 version's introspective , intellectual Jack Carson ; on the other hand , Adolphe Menjou and Charles Bickford are fairly evenly matched in the role of the studio head. Several important omissions are made in the remake. The 1937 Star is Born included Esther's indomitable old grandma ( May Robson ), a helpful assistant director ( Andy Devine ) and a soft - hearted landlord ( Edgar Kennedy ); all three characters are missing from the 1954 version , though elements of each can be found in the "best friend / severest critic" character played by Tommy Noonan . Wisely , both versions end with the grieving Vicki Lester coming out of her shell at a public gathering , greeting the audience with a proud , defiant "Good evening , everybody. This is Mrs. Norman Maine". Though directors William Wellman ( 1937 version ) and George Cukor ( 1954 version ) handle this finale in their own distinctive manners , the end result is equally effective emotionally. What truly sets the 1954 A Star is Born apart from other films of its ilk is its magnificent musical score by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin . The songs include The Man Who Got Away ( brilliantly performed by Garland in one long take , sans dubbing ), It's a New World , Somewhere There's a Someone , I Was Born in a Trunk , Lose That Long Face and Gotta Have Me Go With You. When originally previewed in 1954 , the film ran well over three hours , thanks to the lengthy - and thoroughly disposable - Born in a Trunk number , added to the film as an afterthought without the approval or participation of director George Cukor . The Warner Bros. executives trimmed the film to 154 minutes , eliminating three top - rank musical numbers and several crucial expository sequences ( including Norman's proposal to Vicki ) . At the instigation of the late film historian Ronald Haver , the full version was painstakingly restored in 1983 , with outtakes and still photos bridging the "lost" footage. Though nominated in several categories , A Star is Born was left empty - handed at Academy Award time , an oversight that caused outrage then and still rankles Judy Garland fans to this day ( Footnote : Judy Garland had previously played Vicki Lester in a 1942 Lux Radio Theatre adaptation of the original A Star is Born ) .

George Stevens' sprawling adaptation of Edna Ferber's best-selling novel successfully walks a fine line between potboiler and serious drama for its 210-minute running time making it one of the few epics of its era that continues to hold up as engrossing entertainment across the decades. Giant opens circa 1922 in Maryland where Texas rancher Jordan "Bick" Benedict (Rock Hudson) has arrived to buy a stallion called War Winds from its owner Dr. Horace Lynnton (Paul Fix). But much as Bick loves and knows horses he finds himself even more transfixed by the doctor's daughter Leslie Lynnton (Elizabeth Taylor) and after some awkward moments she has to admit that she's equally drawn to the shy laconic Texan. They get married and Leslie spends her honeymoon traveling with Jordan to his ranch Reata which covers nearly a million acres of Texas. Once there however she finds that she has to push her way into her rightful role as mistress of the house past Bick's sister Luz (Mercedes McCambridge) who can't accept her brother's marriage or the changes it means in the home they share. Also working around Reata is the laconic ranch hand Jett Rink (James Dean) -- from a family as rooted in Texas as the Benedicts but not nearly as lucky (or "foxy") Jett is dirt-poor and barely educated at all and he fairly oozes resentment at Bick for his arrogance although Luz likes him and for that reason alone Bick is obliged to keep him on. One thing Jett does have in common with his employer is that he is in awe of Leslie's beauty; another is his nearly total contempt for the Mexican-Americans who work for them -- Jett and Bick may have contempt for each other but either one is just as likely to dismiss the Mexican-Americans around them as a bunch of shiftless "wetbacks." Luz feels so threatened with a loss of power and control that she decides to assert herself with War Winds yet another "prize" that Bick brought back from Maryland that resists her authority -- then decides to ride the stallion despite being warned that no one but Leslie is wholly safe on him and spurs him brutally in an effort to break him which ends up destroying them both in the battle of wills she starts. After Luz's death Jett learns that she left him a tiny piece of land for his own on Reata which he refuses to sell back to Bick preferring to keep it for his own and maybe prospect for oil on it. Meanwhile Leslie and Bick have their own problems -- Leslie can't abide the wretched conditions in which the Mexican families who work on Reata are allowed to live taking a special interest in Mr. and Mrs. Obregon and their baby Angel; but Bick doesn't want his wife or any member of his family concerning themselves with "those people." Leslie's humanity and her independence push their marriage to the limit but Bick comes to accept this in his wife and in four years of marriage they have three handsome children a boy and two girls and a loving if occasionally awkward home life. Meanwhile Jett strikes oil on his land -- which he's named Little Reata -- and in a couple of years he's on his way to becoming the richest man in Texas getting drilling contracts on all of the land in the area (except Reata) and making more money than the Benedicts ever saw from raising cattle. Bick is almost oblivious to the way Jett grows in power and influence across the years and the state mostly because he's got his own family to worry about including a son Jordan III (Dennis Hopper) who doesn't want to take over the ranch from him but wants instead to be a doctor; an older daughter Judy (Fran Bennett) who wants to study animal husbandry and marry a local rancher (Earl Holliman) and start a tiny spread of her own; and a younger daughter Luz (Carroll Baker) who's just a bit man-crazy and star-struck by the movies. The American entry into the Second World War and the resulting need for oil forces Bick to go into business with Jett and allow him to drill on Reata and suddenly the Benedicts are wealthy enough to be part of Jett Rink's circle which includes the governor of the state and at least one United States senator at his beck and call -- and Luz develops a serious crush on Jett who likes his women young and is especially attracted to her as Bick's and Leslie's daughter. Young Jordan marries Juana a Mexican-American nursing student (Elsa Cardenas) and his father accepts it begrudgingly with help from Leslie. The war kills Angel Obregon (Sal Mineo) a death that even affects Bick but the Benedict family gets through it wealthier than ever and grows some more with the birth of Jordan IV to Jordie and Juana. When the family attends a gala opening of Jett Rink Airport which concludes with a dinner honoring Jett's success however young Jordan's wife is humiliated by Jett's racist edicts and he is beaten up by Jett's men after punching the oil baron. Seeing this Bick challenges his old rival to the fight that's been brewing for a quarter of a century and wins by default Jett being too drunk to defend himself or to hit; he's also too drunk to make the grand speech that was to climax the celebration and he ends up alone in the ballroom. The Benedicts have it out with each other young Jordan accusing his father of being as much a racist as Jett and Leslie caught in the middle between her husband and her son. It looks like the Benedicts may lose each other until an encounter with a racist diner owner forces Bick to stand up and get knocked down (more than once) defending his daughter-in-law and his grandson. Seen today Giant seems the least dated of any of James Dean's three starring films in part because it addresses issues that remain relevant more than 50 years later and also because it has the best all-around acting and the best script of any of the three. Taken in broader terms it's even better with two of the best performances that Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson ever gave and perhaps the second best of Hudson's whole career (after Seconds) -- the only unfortunate element at modern theatrical screenings is the tendency of younger viewers who only know him in terms of the revelations late in his life of his being gay to laugh and snicker at elements of Hudson's characterization; but his work is so good that the titters usually fade after the first 30 minutes or so.

George Stevens ' sprawling adaptation of Edna Ferber 's best - selling novel successfully walks a fine line between potboiler and serious drama for its 210 - minute running time , making it one of the few epics of its era that continues to hold up as engrossing entertainment across the decades. Giant opens circa 1922 in Maryland , where Texas rancher Jordan "Bick" Benedict ( Rock Hudson ) has arrived to buy a stallion called War Winds from its owner , Dr. Horace Lynnton ( Paul Fix ) . But much as Bick loves and knows horses , he finds himself even more transfixed by the doctor's daughter , Leslie Lynnton ( Elizabeth Taylor ), and after some awkward moments , she has to admit that she's equally drawn to the shy , laconic Texan. They get married and Leslie spends her honeymoon traveling with Jordan to his ranch , Reata , which covers nearly a million acres of Texas. Once there , however , she finds that she has to push her way into her rightful role as mistress of the house , past Bick's sister , Luz ( Mercedes McCambridge ), who can't accept her brother's marriage or the changes it means in the home they share. Also working around Reata is the laconic ranch hand Jett Rink ( James Dean ) -- from a family as rooted in Texas as the Benedicts but not nearly as lucky ( or "foxy" ), Jett is dirt - poor and barely educated at all , and he fairly oozes resentment at Bick for his arrogance , although Luz likes him and for that reason alone Bick is obliged to keep him on. One thing Jett does have in common with his employer is that he is in awe of Leslie's beauty ; another is his nearly total contempt for the Mexican - Americans who work for them -- Jett and Bick may have contempt for each other , but either one is just as likely to dismiss the Mexican - Americans around them as a bunch of shiftless "wetbacks." Luz feels so threatened with a loss of power and control that she decides to assert herself with War Winds , yet another "prize" that Bick brought back from Maryland that resists her authority -- then decides to ride the stallion despite being warned that no one but Leslie is wholly safe on him , and spurs him brutally in an effort to break him , which ends up destroying them both in the battle of wills she starts. After Luz's death , Jett learns that she left him a tiny piece of land for his own , on Reata , which he refuses to sell back to Bick , preferring to keep it for his own and maybe prospect for oil on it. Meanwhile , Leslie and Bick have their own problems -- Leslie can't abide the wretched conditions in which the Mexican families who work on Reata are allowed to live , taking a special interest in Mr. and Mrs. Obregon and their baby , Angel ; but Bick doesn't want his wife , or any member of his family , concerning themselves with "those people." Leslie's humanity and her independence push their marriage to the limit , but Bick comes to accept this in his wife , and in four years of marriage they have three handsome children , a boy and two girls , and a loving if occasionally awkward home life. Meanwhile , Jett strikes oil on his land -- which he's named Little Reata -- and in a couple of years he's on his way to becoming the richest man in Texas , getting drilling contracts on all of the land in the area ( except Reata ) and making more money than the Benedicts ever saw from raising cattle. Bick is almost oblivious to the way Jett grows in power and influence across the years and the state , mostly because he's got his own family to worry about , including a son , Jordan III ( Dennis Hopper ), who doesn't want to take over the ranch from him , but wants instead to be a doctor ; an older daughter , Judy ( Fran Bennett ), who wants to study animal husbandry and marry a local rancher ( Earl Holliman ) and start a tiny spread of her own ; and a younger daughter , Luz ( Carroll Baker ), who's just a bit man - crazy and star - struck by the movies. The American entry into the Second World War and the resulting need for oil forces Bick to go into business with Jett and allow him to drill on Reata , and suddenly the Benedicts are wealthy enough to be part of Jett Rink's circle , which includes the governor of the state and at least one United States senator at his beck and call -- and Luz develops a serious crush on Jett , who likes his women young and is especially attracted to her , as Bick's and Leslie's daughter. Young Jordan marries Juana , a Mexican - American nursing student ( Elsa Cardenas ), and his father accepts it begrudgingly , with help from Leslie. The war kills Angel Obregon ( Sal Mineo ), a death that even affects Bick , but the Benedict family gets through it wealthier than ever and grows some more with the birth of Jordan IV to Jordie and Juana. When the family attends a gala opening of Jett Rink Airport , which concludes with a dinner honoring Jett's success , however , young Jordan's wife is humiliated by Jett's racist edicts , and he is beaten up by Jett's men after punching the oil baron. Seeing this , Bick challenges his old rival to the fight that's been brewing for a quarter of a century and wins by default , Jett being too drunk to defend himself or to hit ; he's also too drunk to make the grand speech that was to climax the celebration , and he ends up alone in the ballroom. The Benedicts have it out with each other , young Jordan accusing his father of being as much a racist as Jett , and Leslie caught in the middle between her husband and her son. It looks like the Benedicts may lose each other , until an encounter with a racist diner owner forces Bick to stand up and get knocked down ( more than once ) defending his daughter - in - law and his grandson. Seen today , Giant seems the least dated of any of James Dean 's three starring films , in part because it addresses issues that remain relevant more than 50 years later , and also because it has the best all - around acting and the best script of any of the three. Taken in broader terms , it's even better , with two of the best performances that Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson ever gave , and perhaps the second best of Hudson 's whole career ( after Seconds ) -- the only unfortunate element at modern theatrical screenings is the tendency of younger viewers , who only know him in terms of the revelations late in his life of his being gay , to laugh and snicker at elements of Hudson 's characterization ; but his work is so good that the titters usually fade after the first 30 minutes or so.

In this gritty urban drama war veteran Richard Dadier (Glenn Ford) wants to begin his career as a teacher and is given an assignment at a boys high school in inner-city New York. However he soon discovers the school is overrun by delinquents led by Artie West (Vic Morrow) an insolent hood who likes to call Richard "Mr. Daddy-O." Artie and his gang steal destroy property refuse to respect authority and threaten the female teachers with rape. While most of the faculty have given up and meekly let the delinquents do what they want Dadier is determined to bring order back to his classroom even after Artie's thugs threaten Richard's pregnant wife. Keep your eyes peeled for a bit part by Jameel Farah years before he would change his name to Jamie Farr. Blackboard Jungle was also the first major studio film to use rock & roll on the soundtrack; the film's success kick-started sales of "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley & His Comets which helped to spark the rock & roll boom of the 1950s.

In this gritty urban drama , war veteran Richard Dadier ( Glenn Ford ) wants to begin his career as a teacher and is given an assignment at a boys high school in inner - city New York. However , he soon discovers the school is overrun by delinquents , led by Artie West ( Vic Morrow ), an insolent hood who likes to call Richard "Mr. Daddy - O." Artie and his gang steal , destroy property , refuse to respect authority , and threaten the female teachers with rape. While most of the faculty have given up and meekly let the delinquents do what they want , Dadier is determined to bring order back to his classroom , even after Artie's thugs threaten Richard's pregnant wife. Keep your eyes peeled for a bit part by Jameel Farah , years before he would change his name to Jamie Farr . Blackboard Jungle was also the first major studio film to use rock & roll on the soundtrack ; the film's success kick - started sales of "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley & His Comets , which helped to spark the rock & roll boom of the 1950s.

Robert Francis is at the center of the story as Willis Keith a newly-minted ensign assigned to the destroyer/minesweeper U.S.S. Caine during World War II. Soon after his arrival the ship gets a new captain Lt. Comdr. Philip Francis Queeg Humphrey Bogart a tough no-nonsense veteran officer who tries to turns the crew into proper sailors and the Caine into a tight ship engendering resentment from some of the men and several of his officers. A veteran of difficult years of service for too long Queeg has insecurities about himself his command and his career that begin to manifest themselves as spells of temper over small details that cause him to make mistakes. Lt.Keefer (Fred MacMurray) the glib-tongued communications officer begins making suggestions to the ship's sincere but overburdened first officer Lt. Steve Maryk (Van Johnson) that Queeg may have mental problems. Maryk initially rejects these suggestions and tries to support the captain but conditions deteriorate to the point where Maryk is forced to relieve Queeg of command and is charged -- along with Keith who supported him -- with mutiny. Enter Lt. Barney Greenwald (Jose Ferrer) a lawyer in civilian life who reluctantly agrees to help them mostly out of sympathy for the impossible predicament in which Maryk has found himself trapped.

Robert Francis is at the center of the story as Willis Keith , a newly - minted ensign assigned to the destroyer / minesweeper U.S.S. Caine during World War II. Soon after his arrival , the ship gets a new captain , Lt. Comdr. Philip Francis Queeg Humphrey Bogart , a tough , no - nonsense veteran officer who tries to turns the crew into proper sailors and the Caine into a tight ship , engendering resentment from some of the men and several of his officers. A veteran of difficult years of service for too long , Queeg has insecurities about himself , his command , and his career that begin to manifest themselves as spells of temper over small details that cause him to make mistakes. Lt.Keefer ( Fred MacMurray ), the glib - tongued communications officer , begins making suggestions to the ship's sincere but overburdened first officer , Lt. Steve Maryk ( Van Johnson ), that Queeg may have mental problems. Maryk initially rejects these suggestions , and tries to support the captain , but conditions deteriorate to the point where Maryk is forced to relieve Queeg of command , and is charged -- along with Keith , who supported him -- with mutiny. Enter Lt. Barney Greenwald ( Jose Ferrer ), a lawyer in civilian life , who reluctantly agrees to help them , mostly out of sympathy for the impossible predicament in which Maryk has found himself trapped.

"If they move kill 'em!" Beginning and ending with two of the bloodiest battles in screen history Sam Peckinpah's classic revisionist Western ruthlessly takes apart the myths of the West. Released in the late '60s discord over Vietnam in the wake of the controversial Bonnie and Clyde (1967) and the brutal "spaghetti westerns" of Sergio Leone The Wild Bunch polarized critics and audiences over its ferocious bloodshed. One side hailed it as a classic appropriately pitched to the violence and nihilism of the times while the other reviled it as depraved. After a failed payroll robbery the outlaw Bunch led by aging Pike Bishop (William Holden) and including Dutch (Ernest Borgnine) Angel (Jaime Sanchez) and Lyle and Tector Gorch (Warren Oates and Ben Johnson) heads for Mexico pursued by the gang of Pike's friend-turned-nemesis Deke Thornton (Robert Ryan). Ultimately caught between the corruption of railroad fat cat Harrigan (Albert Dekker) and federale general Mapache (Emilio Fernandez) and without a frontier for escape the Bunch opts for a final Pyrrhic victory striding purposefully to confront Mapache and avenge their friend Angel.

"If they move , kill 'em!" Beginning and ending with two of the bloodiest battles in screen history , Sam Peckinpah 's classic revisionist Western ruthlessly takes apart the myths of the West. Released in the late '60s discord over Vietnam , in the wake of the controversial Bonnie and Clyde ( 1967 ) and the brutal "spaghetti westerns" of Sergio Leone , The Wild Bunch polarized critics and audiences over its ferocious bloodshed. One side hailed it as a classic appropriately pitched to the violence and nihilism of the times , while the other reviled it as depraved. After a failed payroll robbery , the outlaw Bunch , led by aging Pike Bishop ( William Holden ) and including Dutch ( Ernest Borgnine ), Angel ( Jaime Sanchez ), and Lyle and Tector Gorch ( Warren Oates and Ben Johnson ), heads for Mexico pursued by the gang of Pike's friend - turned - nemesis Deke Thornton ( Robert Ryan ) . Ultimately caught between the corruption of railroad fat cat Harrigan ( Albert Dekker ) and federale general Mapache ( Emilio Fernandez ), and without a frontier for escape , the Bunch opts for a final Pyrrhic victory , striding purposefully to confront Mapache and avenge their friend Angel.

In 1960 Alfred Hitchcock was already famous as the screen's master of suspense (and perhaps the best-known film director in the world) when he released Psycho and forever changed the shape and tone of the screen thriller. From its first scene in which an unmarried couple balances pleasure and guilt in a lunchtime liaison in a cheap hotel (hardly a common moment in a major studio film in 1960) Psycho announced that it was taking the audience to places it had never been before and on that score what followed would hardly disappoint. Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) is unhappy in her job at a Phoenix Arizona real estate office and frustrated in her romance with hardware store manager Sam Loomis (John Gavin). One afternoon Marion is given $40000 in cash to be deposited in the bank. Minutes later impulse has taken over and Marion takes off with the cash hoping to leave Phoenix for good and start a new life with her purloined nest egg. 36 hours later paranoia and exhaustion have started to set in and Marion decides to stop for the night at the Bates Motel where nervous but personable innkeeper Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) cheerfully mentions that she's the first guest in weeks before he regales her with curious stories about his mother. There's hardly a film fan alive who doesn't know what happens next but while the shower scene is justifiably the film's most famous sequence there are dozens of memorable bits throughout this film. The first of a handful of sequels followed in 1983 while Gus Van Sant's controversial remake starring Vince Vaughn and Anne Heche appeared in 1998.

In 1960 , Alfred Hitchcock was already famous as the screen's master of suspense ( and perhaps the best - known film director in the world ) when he released Psycho and forever changed the shape and tone of the screen thriller. From its first scene , in which an unmarried couple balances pleasure and guilt in a lunchtime liaison in a cheap hotel ( hardly a common moment in a major studio film in 1960 ), Psycho announced that it was taking the audience to places it had never been before , and on that score what followed would hardly disappoint. Marion Crane ( Janet Leigh ) is unhappy in her job at a Phoenix , Arizona real estate office and frustrated in her romance with hardware store manager Sam Loomis ( John Gavin ) . One afternoon , Marion is given $40 , 000 in cash to be deposited in the bank. Minutes later , impulse has taken over and Marion takes off with the cash , hoping to leave Phoenix for good and start a new life with her purloined nest egg. 36 hours later , paranoia and exhaustion have started to set in , and Marion decides to stop for the night at the Bates Motel , where nervous but personable innkeeper Norman Bates ( Anthony Perkins ) cheerfully mentions that she's the first guest in weeks , before he regales her with curious stories about his mother. There's hardly a film fan alive who doesn't know what happens next , but while the shower scene is justifiably the film's most famous sequence , there are dozens of memorable bits throughout this film. The first of a handful of sequels followed in 1983 , while Gus Van Sant 's controversial remake , starring Vince Vaughn and Anne Heche , appeared in 1998.

Originally intended as a project for Blake Edwards the film version of Pierre Boule's semisatiric sci-fi novel came to the screen in 1968 under the directorial guidance of Franklin J. Schaffner. Charlton Heston is George Taylor one of several astronauts on a long long space mission whose spaceship crash-lands on a remote planet seemingly devoid of intelligent life. Soon the astronaut learns that this planet is ruled by a race of talking thinking reasoning apes who hold court over a complex multilayered civilization. In this topsy-turvy society the human beings are grunting inarticulate primates penned-up like animals. When ape leader Dr. Zaius (Maurice Evans) discovers that the captive Taylor has the power of speech he reacts in horror and insists that the astronaut be killed. But sympathetic ape scientists Cornelius (Roddy McDowell) and Dr. Zira (Kim Hunter) risk their lives to protect Taylor -- and to discover the secret of their planet's history that Dr. Zaius and his minions guard so jealously. In the end it is Taylor who stumbles on the truth about the Planet of the Apes: "Damn you! Damn you! Goddamn you all to hell!" Scripted by Rod Serling and Michael Wilson (a former blacklistee who previously adapted another Pierre Boule novel Bridge on the River Kwai) Planet of the Apes has gone on to be an all-time sci-fi (and/or camp) classic. It won a special Academy Award for John Chambers's convincing (and from all accounts excruciatingly uncomfortable) simian makeup. It spawned four successful sequels as well as two TV series one live-action and one animated.

Originally intended as a project for Blake Edwards , the film version of Pierre Boule's semisatiric sci - fi novel came to the screen in 1968 under the directorial guidance of Franklin J. Schaffner . Charlton Heston is George Taylor , one of several astronauts on a long , long space mission whose spaceship crash - lands on a remote planet , seemingly devoid of intelligent life. Soon the astronaut learns that this planet is ruled by a race of talking , thinking , reasoning apes who hold court over a complex , multilayered civilization. In this topsy - turvy society , the human beings are grunting , inarticulate primates , penned - up like animals. When ape leader Dr. Zaius ( Maurice Evans ) discovers that the captive Taylor has the power of speech , he reacts in horror and insists that the astronaut be killed. But sympathetic ape scientists Cornelius ( Roddy McDowell ) and Dr. Zira ( Kim Hunter ) risk their lives to protect Taylor -- and to discover the secret of their planet's history that Dr. Zaius and his minions guard so jealously. In the end , it is Taylor who stumbles on the truth about the Planet of the Apes : "Damn you! Damn you! Goddamn you all to hell!" Scripted by Rod Serling and Michael Wilson ( a former blacklistee who previously adapted another Pierre Boule novel , Bridge on the River Kwai ), Planet of the Apes has gone on to be an all - time sci - fi ( and / or camp ) classic. It won a special Academy Award for John Chambers 's convincing ( and , from all accounts , excruciatingly uncomfortable ) simian makeup. It spawned four successful sequels , as well as two TV series , one live - action and one animated.

The "my" in My Night At Maud's belongs to the protagonist played by Jean-Louis Trintignant a Catholic engineer whose struggle with his faith is renewed when he falls instantly in love with a woman he's never met (Marie-Christine Barrault) while attending mass. A chance meeting with an amoral old friend (Antoine Vitez) the same night places him in a potentially compromising situation when he's forced to spend the night with Vitez's alluring acquaintance Maude (Françoise Fabian) a sophisticated woman who challenges Trintignant's belief through intellectual and fleshly means.

The "my" in My Night At Maud's belongs to the protagonist played by Jean - Louis Trintignant , a Catholic engineer whose struggle with his faith is renewed when he falls instantly in love with a woman he's never met ( Marie - Christine Barrault ) while attending mass. A chance meeting with an amoral old friend ( Antoine Vitez ) the same night places him in a potentially compromising situation when he's forced to spend the night with Vitez's alluring acquaintance Maude ( Françoise Fabian ), a sophisticated woman who challenges Trintignant's belief through intellectual and fleshly means.

Meredith Wilson's hit 1957 Broadway musical was transferred to the screen in larger-than-life fashion in 1962. Robert Preston repeats his legendary stage performance as fast-talking con man Harold Hill who goes from town to town selling citizens on starting a "boy's band" then extracts money from them by ordering instruments and uniforms with the promise that he'll teach the kids how to be musicians. Once he's collected his bankroll Hill skips town leaving the kids in the lurch. Looking for new suckers in Iowa Hill arrives in River City where he declares that the only way to save the youth of River City from the lure of the poolroom is to organize a boy's band. He charms the mayor's wife Eulalie (Hermione Gingold) into forming a "ladies' dance committee" and sets his sights on winning over local music teacher Marian Paroo (Shirley Jones). Marian rightly considers Hill a fraud especially when he espouses the "Think System" of learning music: if you think a tune he claims you can play it. But Marian becomes Hill's staunchest ally when her young brother Winthrop (Ronny Howard) sullen and withdrawn since the death of his father exuberantly comes out of his shell at the prospect of joining Hill's band; and Marian's budding romance with the charming but unreliable Hill ultimately brings her out of her own shell as well. Marion Hargrove's script uses most of the original play with a handful of amusing expansions especially in the roles played by Gingold and by Buddy Hackett as Hill's comic sidekick.

Meredith Wilson 's hit 1957 Broadway musical was transferred to the screen in larger - than - life fashion in 1962. Robert Preston repeats his legendary stage performance as fast - talking con man Harold Hill , who goes from town to town selling citizens on starting a "boy's band , " then extracts money from them by ordering instruments and uniforms , with the promise that he'll teach the kids how to be musicians. Once he's collected his bankroll , Hill skips town , leaving the kids in the lurch. Looking for new suckers in Iowa , Hill arrives in River City , where he declares that the only way to save the youth of River City from the lure of the poolroom is to organize a boy's band. He charms the mayor's wife Eulalie ( Hermione Gingold ) into forming a "ladies' dance committee" and sets his sights on winning over local music teacher Marian Paroo ( Shirley Jones ) . Marian rightly considers Hill a fraud , especially when he espouses the "Think System" of learning music : if you think a tune , he claims , you can play it. But Marian becomes Hill's staunchest ally when her young brother Winthrop ( Ronny Howard ), sullen and withdrawn since the death of his father , exuberantly comes out of his shell at the prospect of joining Hill's band ; and Marian's budding romance with the charming but unreliable Hill ultimately brings her out of her own shell as well. Marion Hargrove 's script uses most of the original play , with a handful of amusing expansions , especially in the roles played by Gingold and by Buddy Hackett as Hill's comic sidekick.

An unusually tense and intelligent political thriller The Manchurian Candidate was a film far ahead of its time. Its themes of thought control political assassination and multinational conspiracy were hardly common currency in 1962 and while its outlook is sometimes informed by Cold War paranoia the film seemed nearly as timely when it was reissued in 1987 as it did on its original release. It opens with a group of soldiers whooping it up in a bar in Korea as their commander Sgt. Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey) arrives to inform them that they're back on duty. These men obviously have no fondness for Shaw and he feels no empathy for them. While on patrol Shaw and his platoon are ambushed by Korean troops. Months later Shaw is receiving a hero's welcome as he returns to the United States to accept the Congressional Medal of Honor and several of the soldiers who served under Shaw repeatedly refer to him as "the bravest finest most lovable man I ever met." It soon becomes evident that after their capture by the Koreans Shaw and his men were subjected to an intense program of brainwashing prior to their release. While several are troubled by bad dreams and inexplicable behavior it's Capt. Bennett Marco (Frank Sinatra) who seems the most haunted by the experience. In time Marco is able to piece together what happened; it seems Raymond Shaw was programmed by a shadowy cadre of Russian and Chinese agents into a killing machine who will assassinate anyone even a close friend when given the proper commands. On the other side of the coin Shaw is also used for political gain by his harridan mother (Angela Lansbury) who guides the career of her second husband John Iselin (James Gregory) a bone-headed congressman hoping to win the vice-presidential nomination through a campaign of anti-Communist hysteria. The Manchurian Candidate features a host of remarkable performances several from actors cast cleverly against type. Frank Sinatra's edgy aggressive turn as Marco may be the finest dramatic work of his career; Laurence Harvey's chilly onscreen demeanor was rarely used to s better advantage than as Raymond Shaw; James Gregory is great as the oft-befuddled Senator Iselin; and Angela Lansbury's ultimate bad mom will be a shock to those who know her as the lovable mystery writer from Murder She Wrote. George Axelrod's screenplay (based on Richard Condon's novel) is by turns compelling witty and horrifying in its implications and John Frankenheimer's direction milks it for all the tension it can muster. While Frankenheimer's career has had its ups and downs The Manchurian Candidate and Seconds (1966) suggest that he deserves to be recognized as one of the most brilliantly paranoid American filmmakers of the '60s. Entertaining yet unsettling both films indicate that things in the '60s were not what they seemed with a resonance that still echoes uncomfortably in the present.

An unusually tense and intelligent political thriller , The Manchurian Candidate was a film far ahead of its time. Its themes of thought control , political assassination , and multinational conspiracy were hardly common currency in 1962 , and while its outlook is sometimes informed by Cold War paranoia , the film seemed nearly as timely when it was reissued in 1987 as it did on its original release. It opens with a group of soldiers whooping it up in a bar in Korea as their commander , Sgt. Raymond Shaw ( Laurence Harvey ), arrives to inform them that they're back on duty. These men obviously have no fondness for Shaw , and he feels no empathy for them. While on patrol , Shaw and his platoon are ambushed by Korean troops. Months later , Shaw is receiving a hero's welcome as he returns to the United States to accept the Congressional Medal of Honor , and several of the soldiers who served under Shaw repeatedly refer to him as "the bravest , finest , most lovable man I ever met." It soon becomes evident that after their capture by the Koreans , Shaw and his men were subjected to an intense program of brainwashing prior to their release. While several are troubled by bad dreams and inexplicable behavior , it's Capt. Bennett Marco ( Frank Sinatra ) who seems the most haunted by the experience. In time , Marco is able to piece together what happened ; it seems Raymond Shaw was programmed by a shadowy cadre of Russian and Chinese agents into a killing machine who will assassinate anyone , even a close friend , when given the proper commands. On the other side of the coin , Shaw is also used for political gain by his harridan mother ( Angela Lansbury ), who guides the career of her second husband , John Iselin ( James Gregory ), a bone - headed congressman hoping to win the vice - presidential nomination through a campaign of anti - Communist hysteria. The Manchurian Candidate features a host of remarkable performances , several from actors cast cleverly against type. Frank Sinatra 's edgy , aggressive turn as Marco may be the finest dramatic work of his career ; Laurence Harvey 's chilly onscreen demeanor was rarely used to s better advantage than as Raymond Shaw ; James Gregory is great as the oft - befuddled Senator Iselin ; and Angela Lansbury 's ultimate bad mom will be a shock to those who know her as the lovable mystery writer from Murder , She Wrote . George Axelrod 's screenplay ( based on Richard Condon 's novel ) is by turns compelling , witty , and horrifying in its implications , and John Frankenheimer 's direction milks it for all the tension it can muster. While Frankenheimer 's career has had its ups and downs , The Manchurian Candidate and Seconds ( 1966 ) suggest that he deserves to be recognized as one of the most brilliantly paranoid American filmmakers of the '60s. Entertaining yet unsettling , both films indicate that things in the '60s were not what they seemed , with a resonance that still echoes uncomfortably in the present.

In the last and the best installment of his so-called "Dollars" trilogy of Sergio Leone-directed "spaghetti westerns" Clint Eastwood reprised the role of a taciturn enigmatic loner. Here he searches for a cache of stolen gold against rivals the Bad (Lee Van Cleef) a ruthless bounty hunter and the Ugly (Eli Wallach) a Mexican bandit. Though dubbed "the Good" Eastwood's character is not much better than his opponents -- he is just smarter and shoots faster. The film's title reveals its ironic attitude toward the canonized heroes of the classical western. "The real West was the world of violence fear and brutal instincts" claimed Leone. "In pursuit of profit there is no such thing as good and evil generosity or deviousness; everything depends on chance and not the best wins but the luckiest." Immensely entertaining and beautifully shot in Techniscope by Tonino Delli Colli the movie is a virtually definitive "spaghetti western" rivaled only by Leone's own Once Upon a Time in the West (1968). The main musical theme by Ennio Morricone hit #1 on the British pop charts. Originally released in Italy at 177 minutes the movie was later cut for its international release.

In the last and the best installment of his so - called "Dollars" trilogy of Sergio Leone - directed "spaghetti westerns , " Clint Eastwood reprised the role of a taciturn , enigmatic loner. Here he searches for a cache of stolen gold against rivals the Bad ( Lee Van Cleef ), a ruthless bounty hunter , and the Ugly ( Eli Wallach ), a Mexican bandit. Though dubbed "the Good , " Eastwood 's character is not much better than his opponents -- he is just smarter and shoots faster. The film's title reveals its ironic attitude toward the canonized heroes of the classical western. "The real West was the world of violence , fear , and brutal instincts , " claimed Leone . "In pursuit of profit there is no such thing as good and evil , generosity or deviousness ; everything depends on chance , and not the best wins but the luckiest." Immensely entertaining and beautifully shot in Techniscope by Tonino Delli Colli , the movie is a virtually definitive "spaghetti western , " rivaled only by Leone 's own Once Upon a Time in the West ( 1968 ) . The main musical theme by Ennio Morricone hit # 1 on the British pop charts. Originally released in Italy at 177 minutes , the movie was later cut for its international release.

Tossing wristwatches away two bikers hit the road to find America in Dennis Hopper's anti-establishment classic. After a major cocaine sale to an L.A. connection (Phil Spector) free-wheeling potheads Billy (Hopper) and Wyatt aka Captain America (Peter Fonda who also produced) motor eastward to party at Mardi Gras before "retiring" to Florida with the riches concealed in Wyatt's stars-and-stripes gas tank. As they ride through the Southwest they take a hitchhiker (Luke Askew) to a struggling hippie commune before they get thrown in a small-town jail for "parading without a permit." Their cellmate drunken ACLU lawyer George Hanson (Jack Nicholson replacing Rip Torn) does them a "groovy" favor by getting them out of jail and then decides to join them. Babbling about Venusians George discovers the joys of smoking grass but an encounter with Southern rednecks soon proves how right he is about the danger posed by Billy's and Wyatt's unfettered life in a country that has lost its ideals. With the straight world closing in Wyatt and Billy try to revel in New Orleans with some LSD and hookers (Karen Black and Toni Basil) but the acid trip is shot through with morbidity. Once they reach Florida Billy raves about attaining the American dream; Wyatt however knows the truth: "We blew it." Produced and directed by two Hollywood iconoclasts with under a half-million non-studio dollars Easy Rider shook up the languishing movie industry when it grossed over 19 million dollars in 1969; it captured the spirit of the times as it woke Hollywood up to the power of young audiences and socially relevant movies along with such other landmarks of the late '60s as Bonnie and Clyde The Graduate and 2001. Shot on location by Laszlo Kovacs Easy Rider eschewed old-fashioned Hollywood polish for documentary-style immediacy and it enhanced its casual feel with improvised dialogue and realistically "stoned" acting. With a soundtrack of contemporary rock songs by Jimi Hendrix the Band and Steppenwolf to complete the atmosphere Easy Rider was hailed for capturing the increasingly violent Vietnam-era split between the counterculture and the repressive Establishment. Experiencing the "shock of recognition" youth audiences embraced Easy Rider's vision of both the attractions and the limits of dropping out proving that audience's box-office power and turning Nicholson into a movie star. The momentarily hip Academy nominated Nicholson for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar and Fonda Hopper and Terry Southern for their screenplay. Though none of its imitators would match its impact Easy Rider remains one of the seminal works of late '60s Hollywood both for its trailblazing legacy and its sharply perceptive portrait of its chaotic times.

Tossing wristwatches away , two bikers hit the road to find America in Dennis Hopper 's anti - establishment classic. After a major cocaine sale to an L.A. connection ( Phil Spector ), free - wheeling potheads Billy ( Hopper ) and Wyatt , aka Captain America ( Peter Fonda , who also produced ), motor eastward to party at Mardi Gras before "retiring" to Florida with the riches concealed in Wyatt's stars - and - stripes gas tank. As they ride through the Southwest , they take a hitchhiker ( Luke Askew ) to a struggling hippie commune before they get thrown in a small - town jail for "parading without a permit." Their cellmate , drunken ACLU lawyer George Hanson ( Jack Nicholson , replacing Rip Torn ), does them a "groovy" favor by getting them out of jail and then decides to join them. Babbling about Venusians , George discovers the joys of smoking grass , but an encounter with Southern rednecks soon proves how right he is about the danger posed by Billy's and Wyatt's unfettered life in a country that has lost its ideals. With the straight world closing in , Wyatt and Billy try to revel in New Orleans with some LSD and hookers ( Karen Black and Toni Basil ), but the acid trip is shot through with morbidity. Once they reach Florida , Billy raves about attaining the American dream ; Wyatt , however , knows the truth : "We blew it." Produced and directed by two Hollywood iconoclasts with under a half - million non - studio dollars , Easy Rider shook up the languishing movie industry when it grossed over 19 million dollars in 1969 ; it captured the spirit of the times as it woke Hollywood up to the power of young audiences and socially relevant movies , along with such other landmarks of the late '60s as Bonnie and Clyde , The Graduate , and 2001 . Shot on location by Laszlo Kovacs , Easy Rider eschewed old - fashioned Hollywood polish for documentary - style immediacy , and it enhanced its casual feel with improvised dialogue and realistically "stoned" acting. With a soundtrack of contemporary rock songs by Jimi Hendrix , the Band , and Steppenwolf to complete the atmosphere , Easy Rider was hailed for capturing the increasingly violent Vietnam - era split between the counterculture and the repressive Establishment. Experiencing the "shock of recognition , " youth audiences embraced Easy Rider 's vision of both the attractions and the limits of dropping out , proving that audience's box - office power and turning Nicholson into a movie star. The momentarily hip Academy nominated Nicholson for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar , and Fonda , Hopper , and Terry Southern for their screenplay. Though none of its imitators would match its impact , Easy Rider remains one of the seminal works of late '60s Hollywood both for its trailblazing legacy and its sharply perceptive portrait of its chaotic times.

Opening with a silent "movie" of Butch Cassidy's Hole in the Wall Gang George Roy Hill's comically elegiac Western chronicles the mostly true tale of the outlaws' last months. Witty pals Butch (Paul Newman) and Sundance (Robert Redford) join the Gang in successfully robbing yet another train with their trademark non-lethal style. After the pair rests at the home of Sundance's schoolmarm girlfriend Etta (Katharine Ross) the Gang robs the same train but this time the railroad boss has hired the best trackers in the business to foil the crime. After being tailed over rocks and a river gorge by guys that they can barely identify save for a white hat Butch and Sundance decide that maybe it's time to try their luck in Bolivia. Taking Etta with them they live high on ill-gotten Bolivian gains but Etta leaves after their white-hatted nemesis portentously arrives. Their luck running out Butch and Sundance are soon holed up in a barn surrounded by scores of Bolivian soldiers who are waiting for the pair to make one last run for it.

Opening with a silent "movie" of Butch Cassidy's Hole in the Wall Gang , George Roy Hill 's comically elegiac Western chronicles the mostly true tale of the outlaws' last months. Witty pals Butch ( Paul Newman ) and Sundance ( Robert Redford ) join the Gang in successfully robbing yet another train with their trademark non - lethal style. After the pair rests at the home of Sundance's schoolmarm girlfriend , Etta ( Katharine Ross ), the Gang robs the same train , but this time , the railroad boss has hired the best trackers in the business to foil the crime. After being tailed over rocks and a river gorge by guys that they can barely identify save for a white hat , Butch and Sundance decide that maybe it's time to try their luck in Bolivia. Taking Etta with them , they live high on ill - gotten Bolivian gains , but Etta leaves after their white - hatted nemesis portentously arrives. Their luck running out , Butch and Sundance are soon holed up in a barn surrounded by scores of Bolivian soldiers who are waiting for the pair to make one last run for it.

A mind-bending sci-fi symphony Stanley Kubrick's landmark 1968 epic pushed the limits of narrative and special effects toward a meditation on technology and humanity. Based on Arthur C. Clarke's story The Sentinel Kubrick and Clarke's screenplay is structured in four movements. At the "Dawn of Man" a group of hominids encounters a mysterious black monolith alien to their surroundings. To the strains of Strauss's 1896 Also sprach Zarathustra a hominid invents the first weapon using a bone to kill prey. As the hominid tosses the bone in the air Kubrick cuts to a 21st century spacecraft hovering over the Earth skipping ahead millions of years in technological development. U.S. scientist Dr. Heywood Floyd (William Sylvester) travels to the moon to check out the discovery of a strange object on the moon's surface: a black monolith. As the sun's rays strike the stone however it emits a piercing deafening sound that fills the investigators' headphones and stops them in their path. Cutting ahead 18 months impassive astronauts David Bowman (Keir Dullea) and Frank Poole (Gary Lockwood) head toward Jupiter on the spaceship Discovery their only company three hibernating astronauts and the vocal man-made HAL 9000 computer running the entire ship. When the all-too-human HAL malfunctions however he tries to murder the astronauts to cover his error forcing Bowman to defend himself the only way he can. Free of HAL and finally informed of the voyage's purpose by a recording from Floyd Bowman journeys to "Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite" through the psychedelic slit-scan star-gate to an 18th century room and the completion of the monolith's evolutionary mission. With assistance from special-effects expert Douglas Trumbull Kubrick spent over two years meticulously creating the most "realistic" depictions of outer space ever seen greatly advancing cinematic technology for a story expressing grave doubts about technology itself. Despite some initial critical reservations that it was too long and too dull 2001 became one of the most popular films of 1968 underlining the generation gap between young moviegoers who wanted to see something new and challenging and oldsters who "didn't get it." Provocatively billed as "the ultimate trip" 2001 quickly caught on with a counterculture youth audience open to a contemplative (i.e. chemically enhanced) viewing experience of a film suggesting that the way to enlightenment was to free one's mind of the U.S. military-industrial-technological complex.

A mind - bending sci - fi symphony , Stanley Kubrick 's landmark 1968 epic pushed the limits of narrative and special effects toward a meditation on technology and humanity. Based on Arthur C. Clarke 's story The Sentinel , Kubrick and Clarke 's screenplay is structured in four movements. At the "Dawn of Man , " a group of hominids encounters a mysterious black monolith alien to their surroundings. To the strains of Strauss 's 1896 Also sprach Zarathustra , a hominid invents the first weapon , using a bone to kill prey. As the hominid tosses the bone in the air , Kubrick cuts to a 21st century spacecraft hovering over the Earth , skipping ahead millions of years in technological development. U.S. scientist Dr. Heywood Floyd ( William Sylvester ) travels to the moon to check out the discovery of a strange object on the moon's surface : a black monolith. As the sun's rays strike the stone , however , it emits a piercing , deafening sound that fills the investigators' headphones and stops them in their path. Cutting ahead 18 months , impassive astronauts David Bowman ( Keir Dullea ) and Frank Poole ( Gary Lockwood ) head toward Jupiter on the spaceship Discovery , their only company three hibernating astronauts and the vocal , man - made HAL 9000 computer running the entire ship. When the all - too - human HAL malfunctions , however , he tries to murder the astronauts to cover his error , forcing Bowman to defend himself the only way he can. Free of HAL , and finally informed of the voyage's purpose by a recording from Floyd , Bowman journeys to "Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite , " through the psychedelic slit - scan star - gate to an 18th century room , and the completion of the monolith's evolutionary mission. With assistance from special - effects expert Douglas Trumbull , Kubrick spent over two years meticulously creating the most "realistic" depictions of outer space ever seen , greatly advancing cinematic technology for a story expressing grave doubts about technology itself. Despite some initial critical reservations that it was too long and too dull , 2001 became one of the most popular films of 1968 , underlining the generation gap between young moviegoers who wanted to see something new and challenging and oldsters who "didn't get it." Provocatively billed as "the ultimate trip , " 2001 quickly caught on with a counterculture youth audience open to a contemplative ( i.e. chemically enhanced ) viewing experience of a film suggesting that the way to enlightenment was to free one's mind of the U.S. military - industrial - technological complex.

Z is one of the most politically insightful films ever made exposing government hypocrisy and cover-up in the wake of a political assassination. Zei (Yves Montand) is a scientist who is scheduled to give a speech against the use of the atomic bomb. On the way to the event he is attacked outside the auditorium by a group of right-wing extremists with political ties to the government as the police stand by and do nothing to intervene. He recovers long enough to make the speech but is later clubbed again and must undergo several surgeries then dies during one of the procedures. A newspaper reporter finds a witness to the event and a judge willing to hear the case despite government protests. The ensuing trial reveals a government conspiracy but the results of the trial are thrown out when a new government is formed by a military coup which results in the intolerance that outlaws long hair the Beatles and any peaceful protests. Director Costa-Gavras used actual trial transcripts of the investigation into the May 22 1963 assassination of Greek pacifist leader Gregoris Lambrakis which proved a government conspiracy in his death. Yves Montand gives the best dramatic performance of his life and Irene Papas stars as his wife Helena. Z won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film of 1969 was 14th in terms of box-office success and hit an international nerve in the age of social unrest government cover-up and political assassinations. All those involved worked on the film for a reduced rate with an option for royalties based on earnings at the theater window. The letter Z in the Greek alphabet means "he is alive."

Z is one of the most politically insightful films ever made , exposing government hypocrisy and cover - up in the wake of a political assassination. Zei ( Yves Montand ) is a scientist who is scheduled to give a speech against the use of the atomic bomb. On the way to the event , he is attacked outside the auditorium by a group of right - wing extremists with political ties to the government as the police stand by and do nothing to intervene. He recovers long enough to make the speech but is later clubbed again and must undergo several surgeries , then dies during one of the procedures. A newspaper reporter finds a witness to the event and a judge willing to hear the case despite government protests. The ensuing trial reveals a government conspiracy , but the results of the trial are thrown out when a new government is formed by a military coup , which results in the intolerance that outlaws long hair , the Beatles , and any peaceful protests. Director Costa - Gavras used actual trial transcripts of the investigation into the May 22 , 1963 , assassination of Greek pacifist leader Gregoris Lambrakis , which proved a government conspiracy in his death. Yves Montand gives the best dramatic performance of his life , and Irene Papas stars as his wife , Helena. Z won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film of 1969 , was 14th in terms of box - office success , and hit an international nerve in the age of social unrest , government cover - up , and political assassinations. All those involved worked on the film for a reduced rate with an option for royalties based on earnings at the theater window. The letter Z in the Greek alphabet means "he is alive."

Four years after setting box offices ablaze in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Paul Newman Robert Redford and director George Roy Hill re-teamed with similar success for The Sting. Redford plays Depression-era confidence trickster Johnny Hooker whose friend and mentor Luther Coleman (Robert Earl Jones) is murdered by racketeer/gambler Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw). Hoping to avenge Luther's death Johnny begins planning a "sting" -- an elaborate scam -- to destroy Lonnegan. He enlists the aid of "the greatest con artist of them all" Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman) who pulls himself out of a drunken stupor and rises to the occasion. Hooker and Gondorff gather together an impressive array of con men all of whom despise Lonnegan and wish to settle accounts on behalf of Luther. The twists and surprises that follow are too complex to relate in detail -- suffice to say that you can't cheat an honest man and that you shouldn't accept everything at face value. The Sting became one of the biggest hits of the early '70s; grossing 68.5 million dollars during its first run the film also picked up seven Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Director Best Screenplay and Best Adapted Score for Marvin Hamlisch's unforgettable setting of Scott Joplin's ragtime music.

Four years after setting box offices ablaze in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid , Paul Newman , Robert Redford , and director George Roy Hill re - teamed with similar success for The Sting . Redford plays Depression - era confidence trickster Johnny Hooker , whose friend and mentor Luther Coleman ( Robert Earl Jones ) is murdered by racketeer / gambler Doyle Lonnegan ( Robert Shaw ) . Hoping to avenge Luther's death , Johnny begins planning a "sting" -- an elaborate scam -- to destroy Lonnegan. He enlists the aid of "the greatest con artist of them all , " Henry Gondorff ( Paul Newman ), who pulls himself out of a drunken stupor and rises to the occasion. Hooker and Gondorff gather together an impressive array of con men , all of whom despise Lonnegan and wish to settle accounts on behalf of Luther. The twists and surprises that follow are too complex to relate in detail -- suffice to say that you can't cheat an honest man , and that you shouldn't accept everything at face value. The Sting became one of the biggest hits of the early '70s ; grossing 68.5 million dollars during its first run , the film also picked up seven Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Director , Best Screenplay , and Best Adapted Score for Marvin Hamlisch 's unforgettable setting of Scott Joplin 's ragtime music.

George Lucas' mythological popcorn movie is a two-hour roller-coaster ride that has passed into movie legend. The story for the tiny number of people not familiar with it concerns a farm boy named Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) who discovers that the used robot recently purchased by his family plays back a message from one Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) begging for help from Obi-Wan Kenobi. Luke asks his father's friend Ben Kenobi (Alec Guinness) about this and he discovers that Ben and Obi-Wan are one and the same. Kenobi tells Luke of the battle of the rebels against the ruling Empire and the spiritual energy called "The Force." Soon Luke Kenobi and a mercenary named Han Solo (Harrison Ford) join forces to rescue Princess Leia from the Empire's mammoth warship the Death Star controlled by evil genius Darth Vader (David Prowse with the voice of James Earl Jones). George Lucas has frequently cited the influence of several films on Star Wars particularly Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress and Yojimbo and John Ford's The Searchers as well as the original Flash Gordon serials. After Star Wars became a success Lucas announced his intention to turn the film into a series originally totalling nine films (later pared back to six). Consequently most reissue prints now feature the title Star Wars: Episode IV -- A New Hope with The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983) serving as Episodes Five and Six in the serial and Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace (1999) going back to the myth's beginnings.

George Lucas ' mythological popcorn movie is a two - hour roller - coaster ride that has passed into movie legend. The story , for the tiny number of people not familiar with it , concerns a farm boy named Luke Skywalker ( Mark Hamill ) who discovers that the used robot recently purchased by his family plays back a message from one Princess Leia ( Carrie Fisher ), begging for help from Obi - Wan Kenobi. Luke asks his father's friend Ben Kenobi ( Alec Guinness ) about this , and he discovers that Ben and Obi - Wan are one and the same. Kenobi tells Luke of the battle of the rebels against the ruling Empire and the spiritual energy called "The Force." Soon Luke , Kenobi , and a mercenary named Han Solo ( Harrison Ford ) join forces to rescue Princess Leia from the Empire's mammoth warship , the Death Star , controlled by evil genius Darth Vader ( David Prowse , with the voice of James Earl Jones ) . George Lucas has frequently cited the influence of several films on Star Wars , particularly Akira Kurosawa 's The Hidden Fortress and Yojimbo and John Ford 's The Searchers , as well as the original Flash Gordon serials. After Star Wars became a success , Lucas announced his intention to turn the film into a series , originally totalling nine films ( later pared back to six ) . Consequently , most reissue prints now feature the title Star Wars : Episode IV -- A New Hope , with The Empire Strikes Back ( 1980 ) and Return of the Jedi ( 1983 ) serving as Episodes Five and Six in the serial , and Star Wars : Episode I -- The Phantom Menace ( 1999 ) going back to the myth's beginnings.

With an insane asylum standing in for everyday society Milos Forman's 1975 film adaptation of Ken Kesey's novel is a comically sharp indictment of the Establishment urge to conform. Playing crazy to avoid prison work detail manic free spirit Randle P. McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) is sent to the state mental hospital for evaluation. There he encounters a motley crew of mostly voluntary inmates including cowed mama's boy Billy (Brad Dourif) and silent Native American Chief Bromden (Will Sampson) presided over by the icy Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher). Ratched and McMurphy recognize that each is the other's worst enemy: an authority figure who equates sanity with correct behavior and a misfit who is charismatic enough to dismantle the system simply by living as he pleases. McMurphy proceeds to instigate group insurrections large and small ranging from a restorative basketball game to an unfettered afternoon boat trip and a tragic after-hours party with hookers and booze. Nurse Ratched however has the machinery of power on her side to ensure that McMurphy will not defeat her. Still McMurphy's message to live free or die is ultimately not lost on one inmate revealing that escape is still possible even from the most oppressive conditions.

With an insane asylum standing in for everyday society , Milos Forman 's 1975 film adaptation of Ken Kesey 's novel is a comically sharp indictment of the Establishment urge to conform. Playing crazy to avoid prison work detail , manic free spirit Randle P. McMurphy ( Jack Nicholson ) is sent to the state mental hospital for evaluation. There he encounters a motley crew of mostly voluntary inmates , including cowed mama's boy Billy ( Brad Dourif ) and silent Native American Chief Bromden ( Will Sampson ), presided over by the icy Nurse Ratched ( Louise Fletcher ) . Ratched and McMurphy recognize that each is the other's worst enemy : an authority figure who equates sanity with correct behavior , and a misfit who is charismatic enough to dismantle the system simply by living as he pleases. McMurphy proceeds to instigate group insurrections large and small , ranging from a restorative basketball game to an unfettered afternoon boat trip and a tragic after - hours party with hookers and booze. Nurse Ratched , however , has the machinery of power on her side to ensure that McMurphy will not defeat her. Still , McMurphy's message to live free or die is ultimately not lost on one inmate , revealing that escape is still possible even from the most oppressive conditions.

A trenchant satire of "trash TV" Network seems to grow only more relevant with each passing year. Howard Beale (Peter Finch) the dean of newscasters at the United Broadcasting System is put out to pasture because he "skews old." Network executive Max Schumacher (William Holden) Howard's best friend is forced to deliver the bad news. Beale can't stomach the idea of losing his 25-year post as anchorman simply because of age so in his next broadcast he announces to the viewers that he's going to commit suicide on his final program. Network head Frank Hackett (Robert Duvall) is all for kicking Beale out then and there but when it looks as though the UBS is going to have its greatest ratings ever on the night of Beale's self-destruction ambitious programming exec Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway) talks Hackett into treating that fateful final telecast as a special event. Naturally Beale doesn't go through with it -- but he does begin rambling about the horrible state of the world in general and television in particular. He concludes his tirade by admonishing his viewers to "Go to the window and shout as loud as you can: 'I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!'" With that Howard Beale becomes the hottest TV personality in America and Diana becomes the network's fair-haired girl. She draws up plans to treat the nightly news broadcast as garish entertainment (complete with a psychic) all built around the rants of Beale billed as "The Mad Prophet of the Airwaves." Network won Oscars for Paddy Chayefsky's screenplay as well as for three of four acting categories -- Dunaway for Best Actress Peter Finch for Best Actor (in the only posthumous Oscar yet awarded) and Beatrice Straight for Best Supporting Actress in one of the shortest-screen-time performances ever to win an Oscar.

A trenchant satire of "trash TV , " Network seems to grow only more relevant with each passing year. Howard Beale ( Peter Finch ), the dean of newscasters at the United Broadcasting System , is put out to pasture because he "skews old." Network executive Max Schumacher ( William Holden ), Howard's best friend , is forced to deliver the bad news. Beale can't stomach the idea of losing his 25 - year post as anchorman simply because of age , so in his next broadcast he announces to the viewers that he's going to commit suicide on his final program. Network head Frank Hackett ( Robert Duvall ) is all for kicking Beale out then and there , but when it looks as though the UBS is going to have its greatest ratings ever on the night of Beale's self - destruction , ambitious programming exec Diana Christensen ( Faye Dunaway ) talks Hackett into treating that fateful final telecast as a special event. Naturally , Beale doesn't go through with it -- but he does begin rambling about the horrible state of the world in general and television in particular. He concludes his tirade by admonishing his viewers to "Go to the window and shout as loud as you can : 'I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!'" With that , Howard Beale becomes the hottest TV personality in America , and Diana becomes the network's fair - haired girl. She draws up plans to treat the nightly news broadcast as garish entertainment ( complete with a psychic ), all built around the rants of Beale , billed as "The Mad Prophet of the Airwaves." Network won Oscars for Paddy Chayefsky 's screenplay as well as for three of four acting categories -- Dunaway for Best Actress , Peter Finch for Best Actor ( in the only posthumous Oscar yet awarded ), and Beatrice Straight for Best Supporting Actress , in one of the shortest - screen - time performances ever to win an Oscar.

ased on Peter Benchley's best-selling novel Steven Spielberg's 1975 shark saga set the standard for the New Hollywood popcorn blockbuster while frightening millions of moviegoers out of the water. One early summer night on fictional Atlantic resort Amity Island Chrissie decides to take a moonlight skinny dip while her friends party on the beach. Yanked suddenly below the ocean surface she never returns. When pieces of her wash ashore Police Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) suspects the worst but Mayor Vaughn (Murray Hamilton) mindful of the lucrative tourist trade and the approaching July 4th holiday refuses to put the island on a business-killing shark alert. After the shark dines on a few more victims the Mayor orders the local fishermen to catch the culprit. Satisfied with the shark they find the greedy Mayor reopens the beaches despite the warning from visiting ichthyologist Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) that the attacks were probably caused by a far more formidable Great White. One more fatality later Brody and Hooper join forces with flinty old salt Quint (Robert Shaw) the only local fisherman willing to take on a Great White--especially since the price is right. The three ride off on Quint's boat "The Orca" soon coming face to teeth with the enemy.

Based on Peter Benchley 's best - selling novel , Steven Spielberg 's 1975 shark saga set the standard for the New Hollywood popcorn blockbuster while frightening millions of moviegoers out of the water. One early summer night on fictional Atlantic resort Amity Island , Chrissie decides to take a moonlight skinny dip while her friends party on the beach. Yanked suddenly below the ocean surface , she never returns. When pieces of her wash ashore , Police Chief Brody ( Roy Scheider ) suspects the worst , but Mayor Vaughn ( Murray Hamilton ), mindful of the lucrative tourist trade and the approaching July 4th holiday , refuses to put the island on a business - killing shark alert. After the shark dines on a few more victims , the Mayor orders the local fishermen to catch the culprit. Satisfied with the shark they find , the greedy Mayor reopens the beaches , despite the warning from visiting ichthyologist Hooper ( Richard Dreyfuss ) that the attacks were probably caused by a far more formidable Great White. One more fatality later , Brody and Hooper join forces with flinty old salt Quint ( Robert Shaw ), the only local fisherman willing to take on a Great White -- especially since the price is right. The three ride off on Quint's boat "The Orca , " soon coming face to teeth with the enemy.

One of several 1978 films dealing with the Vietnam War (including Hal Ashby's Oscar-winning Coming Home) Michael Cimino's epic second feature The Deer Hunter was both renowned for its tough portrayal of the war's effect on American working class steel workers and notorious for its ahistorical use of Russian roulette in the Vietnam sequences. Structured in five sections contrasting home and war the film opens in Clairton PA as Mike (Robert De Niro) Nick (Christopher Walken) and Stan (John Cazale in his last film) celebrate the wedding of their friend Steve (John Savage) and go on a final deer hunt before the men leave for Vietnam. Mike treats hunting as a test of skill lecturing Stan about the value of "one shot" deer slaying and brushing off Nick's urgings to appreciate nature's beauty. As Mike ruminates post-hunt the film cuts to the horror of Vietnam where the men are captured by Vietcong soldiers who force Mike and Nick to play Russian roulette for the V.C.'s amusement. Mike turns the game to his advantage so they can escape captivity but the men are permanently scarred by the episode. Steve loses his legs; Nick vanishes in the Saigon Russian roulette parlors. Mike returns alone to Clairton a changed man as he rejects the killing of the deer hunt and finds solace with Nick's old girlfriend Linda (Meryl Streep). Disgusted by the antics of his male cohorts at home Mike decides to bring Steve back from a veterans' hospital and he returns to Saigon to find Nick. As Saigon falls Mike discovers how far gone Nick is; the survivors gather in Clairton for a funeral breakfast singing an impromptu rendition of "God Bless America."

One of several 1978 films dealing with the Vietnam War ( including Hal Ashby 's Oscar - winning Coming Home ), Michael Cimino 's epic second feature The Deer Hunter was both renowned for its tough portrayal of the war's effect on American working class steel workers and notorious for its ahistorical use of Russian roulette in the Vietnam sequences. Structured in five sections contrasting home and war , the film opens in Clairton , PA , as Mike ( Robert De Niro ), Nick ( Christopher Walken ), and Stan ( John Cazale , in his last film ) celebrate the wedding of their friend Steve ( John Savage ) and go on a final deer hunt before the men leave for Vietnam. Mike treats hunting as a test of skill , lecturing Stan about the value of "one shot" deer slaying and brushing off Nick's urgings to appreciate nature's beauty. As Mike ruminates post - hunt , the film cuts to the horror of Vietnam , where the men are captured by Vietcong soldiers who force Mike and Nick to play Russian roulette for the V.C.'s amusement. Mike turns the game to his advantage so they can escape captivity , but the men are permanently scarred by the episode. Steve loses his legs ; Nick vanishes in the Saigon Russian roulette parlors. Mike returns alone to Clairton a changed man , as he rejects the killing of the deer hunt and finds solace with Nick's old girlfriend Linda ( Meryl Streep ) . Disgusted by the antics of his male cohorts at home , Mike decides to bring Steve back from a veterans' hospital , and he returns to Saigon to find Nick. As Saigon falls , Mike discovers how far gone Nick is ; the survivors gather in Clairton for a funeral breakfast , singing an impromptu rendition of "God Bless America."

Cries and Whispers stars Liv Ullman and Ingrid Thulin as the sisters of dying cancer patient Harriet Andersson. Both sisters have already had brushes with death: Ullman has had an affair which prompted her husband's suicide while Thulin has long wanted to do away with herself at one point mutilating her own vagina out of self-hatred. As for Andersson she has been in pain so long that she feels as though she's in the midst of death-in-life. With her two sisters wrapped up in their own problems Harriet turns to her housekeeper Kari Sylwan for comfort; Sylwan has herself suffered the death of a child and has developed a philosophical attitude towards impending doom. One of the most influential moments of the film -- when two of the sisters share the innermost thoughts that they'd kept from one another for so many years -- is filmed without benefit of dialogue with the music of Chopin (enhanced by cinematographer Sven Nykvist's carefully selected camera angles) "speaking" for the ladies. While Cries and Whispers only won the Oscar for cinematography the film did very well for itself in international awards contests.

Cries and Whispers stars Liv Ullman and Ingrid Thulin as the sisters of dying cancer patient Harriet Andersson . Both sisters have already had brushes with death : Ullman has had an affair which prompted her husband's suicide , while Thulin has long wanted to do away with herself , at one point mutilating her own vagina out of self - hatred. As for Andersson , she has been in pain so long that she feels as though she's in the midst of death - in - life. With her two sisters wrapped up in their own problems , Harriet turns to her housekeeper Kari Sylwan for comfort ; Sylwan has herself suffered the death of a child , and has developed a philosophical attitude towards impending doom. One of the most influential moments of the film -- when two of the sisters share the innermost thoughts that they'd kept from one another for so many years -- is filmed without benefit of dialogue , with the music of Chopin ( enhanced by cinematographer Sven Nykvist's carefully selected camera angles ) "speaking" for the ladies. While Cries and Whispers only won the Oscar for cinematography , the film did very well for itself in international awards contests.

Made between The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather Part II (1974) and in part an homage to Michelangelo Antonioni's art-movie classic Blow-Up (1966) The Conversation was a return to small-scale art films for Francis Ford Coppola. Sound surveillance expert Harry Caul (Gene Hackman) is hired to track a young couple (Cindy Williams and Frederic Forrest) taping their conversation as they walk through San Francisco's crowded Union Square. Knowing full well how technology can invade privacy Harry obsessively keeps to himself separating business from his personal life even refusing to discuss what he does or where he lives with his girlfriend Amy (Teri Garr). Harry's work starts to trouble him however as he comes to believe that the conversation he pieced together reveals a plot by the mysterious corporate "Director" who hired him to murder the couple. After he allows himself to be seduced by a call girl who then steals the tapes Harry is all the more convinced that a killing will occur and he can no longer separate his job from his conscience. Coppola cinematographer Bill Butler and Oscar-nominated sound editor Walter Murch convey the narrative through Harry's aural and visual experience beginning with the slow opening zoom of Union Square accompanied by the alternately muddled and clear sound of the couple's conversation caught by Harry's microphones. The Godfather Part II and The Conversation earned Coppola a rare pair of Oscar nominations for Best Picture as well as two nominations for Best Screenplay (The Godfather Part II won both). Praised by critics The Conversation was not a popular hit but it has since come to be seen as one of the artistic high points of the decade as well as of Coppola's career. Its atmosphere of paranoia and suspicion combined with its obsessive loner antihero made it prototypical of the darker "American art movies" of the early '70s as its audiotape storyline also made it seem eerily appropriate for the era of the Watergate scandal.

Made between The Godfather ( 1972 ) and The Godfather Part II ( 1974 ), and in part an homage to Michelangelo Antonioni 's art - movie classic Blow - Up ( 1966 ), The Conversation was a return to small - scale art films for Francis Ford Coppola . Sound surveillance expert Harry Caul ( Gene Hackman ) is hired to track a young couple ( Cindy Williams and Frederic Forrest ), taping their conversation as they walk through San Francisco's crowded Union Square. Knowing full well how technology can invade privacy , Harry obsessively keeps to himself , separating business from his personal life , even refusing to discuss what he does or where he lives with his girlfriend , Amy ( Teri Garr ) . Harry's work starts to trouble him , however , as he comes to believe that the conversation he pieced together reveals a plot by the mysterious corporate "Director" who hired him to murder the couple. After he allows himself to be seduced by a call girl , who then steals the tapes , Harry is all the more convinced that a killing will occur , and he can no longer separate his job from his conscience. Coppola , cinematographer Bill Butler , and Oscar - nominated sound editor Walter Murch convey the narrative through Harry's aural and visual experience , beginning with the slow opening zoom of Union Square accompanied by the alternately muddled and clear sound of the couple's conversation caught by Harry's microphones. The Godfather Part II and The Conversation earned Coppola a rare pair of Oscar nominations for Best Picture , as well as two nominations for Best Screenplay ( The Godfather Part II won both ) . Praised by critics , The Conversation was not a popular hit , but it has since come to be seen as one of the artistic high points of the decade , as well as of Coppola 's career. Its atmosphere of paranoia and suspicion , combined with its obsessive loner antihero , made it prototypical of the darker "American art movies" of the early '70s , as its audiotape storyline also made it seem eerily appropriate for the era of the Watergate scandal.

Steven Spielberg followed Jaws (1975) his first major box-office success with this epic science fiction adventure about a disparate group of people who attempt to contact alien intelligence. Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) is an electrical lineman who while sent out on emergency repairs witnesses an unidentified flying object and even has a "sunburn" from its bright lights to prove it. Neary's wife and children are at first skeptical then concerned and eventually fearful as Roy refuses to accept a "logical" explanation for what he saw and is prepared to give up his job his home and his family to pursue the "truth" about UFOs. Neary's obsession eventually puts him in contact with others who've had close encounters with alien spacecraft including Jillian (Melinda Dillon) a single mother whose son disappeared during her UFO experience and Claude Lacombe (celebrated French filmmaker François Truffaut) a French researcher who believes that we can use a musical language to communicate with alien visitors. Lacombe's theory is put to the test when a band of government researchers and underground UFO enthusiasts (including Neary) join for an exchange with alien visitors near Devil's Tower Wyoming. In 1980 a "Special Edition" was released. While its primary selling point was the addition of scenes inside the alien spaceship Spielberg claimed that he also cleaned up some choppy editing in the second act.

Steven Spielberg followed Jaws ( 1975 ), his first major box - office success , with this epic science fiction adventure about a disparate group of people who attempt to contact alien intelligence. Roy Neary ( Richard Dreyfuss ) is an electrical lineman who , while sent out on emergency repairs , witnesses an unidentified flying object , and even has a "sunburn" from its bright lights to prove it. Neary's wife and children are at first skeptical , then concerned , and eventually fearful , as Roy refuses to accept a "logical" explanation for what he saw and is prepared to give up his job , his home , and his family to pursue the "truth" about UFOs. Neary's obsession eventually puts him in contact with others who've had close encounters with alien spacecraft , including Jillian ( Melinda Dillon ), a single mother whose son disappeared during her UFO experience , and Claude Lacombe ( celebrated French filmmaker François Truffaut ), a French researcher who believes that we can use a musical language to communicate with alien visitors. Lacombe's theory is put to the test when a band of government researchers and underground UFO enthusiasts ( including Neary ) join for an exchange with alien visitors near Devil's Tower , Wyoming. In 1980 , a "Special Edition" was released. While its primary selling point was the addition of scenes inside the alien spaceship , Spielberg claimed that he also cleaned up some choppy editing in the second act.

Stanley Kubrick dissects the nature of violence in this darkly ironic near-future satire adapted from Anthony Burgess's novel complete with "Nadsat" slang. Classical music-loving proto-punk Alex (Malcolm McDowell) and his "Droogs" spend their nights getting high at the Korova Milkbar before embarking on "a little of the old ultraviolence" such as terrorizing a writer Mr. Alexander (Patrick Magee) and gang raping his wife (who later dies as a result). After Alex is jailed for bludgeoning the Cat Lady (Miriam Karlin) to death with one of her phallic sculptures Alex submits to the Ludovico behavior modification technique to earn his freedom; he's conditioned to abhor violence through watching gory movies and even his adored Beethoven is turned against him. Returned to the world defenseless Alex becomes the victim of his prior victims with Mr. Alexander using Beethoven's Ninth to inflict the greatest pain of all. When society sees what the state has done to Alex however the politically expedient move is made. Casting a coldly pessimistic view on the then-future of the late '70s-early '80s Kubrick and production designer John Barry created a world of high-tech cultural decay mixing old details like bowler hats with bizarrely alienating "new" environments like the Milkbar. Alex's violence is horrific yet it is an aesthetically calculated fact of his existence; his charisma makes the icily clinical Ludovico treatment seem more negatively abusive than positively therapeutic. Alex may be a sadist but the state's autocratic control is another violent act rather than a solution. Released in late 1971 (within weeks of Sam Peckinpah's brutally violent Straw Dogs) the film sparked considerable controversy in the U.S. with its X-rated violence; after copycat crimes in England Kubrick withdrew the film from British distribution until after his death. Opinion was divided on the meaning of Kubrick's detached view of this shocking future but whether the discord drew the curious or Kubrick's scathing diagnosis spoke to the chaotic cultural moment A Clockwork Orange became a hit. On the heels of New York Film Critics Circle awards as Best Film Best Director and Best Screenplay Kubrick received Oscar nominations in all three categories.

Stanley Kubrick dissects the nature of violence in this darkly ironic , near - future satire , adapted from Anthony Burgess 's novel , complete with "Nadsat" slang. Classical music - loving proto - punk Alex ( Malcolm McDowell ) and his "Droogs" spend their nights getting high at the Korova Milkbar before embarking on "a little of the old ultraviolence , " such as terrorizing a writer , Mr. Alexander ( Patrick Magee ), and gang raping his wife ( who later dies as a result ) . After Alex is jailed for bludgeoning the Cat Lady ( Miriam Karlin ) to death with one of her phallic sculptures , Alex submits to the Ludovico behavior modification technique to earn his freedom ; he's conditioned to abhor violence through watching gory movies , and even his adored Beethoven is turned against him. Returned to the world defenseless , Alex becomes the victim of his prior victims , with Mr. Alexander using Beethoven 's Ninth to inflict the greatest pain of all. When society sees what the state has done to Alex , however , the politically expedient move is made. Casting a coldly pessimistic view on the then - future of the late '70s - early '80s , Kubrick and production designer John Barry created a world of high - tech cultural decay , mixing old details like bowler hats with bizarrely alienating "new" environments like the Milkbar. Alex's violence is horrific , yet it is an aesthetically calculated fact of his existence ; his charisma makes the icily clinical Ludovico treatment seem more negatively abusive than positively therapeutic. Alex may be a sadist , but the state's autocratic control is another violent act , rather than a solution. Released in late 1971 ( within weeks of Sam Peckinpah 's brutally violent Straw Dogs ), the film sparked considerable controversy in the U.S. with its X - rated violence ; after copycat crimes in England , Kubrick withdrew the film from British distribution until after his death. Opinion was divided on the meaning of Kubrick 's detached view of this shocking future , but , whether the discord drew the curious or Kubrick 's scathing diagnosis spoke to the chaotic cultural moment , A Clockwork Orange became a hit. On the heels of New York Film Critics Circle awards as Best Film , Best Director , and Best Screenplay , Kubrick received Oscar nominations in all three categories.

"You may think you know what you're dealing with but believe me you don't" warns water baron Noah Cross (John Huston) when smooth cop-turned-private eye J.J. "Jake" Gittes (Jack Nicholson) starts nosing around Cross's water diversion scheme. That proves to be the ominous lesson of Chinatown Roman Polanski's critically lauded 1974 revision of 1940s film noir detective movies. In 1930s Los Angeles "matrimonial work" specialist Gittes is hired by Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) to tail her husband Water Department engineer Hollis Mulwray (Darrell Zwerling). Gittes photographs him in the company of a young blonde and figures the case is closed only to discover that the real Mrs. Mulwray had nothing to do with hiring Gittes in the first place. When Hollis turns up dead Gittes decides to investigate further encountering a shady old-age home corrupt bureaucrats angry orange farmers and a nostril-slicing thug (Polanski) along the way. By the time he confronts Cross Evelyn's father and Mulwray's former business partner Jake thinks he knows everything but an even more sordid truth awaits him. When circumstances force Jake to return to his old beat in Chinatown he realizes just how impotent he is against the wealthy depraved Cross. "Forget it Jake" his old partner tells him. "It's Chinatown." Reworking the somber underpinnings of detective noir along more pessimistic lines Polanski and screenwriter Robert Towne convey a '70s-inflected critique of capitalist and bureaucratic malevolence in a carefully detailed period piece harkening back to the genre's roots in the 1930s and '40s. Gittes always has a smart comeback like Humphrey Bogart's Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe but the corruption Gittes finds is too deep for one man to stop. Other noir revisions such as Robert Altman's The Long Goodbye (1973) and Arthur Penn's Night Moves (1975) also centered on the detective's inefficacy in an uncertain '70s world but Chinatown's period sheen renders this dilemma at once contemporary and timeless pointing to larger implications about the effects of corporate rapaciousness on individuals. Polanski and Towne clashed over Chinatown's ending; Polanski won the fight but Towne won the Oscar for Best Screenplay. Chinatown was nominated for ten other Oscars including Picture Director Actor Actress Cinematography Art Direction Costumes and Score.

"You may think you know what you're dealing with , but believe me , you don't , " warns water baron Noah Cross ( John Huston ), when smooth cop - turned - private eye J.J. "Jake" Gittes ( Jack Nicholson ) starts nosing around Cross's water diversion scheme. That proves to be the ominous lesson of Chinatown , Roman Polanski 's critically lauded 1974 revision of 1940s film noir detective movies. In 1930s Los Angeles , "matrimonial work" specialist Gittes is hired by Evelyn Mulwray ( Faye Dunaway ) to tail her husband , Water Department engineer Hollis Mulwray ( Darrell Zwerling ) . Gittes photographs him in the company of a young blonde and figures the case is closed , only to discover that the real Mrs. Mulwray had nothing to do with hiring Gittes in the first place. When Hollis turns up dead , Gittes decides to investigate further , encountering a shady old - age home , corrupt bureaucrats , angry orange farmers , and a nostril - slicing thug ( Polanski ) along the way. By the time he confronts Cross , Evelyn's father and Mulwray's former business partner , Jake thinks he knows everything , but an even more sordid truth awaits him. When circumstances force Jake to return to his old beat in Chinatown , he realizes just how impotent he is against the wealthy , depraved Cross. "Forget it , Jake , " his old partner tells him. "It's Chinatown." Reworking the somber underpinnings of detective noir along more pessimistic lines , Polanski and screenwriter Robert Towne convey a '70s - inflected critique of capitalist and bureaucratic malevolence in a carefully detailed period piece harkening back to the genre's roots in the 1930s and '40s. Gittes always has a smart comeback like Humphrey Bogart 's Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe , but the corruption Gittes finds is too deep for one man to stop. Other noir revisions , such as Robert Altman 's The Long Goodbye ( 1973 ) and Arthur Penn 's Night Moves ( 1975 ), also centered on the detective's inefficacy in an uncertain '70s world , but Chinatown 's period sheen renders this dilemma at once contemporary and timeless , pointing to larger implications about the effects of corporate rapaciousness on individuals. Polanski and Towne clashed over Chinatown 's ending ; Polanski won the fight , but Towne won the Oscar for Best Screenplay. Chinatown was nominated for ten other Oscars , including Picture , Director , Actor , Actress , Cinematography , Art Direction , Costumes , and Score.

It's the last night of summer 1962 and the teenagers of Modesto California want to have some fun before adult responsibilities close in. Among them are Steve (Ron Howard) and Curt (Richard Dreyfuss) college-bound with mixed feelings about leaving home; nerdy Terry "The Toad" (Charles Martin Smith) who scores a dream date with blonde Debbie (Candy Clark); and John (Paul Le Mat ) a 22-year-old drag racer who wonders how much longer he can stay champion and how he got stuck with 13-year-old Carol (Mackenzie Phillips) in his deuce coupe. As D. J. Wolfman Jack spins 41 vintage tunes on the radio throughout the night Steve ponders a future with girlfriend Laurie (Cindy Williams) Curt chases a mystery blonde Terry tries to act cool and Paul prepares for a race against Bob Falfa (Harrison Ford) but nothing can stop the next day from coming and with it the vastly different future ushered in by the 1960s. Fresh off The Godfather (1972) producer Francis Ford Coppola had the clout to get his friend George Lucas's project made but only for $750000 on a 28-day shooting schedule. Despite technical obstacles and having to shoot at night cinematographer Haskell Wexler gave the film the neon-lit aura that Lucas wanted evoking the authentic look of a suburban strip to go with the authentic sound of rock-n-roll. Universal which wanted to call the film Another Slow Night in Modesto thought it was unreleasable. But Lucas' period detail co-writers Willard Huyck's and Gloria Katz's realistic dialogue and the film's nostalgia for the pre-Vietnam years apparently appealed to a 1973 audience embroiled in cultural chaos: American Graffiti became the third most popular movie of 1973 (after The Exorcist and The Sting) establishing the reputations of Lucas (whose next film would be Star Wars) and his young cast and furthering the onset of soundtrack-driven youth-oriented movies. Although the film helped spark 1970s nostalgia for the 1950s nothing else would capture the flavor of the era with the same humorous candor and latent sense of foreboding.

It's the last night of summer 1962 , and the teenagers of Modesto , California , want to have some fun before adult responsibilities close in. Among them are Steve ( Ron Howard ) and Curt ( Richard Dreyfuss ), college - bound with mixed feelings about leaving home ; nerdy Terry "The Toad" ( Charles Martin Smith ), who scores a dream date with blonde Debbie ( Candy Clark ); and John ( Paul Le Mat ), a 22 - year - old drag racer who wonders how much longer he can stay champion and how he got stuck with 13 - year - old Carol ( Mackenzie Phillips ) in his deuce coupe. As D. J. Wolfman Jack spins 41 vintage tunes on the radio throughout the night , Steve ponders a future with girlfriend Laurie ( Cindy Williams ), Curt chases a mystery blonde , Terry tries to act cool , and Paul prepares for a race against Bob Falfa ( Harrison Ford ), but nothing can stop the next day from coming , and with it the vastly different future ushered in by the 1960s. Fresh off The Godfather ( 1972 ), producer Francis Ford Coppola had the clout to get his friend George Lucas 's project made , but only for $750 , 000 on a 28 - day shooting schedule. Despite technical obstacles , and having to shoot at night , cinematographer Haskell Wexler gave the film the neon - lit aura that Lucas wanted , evoking the authentic look of a suburban strip to go with the authentic sound of rock - n - roll. Universal , which wanted to call the film Another Slow Night in Modesto , thought it was unreleasable. But Lucas ' period detail , co - writers Willard Huyck 's and Gloria Katz 's realistic dialogue , and the film's nostalgia for the pre - Vietnam years apparently appealed to a 1973 audience embroiled in cultural chaos : American Graffiti became the third most popular movie of 1973 ( after The Exorcist and The Sting ), establishing the reputations of Lucas ( whose next film would be Star Wars ) and his young cast , and furthering the onset of soundtrack - driven , youth - oriented movies. Although the film helped spark 1970s nostalgia for the 1950s , nothing else would capture the flavor of the era with the same humorous candor and latent sense of foreboding.

Conspiracy film specialist Alan J. Pakula turned journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein's best-selling account of their Watergate investigation into one of the hit films of Bicentennial year 1976. While researching a story about a botched 1972 burglary of Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate apartment complex green Washington Post reporters/rivals Woodward (Robert Redford who also exec produced) and Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) stumble on a possible connection between the burglars and a White House staffer. With the circumspect approval of executive editor Ben Bradlee (Jason Robards) the pair digs deeper. Aided by a guilt-ridden turncoat bookkeeper (Jane Alexander) and the vital if cryptic guidance of Woodward's mystery source Deep Throat (Hal Holbrook) Woodward and Bernstein "follow the money" all the way to the top of the Nixon administration. Despite Deep Throat's warnings that their lives are in danger and the reluctance of older Post editors Woodward and Bernstein are determined to get out the story of the crime and its presidential cover-up. Once Bradlee is convinced the final teletype impassively taps out the historically explosive results.

Conspiracy film specialist Alan J. Pakula turned journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein 's best - selling account of their Watergate investigation into one of the hit films of Bicentennial year 1976. While researching a story about a botched 1972 burglary of Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate apartment complex , green Washington Post reporters / rivals Woodward ( Robert Redford , who also exec produced ) and Bernstein ( Dustin Hoffman ) stumble on a possible connection between the burglars and a White House staffer. With the circumspect approval of executive editor Ben Bradlee ( Jason Robards ), the pair digs deeper. Aided by a guilt - ridden turncoat bookkeeper ( Jane Alexander ) and the vital if cryptic guidance of Woodward's mystery source , Deep Throat ( Hal Holbrook ), Woodward and Bernstein "follow the money" all the way to the top of the Nixon administration. Despite Deep Throat's warnings that their lives are in danger , and the reluctance of older Post editors , Woodward and Bernstein are determined to get out the story of the crime and its presidential cover - up. Once Bradlee is convinced , the final teletype impassively taps out the historically explosive results.

"Gorgeous goyish guy" meets Jewish radical girl in Sydney Pollack's glossy romance. In 1937 frizzy-haired Red co-ed Katie Morosky (Barbra Streisand) briefly captures the attention of preppy jock Hubbell Gardiner (Robert Redford) with her passionate pacifism while the writing talent beneath his privileged exterior entrances her. Almost eight years later the two are reunited in New York when well-coiffed leftist radio worker Katie spies military officer Hubbell snoozing in a nightclub. Through her force of will and in spite of his smug rich friends the two opposites fall in love sparring over Katie's activist zeal and Hubbell's writerly ambivalence after a failed first novel. They head to Hollywood so that Hubbell can write a screenplay for his buddy-turned-producer J.J. (Bradford Dillman). But the House Committee on Un-American Activities' Communist witch hunt in 1947 tears the pair apart as a pregnant Katie refuses to keep silent about the jailing of the Hollywood Ten while a faithless Hubbell decides to save his career. When the two meet again at the dawn of the '60s TV hack Hubbell and A-bomb protestor Katie feel the old pull but they have to decide if it's worth the grief. Although blacklisted writers had returned to Hollywood -- and won Oscars -- by the early 1970s the HUAC sections of Arthur Laurents's screenplay were still considered dicey resulting in substantial cuts; Laurents reportedly blamed star Redford for not fighting them hard enough. Regardless of the edits and critics' complaints about the film's schlockiness 1973 audiences went for the well-executed and still politically tinged weepie turning The Way We Were into one of the most popular films of 1973 and Redford into a major heartthrob. Streisand won an Oscar nomination for Best Actress and the Streisand-sung title tune won for Best Song. Despite the eviscerated politics The Way We Were poignantly captures the insoluble dilemma of reconciling private desires with public awareness.

"Gorgeous goyish guy" meets Jewish radical girl in Sydney Pollack 's glossy romance. In 1937 , frizzy - haired Red co - ed Katie Morosky ( Barbra Streisand ) briefly captures the attention of preppy jock Hubbell Gardiner ( Robert Redford ) with her passionate pacifism , while the writing talent beneath his privileged exterior entrances her. Almost eight years later , the two are reunited in New York , when well - coiffed leftist radio worker Katie spies military officer Hubbell snoozing in a nightclub. Through her force of will , and in spite of his smug rich friends , the two opposites fall in love , sparring over Katie's activist zeal and Hubbell's writerly ambivalence after a failed first novel. They head to Hollywood so that Hubbell can write a screenplay for his buddy - turned - producer J.J. ( Bradford Dillman ) . But the House Committee on Un - American Activities' Communist witch hunt in 1947 tears the pair apart , as a pregnant Katie refuses to keep silent about the jailing of the Hollywood Ten , while a faithless Hubbell decides to save his career. When the two meet again at the dawn of the '60s , TV hack Hubbell and A - bomb protestor Katie feel the old pull , but they have to decide if it's worth the grief. Although blacklisted writers had returned to Hollywood -- and won Oscars -- by the early 1970s , the HUAC sections of Arthur Laurents 's screenplay were still considered dicey , resulting in substantial cuts ; Laurents reportedly blamed star Redford for not fighting them hard enough. Regardless of the edits , and critics' complaints about the film's schlockiness , 1973 audiences went for the well - executed and still politically tinged weepie , turning The Way We Were into one of the most popular films of 1973 and Redford into a major heartthrob. Streisand won an Oscar nomination for Best Actress and the Streisand - sung title tune won for Best Song. Despite the eviscerated politics , The Way We Were poignantly captures the insoluble dilemma of reconciling private desires with public awareness.

Doc Levy (Roy Scheider) is an American secret agent who has been running interference between the U.S. government and escaped Nazi war criminal Szell (Laurence Olivier). Believing that Doc has stolen a valuable cache of gems Szell emerges from his South American hiding place and heads for New York. He has Doc killed then kidnaps Doc's in-the-dark brother Babe (Dustin Hoffman). Repeating the phrase "Is it safe?" over and over Szell a onetime concentration camp dentist tries to extract information from Babe by performing sadistic "oral surgery" upon him. Babe who still doesn't know about the gems escapes breaking his own self-imposed rule of nonviolence to defend himself against his pursuers and gearing up for sadistic revenge.

Doc Levy ( Roy Scheider ) is an American secret agent who has been running interference between the U.S. government and escaped Nazi war criminal Szell ( Laurence Olivier ) . Believing that Doc has stolen a valuable cache of gems , Szell emerges from his South American hiding place and heads for New York. He has Doc killed , then kidnaps Doc's in - the - dark brother , Babe ( Dustin Hoffman ) . Repeating the phrase "Is it safe?" over and over , Szell , a onetime concentration camp dentist , tries to extract information from Babe by performing sadistic "oral surgery" upon him. Babe , who still doesn't know about the gems , escapes , breaking his own self - imposed rule of nonviolence to defend himself against his pursuers and gearing up for sadistic revenge.

The first part of his "paranoia trilogy" Alan J. Pakula's 1971 thriller details the troubled life of a Manhattan prostitute stalked by one of her tricks. Investigating the disappearance of his friend Tom Gruneman (Robert Milli) rural Pennsylvania private eye John Klute (Donald Sutherland) follows a lead provided by Gruneman's associate Peter Cable (Charles Cioffi) to seek out a call girl who Gruneman knew in New York City. The call girl is Bree Daniels (Jane Fonda) an aspiring actress who turns tricks for the cash and to be free of emotional bondage. Klute follows Bree's every move observing the city's decadence and her isolation eventually contacting her about Gruneman. Bree claims not to know Gruneman but she does reveal that she has received threats from a john. As Bree becomes involved in Klute's search and realizes that she is in danger she reluctantly falls in love with Klute despite her wish to remain unattached to any man. When she finally comes face to face with the killer however she is forced to reconsider her detached urban life.

The first part of his "paranoia trilogy , " Alan J. Pakula 's 1971 thriller details the troubled life of a Manhattan prostitute stalked by one of her tricks. Investigating the disappearance of his friend Tom Gruneman ( Robert Milli ), rural Pennsylvania private eye John Klute ( Donald Sutherland ) follows a lead provided by Gruneman's associate Peter Cable ( Charles Cioffi ) to seek out a call girl who Gruneman knew in New York City. The call girl is Bree Daniels ( Jane Fonda ), an aspiring actress who turns tricks for the cash and to be free of emotional bondage. Klute follows Bree's every move , observing the city's decadence and her isolation , eventually contacting her about Gruneman. Bree claims not to know Gruneman , but she does reveal that she has received threats from a john. As Bree becomes involved in Klute's search and realizes that she is in danger , she reluctantly falls in love with Klute , despite her wish to remain unattached to any man. When she finally comes face to face with the killer , however , she is forced to reconsider her detached urban life.

"Grease" said the poster and the Barry Gibb song "is the word." Transferring its setting from Chicago to sunny California and adding a dash of disco to the ersatz '50s score producer Allan Carr and director Randal Kleiser turned this long-running Jim Jacobs-Warren Casey Broadway smash into the biggest blockbuster of 1978. 1950s teens Danny (John Travolta) and Australian transfer Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) spend their "Summer Nights" falling in love but once fall comes it's back to Rydell High and its cliques. As one of the bad-boy T-Birds Danny has to act cool for best pal Kenickie (Jeff Conaway) and their leather-clad mates Sonny (Michael Tucci) and Doody (Barry Pearl in the role Travolta played on-stage). Despite befriending Frenchy (Didi Conn) one of the rebel Pink Ladies virginal Sandy is "too pure to be Pink" as the Ladies' leader Rizzo (Stockard Channing) acidly observes. Declaring their devotion in such ballads as "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "Sandy" Sandy and Danny split reconcile and split again amidst a pep rally dances drive-ins and a drag race before deciding "You're the One That I Want" at the climactic carnival. With Travolta white-hot from Saturday Night Fever (1977) Grease soundtrack singles climbed the charts and summer movie crowds poured in. With the presence of Joan Blondell Eve Arden Sid Caesar Edd \"Kookie\" Byrnes and Frankie Avalon appealing to grown-up memories Grease became the highest-grossing film of 1978 the highest-grossing movie musical ever and the third most popular film of the new blockbuster '70s after Star Wars (1977) and Jaws (1975). Its sequel Grease 2 did not exactly set the world on fire in 1982.

"Grease , " said the poster and the Barry Gibb song , "is the word." Transferring its setting from Chicago to sunny California , and adding a dash of disco to the ersatz '50s score , producer Allan Carr and director Randal Kleiser turned this long - running Jim Jacobs - Warren Casey Broadway smash into the biggest blockbuster of 1978. 1950s teens Danny ( John Travolta ) and Australian transfer Sandy ( Olivia Newton - John ) spend their "Summer Nights" falling in love , but once fall comes , it's back to Rydell High and its cliques. As one of the bad - boy T - Birds , Danny has to act cool for best pal Kenickie ( Jeff Conaway ) and their leather - clad mates Sonny ( Michael Tucci ) and Doody ( Barry Pearl , in the role Travolta played on - stage ) . Despite befriending Frenchy ( Didi Conn ), one of the rebel Pink Ladies , virginal Sandy is "too pure to be Pink , " as the Ladies' leader , Rizzo ( Stockard Channing ), acidly observes. Declaring their devotion in such ballads as "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "Sandy , " Sandy and Danny split , reconcile , and split again amidst a pep rally , dances , drive - ins , and a drag race , before deciding "You're the One That I Want" at the climactic carnival. With Travolta white - hot from Saturday Night Fever ( 1977 ), Grease soundtrack singles climbed the charts and summer movie crowds poured in. With the presence of Joan Blondell , Eve Arden , Sid Caesar , Edd \ "Kookie \ " Byrnes , and Frankie Avalon appealing to grown - up memories , Grease became the highest - grossing film of 1978 , the highest - grossing movie musical ever , and the third most popular film of the new blockbuster '70s after Star Wars ( 1977 ) and Jaws ( 1975 ) . Its sequel , Grease 2 , did not exactly set the world on fire in 1982.

Hal Ashby's 1978 melodrama examines the impact of the Vietnam War on the "war at home" among the men who fought it and the women in their lives. Left alone in Los Angeles when her gung-ho Marine husband Bob (Bruce Dern) heads to Vietnam in 1968 proper wife Sally Hyde (Jane Fonda) decides to volunteer at the V.A. hospital where her new friend Vi (Penelope Milford) works. There she meets Luke Martin (Jon Voight) a former high-school classmate and Marine who has returned from 'Nam a bitter paraplegic. As their relationship grows Sally sees the effect of the war on the soldiers after they come back inspiring her to rethink her priorities; Luke's spirits begin to lift and a hospital tragedy helps focus his anger toward meaningful protest. After a Hong Kong visit with her increasingly withdrawn husband Sally finds a love and companionship with Luke that she had never known with her husband. Once Bob comes home with his own injury however the three must find a way to deal with a changing world and with a system that betrayed the men fighting for it.

Hal Ashby 's 1978 melodrama examines the impact of the Vietnam War on the "war at home" among the men who fought it and the women in their lives. Left alone in Los Angeles when her gung - ho Marine husband Bob ( Bruce Dern ) heads to Vietnam in 1968 , proper wife Sally Hyde ( Jane Fonda ) decides to volunteer at the V.A. hospital where her new friend Vi ( Penelope Milford ) works. There she meets Luke Martin ( Jon Voight ), a former high - school classmate and Marine who has returned from 'Nam a bitter paraplegic. As their relationship grows , Sally sees the effect of the war on the soldiers after they come back , inspiring her to rethink her priorities ; Luke's spirits begin to lift , and a hospital tragedy helps focus his anger toward meaningful protest. After a Hong Kong visit with her increasingly withdrawn husband , Sally finds a love and companionship with Luke that she had never known with her husband. Once Bob comes home with his own injury , however , the three must find a way to deal with a changing world and with a system that betrayed the men fighting for it.

Originally a 1966 Broadway musical this groundbreaking Bob Fosse musical was in turn based on Christopher Isherwood's Goodbye to Berlin previously dramatized for stage and screen as I Am a Camera with Julie Harris as Sally Bowles. Fosse uses the decadent and vulgar cabaret as a mirror image of German society sliding toward the Nazis and this intertwining of entertainment with social history marked a new step forward for the movie musical. Michael York plays a British writer who comes to Berlin in the early 1930s in hopes of becoming a teacher. He makes the acquaintance of flamboyant American entertainer Sally Bowles played by Liza Minnelli. Sally works at the Kit Kat Klub a George Grosz-like Berlin cabaret where each night the smirking androgynous Master of Ceremonies (Joel Grey) introduces a jazz-driven "girlie show" to his debauched audience. Virtually all the film's musical numbers are staged within the confines of the Kit Kat Klub and each song comments on the plot and on Germany's "progression" from hedonism to Hitlerism. Most of the Broadway score by John Kander and Fred Ebb was retained with the welcome addition of "The Money Song." Although it lost Best Picture to The Godfather Cabaret won eight Oscars including awards to Minnelli Grey and Fosse. A heavily expurgated 88-minute version of Cabaret has been prepared for commercial TV presentations regarded by many as dramatically inferior to the full cut.

Originally a 1966 Broadway musical , this groundbreaking Bob Fosse musical was in turn based on Christopher Isherwood 's Goodbye to Berlin , previously dramatized for stage and screen as I Am a Camera with Julie Harris as Sally Bowles. Fosse uses the decadent and vulgar cabaret as a mirror image of German society sliding toward the Nazis , and this intertwining of entertainment with social history marked a new step forward for the movie musical. Michael York plays a British writer who comes to Berlin in the early 1930s in hopes of becoming a teacher. He makes the acquaintance of flamboyant American entertainer Sally Bowles , played by Liza Minnelli . Sally works at the Kit Kat Klub , a George Grosz - like Berlin cabaret where each night the smirking , androgynous Master of Ceremonies ( Joel Grey ) introduces a jazz - driven "girlie show" to his debauched audience. Virtually all the film's musical numbers are staged within the confines of the Kit Kat Klub , and each song comments on the plot and on Germany's "progression" from hedonism to Hitlerism. Most of the Broadway score by John Kander and Fred Ebb was retained , with the welcome addition of "The Money Song." Although it lost Best Picture to The Godfather , Cabaret won eight Oscars , including awards to Minnelli , Grey , and Fosse. A heavily expurgated 88 - minute version of Cabaret has been prepared for commercial TV presentations , regarded by many as dramatically inferior to the full cut.

Sam Peckinpah examines the instinctual capacity for violence in his controversial 1971 film loosely based on the novel The Siege of Trencher's Farm. To avoid the Vietnam-era social chaos in the U.S. American mathematician David Sumner (Dustin Hoffman) moves with his British wife Amy (Susan George) to the isolated Cornish town where she grew up but their presence provokes antagonism among the village's men. As the hostilities escalate from routine bullying to the gang rape of his wife David finds his pacifistic self backed into a corner. When the hooligans attack his house David finally resorts to the gruesome violence that he abhors.

Sam Peckinpah examines the instinctual capacity for violence in his controversial 1971 film , loosely based on the novel The Siege of Trencher's Farm . To avoid the Vietnam - era social chaos in the U.S. , American mathematician David Sumner ( Dustin Hoffman ) moves with his British wife , Amy ( Susan George ), to the isolated Cornish town where she grew up , but their presence provokes antagonism among the village's men. As the hostilities escalate from routine bullying to the gang rape of his wife , David finds his pacifistic self backed into a corner. When the hooligans attack his house , David finally resorts to the gruesome violence that he abhors.

Richard Roundtree cuts a startlingly new and powerful heroic figure as John Shaft "the cat who won't cop out when there's danger all about" in Gordon Parks' seminal action film Shaft. John Shaft is a black private eye with a small office near Times Square. On his way there one day he gets pumped for information by Lt. Victor Androzzi (Charles Cioffi) a friend of his on the police force about something big going down in Harlem involving black crime kingpin Bumpy Jonas (Moses Gunn). Shaft can't help him and leaves only to just miss being waylaid by two of Bumpy's strong-arm men at his office one of whom ends up dead on the pavement eight floors or so below. Squeezed by the cops who are holding a potential manslaughter arrest over his head Shaft contacts Bumpy who reveals that his teenage daughter whom he's always kept away from his business has been kidnapped. There's been no ransom demand and no clue as to who did it and he wants Shaft to find the culprits insisting that he start with a group of Harlem-based black militants led by Shaft's onetime friend Ben Buford (Christopher St. John). No sooner does he find Buford holed up in a decaying part of Harlem however than his friend's comrades are mowed down by submachine gun fire and Shaft and Buford barely escape. With Shaft angry and out for blood everyone is forced to come clean -- Bumpy knows that it's the Mafia that kidnapped his daughter as they want in on the Harlem drug trade that he controls; they're holding her somewhere else outside of Harlem where his men are no good to him which is why he wanted Shaft to hook up with Buford. Androzzi tells Shaft that a dozen Mob trigger men from out of town have been spotted in Greenwich Village. He doesn't know why they're there but he does know that if fighting breaks out between Bumpy's men and the Mafia it's going to look like a race war and the whole city could erupt. Shaft doesn't like the way he's been manipulated but he sees Androzzi's point -- he links the trigger men to the kidnapping and finds the girl but loses her again getting shot in the process. Even though he's wounded Shaft heads for a final confrontation with the kidnappers supported by Ben's friends in an armed assault on the building where they're holed up.

Richard Roundtree cuts a startlingly new and powerful heroic figure as John Shaft , "the cat who won't cop out , when there's danger all about" in Gordon Parks ' seminal action film , Shaft . John Shaft is a black private eye with a small office near Times Square. On his way there one day , he gets pumped for information by Lt. Victor Androzzi ( Charles Cioffi ), a friend of his on the police force , about something big going down in Harlem involving black crime kingpin Bumpy Jonas ( Moses Gunn ) . Shaft can't help him and leaves , only to just miss being waylaid by two of Bumpy's strong - arm men at his office , one of whom ends up dead on the pavement eight floors or so below. Squeezed by the cops , who are holding a potential manslaughter arrest over his head , Shaft contacts Bumpy , who reveals that his teenage daughter , whom he's always kept away from his business , has been kidnapped. There's been no ransom demand and no clue as to who did it , and he wants Shaft to find the culprits , insisting that he start with a group of Harlem - based black militants led by Shaft's onetime friend Ben Buford ( Christopher St. John ) . No sooner does he find Buford , holed up in a decaying part of Harlem , however , than his friend's comrades are mowed down by submachine gun fire , and Shaft and Buford barely escape. With Shaft angry and out for blood , everyone is forced to come clean -- Bumpy knows that it's the Mafia that kidnapped his daughter , as they want in on the Harlem drug trade that he controls ; they're holding her somewhere else outside of Harlem , where his men are no good to him , which is why he wanted Shaft to hook up with Buford. Androzzi tells Shaft that a dozen Mob trigger men from out of town have been spotted in Greenwich Village. He doesn't know why they're there , but he does know that if fighting breaks out between Bumpy's men and the Mafia , it's going to look like a race war , and the whole city could erupt. Shaft doesn't like the way he's been manipulated , but he sees Androzzi's point -- he links the trigger men to the kidnapping and finds the girl , but loses her again , getting shot in the process. Even though he's wounded , Shaft heads for a final confrontation with the kidnappers , supported by Ben's friends in an armed assault on the building where they're holed up.

Midnight Express is a harrowing tale of a naïve American caught in a nightmare of his own making thousands of miles from his home. Billy Hayes (Brad Davis) is an American tourist visiting Turkey with his girlfriend Susan (Irene Miracle) when he's caught by customs officials trying to smuggle a large amount of hashish out of the country. The crime would normally carry a sentence of four years but officials decide to make an example of Billy and he draws a 30-year sentence despite the promises of his Turkish legal counsel. While Susan and Billy's father (Mike Kellin) pledge to do everything they can to speed Billy's release in fact there's little than can be done. Billy quickly finds himself in a hellish prison that's a nightmare of filth violence rape inedible food and unspeakable health conditions. However Billy gains a few confidantes behind bars: Jimmy (Randy Quaid) an American in a constant state of emotional overdrive; Max (John Hurt) an intelligent drug-addicted Englishman; and Erich (Norbert Weisser) a gay Scandinavian who is attracted to Billy but accepts his gentle refusals of sex. Before long Billy is convinced that he can take no more and he makes plans to take the "midnight express" -- jailhouse slang for escape. While his friends are willing to help they also make clear that almost no one who has tried to escape has lived to tell the tale. Based on a true story Midnight Express was a box-office hit which won wide acclaim for the performances of Brad Davis and John Hurt; and the screenplay by Oliver Stone won an Academy Award.

Midnight Express is a harrowing tale of a naïve American caught in a nightmare of his own making thousands of miles from his home. Billy Hayes ( Brad Davis ) is an American tourist visiting Turkey with his girlfriend Susan ( Irene Miracle ) when he's caught by customs officials trying to smuggle a large amount of hashish out of the country. The crime would normally carry a sentence of four years , but officials decide to make an example of Billy , and he draws a 30 - year sentence despite the promises of his Turkish legal counsel. While Susan and Billy's father ( Mike Kellin ) pledge to do everything they can to speed Billy's release , in fact there's little than can be done. Billy quickly finds himself in a hellish prison that's a nightmare of filth , violence , rape , inedible food , and unspeakable health conditions. However , Billy gains a few confidantes behind bars : Jimmy ( Randy Quaid ), an American in a constant state of emotional overdrive ; Max ( John Hurt ), an intelligent , drug - addicted Englishman ; and Erich ( Norbert Weisser ), a gay Scandinavian who is attracted to Billy but accepts his gentle refusals of sex. Before long , Billy is convinced that he can take no more , and he makes plans to take the "midnight express" -- jailhouse slang for escape. While his friends are willing to help , they also make clear that almost no one who has tried to escape has lived to tell the tale. Based on a true story , Midnight Express was a box - office hit which won wide acclaim for the performances of Brad Davis and John Hurt ; and the screenplay , by Oliver Stone , won an Academy Award.

Robert Benton's Oscar-winning adaptation of Avery Corman's bestseller takes on contemporary problems of divorce and shifting gender roles as a jilted husband learns how to be a nurturing father. Manhattan housewife Joanna Kramer (Meryl Streep) walks out on her workaholic ad man husband Ted (Dustin Hoffman) leaving their young son Billy (Justin Henry) in Ted's less than capable hands. Through trial and error Ted learns how to take care of Billy devoting more energy to his family than to his work and finally losing his high-powered job because of his new priorities. When Joanna returns with her own lucrative job and the intent to take custody of Billy Ted finds employment that won't interfere with his paternal duties. Even though he proves that he can do it all Joanna still wins in court. Joanna however rethinks her desires when she finally grasps how close father and son have become. Addressing the male side of the self-actualization question previously explored from the female perspective in such 1970s movies as An Unmarried Woman (1978) Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974) and The Turning Point (1977) Kramer focuses on Ted's evolution from absent parent to ideal father as he learns to balance domestic and professional lives in the shifting late-1970s social landscape. Joanna's attempt to achieve the same however gets buried; only Streep's sensitive performance prevents Joanna from seeming an unsympathetic harridan. Critics praised the film's realistic depiction of Ted's travails as well as the three lead actors' work; and audiences perhaps facing the same questions of divorce and self-realization turned it into a box-office smash. It went on to win five Oscars including Best Picture Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress.

Robert Benton 's Oscar - winning adaptation of Avery Corman 's bestseller takes on contemporary problems of divorce and shifting gender roles , as a jilted husband learns how to be a nurturing father. Manhattan housewife Joanna Kramer ( Meryl Streep ) walks out on her workaholic ad man husband Ted ( Dustin Hoffman ), leaving their young son Billy ( Justin Henry ) in Ted's less than capable hands. Through trial and error , Ted learns how to take care of Billy , devoting more energy to his family than to his work , and finally losing his high - powered job because of his new priorities. When Joanna returns with her own lucrative job and the intent to take custody of Billy , Ted finds employment that won't interfere with his paternal duties. Even though he proves that he can do it all , Joanna still wins in court. Joanna , however , rethinks her desires when she finally grasps how close father and son have become. Addressing the male side of the self - actualization question , previously explored from the female perspective in such 1970s movies as An Unmarried Woman ( 1978 ), Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore ( 1974 ), and The Turning Point ( 1977 ), Kramer focuses on Ted's evolution from absent parent to ideal father , as he learns to balance domestic and professional lives in the shifting late - 1970s social landscape. Joanna's attempt to achieve the same , however , gets buried ; only Streep 's sensitive performance prevents Joanna from seeming an unsympathetic harridan. Critics praised the film's realistic depiction of Ted's travails , as well as the three lead actors' work ; and audiences , perhaps facing the same questions of divorce and self - realization , turned it into a box - office smash. It went on to win five Oscars , including Best Picture , Best Actor , and Best Supporting Actress.

In director Arthur Hiller's hit tearjerker -- based on Erich Segal's novella -- Ryan O'Neal plays Oliver Barrett IV a comfortably off Harvard pre-law student who falls in love with Radcliffe music student Jenny Cavilleri (Ali MacGraw) a freewheeling delightfully profane product of a blue-collar Italian-American family. Oliver's father (Ray Milland) heartily disapproves of the subsequent marriage and cuts off his son's allowance. Despite financial travails (the pampered Oliver actually has to go to work!) the couple is blissfully happy....until Jenny is diagnosed as having an unnamed disease that consigns her to an early death. The movie's tagline "Love means never having to say you're sorry" became an iconic American catchphrase the film's theme a number one hit. One of the early products of Paramount guru Robert Evans Love Story grossed more money than any Paramount production before it. This enormously successful film inspired a 1978 sequel Oliver's Story.

In director Arthur Hiller 's hit tearjerker -- based on Erich Segal 's novella -- Ryan O'Neal plays Oliver Barrett IV , a comfortably off Harvard pre - law student who falls in love with Radcliffe music student Jenny Cavilleri ( Ali MacGraw ), a freewheeling , delightfully profane product of a blue - collar Italian - American family. Oliver's father ( Ray Milland ) heartily disapproves of the subsequent marriage and cuts off his son's allowance. Despite financial travails ( the pampered Oliver actually has to go to work! ), the couple is blissfully happy....until Jenny is diagnosed as having an unnamed disease that consigns her to an early death. The movie's tagline "Love means never having to say you're sorry" became an iconic American catchphrase , the film's theme a number one hit. One of the early products of Paramount guru Robert Evans , Love Story grossed more money than any Paramount production before it. This enormously successful film inspired a 1978 sequel , Oliver's Story .

Embraced by the Baby Boomer generation and spawning countless imitators the sophomore film of writer-director Lawrence Kasdan was a successful comedy-drama with a best selling soundtrack of Motown hits. Kevin Kline and Glenn Close star as Harold and Sarah Cooper a couple whose marital troubles are put on hold while they host an unhappy reunion of former college pals gathered for the funeral of one of their own a suicide victim named Alex. As the weekend unfolds the friends catch up with each other play the music of their youth reminisce smoke marijuana and pair off with each other in unexpected combinations. Included are Michael (Jeff Goldblum) a smarmy journalist; Sam (Tom Berenger) a TV star; Karen (JoBeth Williams) unhappily married and pining for Sam; Nick (William Hurt) a drug-addicted Vietnam vet; and Meg (Mary Kay Place) a single career woman who wants a child. Joining the group is Alex's bizarre girlfriend Chloe (Meg Tilly) who finds new love with Nick. As they learn to deal with the truth about the loss of idealism in their lives and Alex's sad demise the friends find their bond still intact while the marriage of Harold and Sarah is healed in an unusual way that's in sync with the era of their youth. Cut from the release of The Big Chill (1983) was the brief appearance of young actor Kevin Costner as Alex. Kasdan promised Costner a role in his next picture which turned out to be a star-making part in Silverado (1985).

Embraced by the Baby Boomer generation and spawning countless imitators , the sophomore film of writer - director Lawrence Kasdan was a successful comedy - drama with a best selling soundtrack of Motown hits. Kevin Kline and Glenn Close star as Harold and Sarah Cooper , a couple whose marital troubles are put on hold while they host an unhappy reunion of former college pals gathered for the funeral of one of their own , a suicide victim named Alex. As the weekend unfolds , the friends catch up with each other , play the music of their youth , reminisce , smoke marijuana , and pair off with each other in unexpected combinations. Included are Michael ( Jeff Goldblum ), a smarmy journalist ; Sam ( Tom Berenger ), a TV star ; Karen ( JoBeth Williams ), unhappily married and pining for Sam ; Nick ( William Hurt ), a drug - addicted Vietnam vet ; and Meg ( Mary Kay Place ), a single career woman who wants a child. Joining the group is Alex's bizarre girlfriend Chloe ( Meg Tilly ), who finds new love with Nick. As they learn to deal with the truth about the loss of idealism in their lives and Alex's sad demise , the friends find their bond still intact , while the marriage of Harold and Sarah is healed in an unusual way that's in sync with the era of their youth. Cut from the release of The Big Chill ( 1983 ) was the brief appearance of young actor Kevin Costner as Alex. Kasdan promised Costner a role in his next picture , which turned out to be a star - making part in Silverado ( 1985 ) .

Director George Miller's follow-up to his own 1979 hit Mad Max is proof that not all sequels are inferior to their originals. If anything this brutal sci-fi action film is even more intense and exciting than its predecessor although the state of its post-apocalyptic world has only become worse. Several years after the deaths of his wife and child Max (Mel Gibson) has become an alienated nomad wandering an Australian outback that has fallen into tribal warfare conducted from scattered armed camps. After a road battle with psychotic villain Wez (Vernon Wells) Max meets up with the odd Gyro Captain (Bruce Spence) who takes him to the camp of a sympathetic group led by Pappagallo (Mike Preston). As Pappagallo's people are camped at a refinery Max plans to take their oil -- more precious than gold in this world -- but eventually joins them to fight a band of marauders led by the evil Humungus (Kjell Nilsson). The stunning climax features a heart-pounding chase scene involving an oil tanker-truck and a frenzied rush for the coast with Humungus and his forces in hot pursuit. Nilsson is a scary villain with huge muscles and a sinister pre-Jason hockey mask but the stunt work is the key here and it is more flamboyantly dynamic than ever edited at breakneck pace and staged with manic fury by Miller and stunt coordinator Max Aspin. Savage and kinetic Mad Max 2 is a must-see for action buffs.

Director George Miller 's follow - up to his own 1979 hit Mad Max is proof that not all sequels are inferior to their originals. If anything , this brutal sci - fi action film is even more intense and exciting than its predecessor , although the state of its post - apocalyptic world has only become worse. Several years after the deaths of his wife and child , Max ( Mel Gibson ) has become an alienated nomad , wandering an Australian outback that has fallen into tribal warfare conducted from scattered armed camps. After a road battle with psychotic villain Wez ( Vernon Wells ), Max meets up with the odd Gyro Captain ( Bruce Spence ), who takes him to the camp of a sympathetic group led by Pappagallo ( Mike Preston ) . As Pappagallo's people are camped at a refinery , Max plans to take their oil -- more precious than gold in this world -- but eventually joins them to fight a band of marauders led by the evil Humungus ( Kjell Nilsson ) . The stunning climax features a heart - pounding chase scene involving an oil tanker - truck and a frenzied rush for the coast , with Humungus and his forces in hot pursuit. Nilsson is a scary villain , with huge muscles and a sinister pre - Jason hockey mask , but the stunt work is the key here , and it is more flamboyantly dynamic than ever , edited at breakneck pace and staged with manic fury by Miller and stunt coordinator Max Aspin . Savage and kinetic , Mad Max 2 is a must - see for action buffs.

Terms of Endearment covers three decades in the lives of widow Aurora Greenway (Shirley MacLaine) and her daughter Emma (Debra Winger). Fiercely protected by Aurora throughout childhood Emma runs into resistance from her mother when she marries wishy-washy college teacher Flap (Jeff Daniels). Aurora is even more put out at the prospect of being a grandmother though she grows a lot fonder of her three grandkids than she does of her son-in-law. Flap proves that Aurora's instincts were on target when he enters into an affair with a student (Kate Charleson). Meanwhile Emma finds romantic consolation with an unhappily married banker (played by John Lithgow who registers well in a rare "nice guy" performance). As for Aurora she is ardently pursued by her next-door neighbor boisterous astronaut Garrett Breedlove (Jack Nicholson). After 75 minutes or so of pursuing an episodic semi-comic plotline the film abruptly shifts moods when Emma discovers that she has terminal cancer. Terms of Endearment won Academy Awards for Best Picture Best Director and Best Screenplay for TV veteran James L. Brooks making his first feature film Best Actress for MacLaine and Best Supporting Actor for Nicholson. It was followed by a sequel The Evening Star (1996) which again featured MacLaine as Aurora.

Terms of Endearment covers three decades in the lives of widow Aurora Greenway ( Shirley MacLaine ) and her daughter Emma ( Debra Winger ) . Fiercely protected by Aurora throughout childhood , Emma runs into resistance from her mother when she marries wishy - washy college teacher Flap ( Jeff Daniels ) . Aurora is even more put out at the prospect of being a grandmother , though she grows a lot fonder of her three grandkids than she does of her son - in - law. Flap proves that Aurora's instincts were on target when he enters into an affair with a student ( Kate Charleson ) . Meanwhile , Emma finds romantic consolation with an unhappily married banker ( played by John Lithgow , who registers well in a rare "nice guy" performance ) . As for Aurora , she is ardently pursued by her next - door neighbor , boisterous astronaut Garrett Breedlove ( Jack Nicholson ) . After 75 minutes or so of pursuing an episodic , semi - comic plotline , the film abruptly shifts moods when Emma discovers that she has terminal cancer. Terms of Endearment won Academy Awards for Best Picture , Best Director and Best Screenplay for TV veteran James L. Brooks making his first feature film , Best Actress for MacLaine , and Best Supporting Actor for Nicholson. It was followed by a sequel , The Evening Star ( 1996 ), which again featured MacLaine as Aurora.

Endlessly imitated The Terminator made the reputation of cowriter/director James Cameron -- who would go on to make 1997's titanic Titanic -- and solidified the stardom of Arnold Schwarzenegger. The movie begins in a post-apocalyptic 2029 when Los Angeles has been largely reduced to rubble and is under the thumb of all-powerful ruling machines. Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) a member of the human resistance movement is teleported back to 1984. His purpose: to rescue Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) the mother of the man who will lead the 21st-century rebels against the tyrannical machines from being assassinated before she can give birth. Likewise thrust back to 1984 is The Terminator (Schwarzenegger) a grim well-armed virtually indestructable cyborg who has been programmed to eliminate Sarah Connor. After killing two "Sarah Connors" who turn out to be the wrong women he finally aims his gunsights at the genuine article. This is the film in which Schwarzenegger declared "I'll be baaaack" -- and back he was in "kinder and gentler" form in the even more successful Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991).

Endlessly imitated , The Terminator made the reputation of cowriter / director James Cameron -- who would go on to make 1997's titanic Titanic -- and solidified the stardom of Arnold Schwarzenegger . The movie begins in a post - apocalyptic 2029 , when Los Angeles has been largely reduced to rubble and is under the thumb of all - powerful ruling machines. Kyle Reese ( Michael Biehn ), a member of the human resistance movement , is teleported back to 1984. His purpose : to rescue Sarah Connor ( Linda Hamilton ), the mother of the man who will lead the 21st - century rebels against the tyrannical machines , from being assassinated before she can give birth. Likewise thrust back to 1984 is The Terminator ( Schwarzenegger ), a grim , well - armed , virtually indestructable cyborg who has been programmed to eliminate Sarah Connor. After killing two "Sarah Connors" who turn out to be the wrong women , he finally aims his gunsights at the genuine article. This is the film in which Schwarzenegger declared "I'll be baaaack" -- and back he was , in "kinder and gentler" form , in the even more successful Terminator 2 : Judgment Day ( 1991 ) .

Covering some 15 years The Right Stuff recounts the formation of America's space program concentrating on the original Mercury astronauts. Scott Glenn plays Alan Shepard the first American in space; Fred Ward is Gus Grissom the benighted astronaut for whom nothing works out as planned; and Ed Harris is John Glenn the straight-arrow "boy scout" of the bunch who was the first American to orbit the earth. The remaining four Mercury boys are Deke Slayton (Scott Paulin) Scott Carpenter (Charles Frank) Wally Schirra (Lance Henriksen) and Gordon Cooper (Dennis Quaid). Wolfe's original book related in straightforward fashion the dangers and frustrations facing the astronauts (including Glenn's oft-repeated complaint that it's hard to be confident when you know that the missile you're sitting on has been built by the lowest bidder) the various personal crises involving their families (Glenn's wife Annie a stutterer dreads being interviewed on television while Grissom's wife Betty angered that her husband is not regarded as a hero because his mission was a failure bitterly declares "I want my parade!") and the schism between the squeaky-clean public image of the Mercury pilots and their sometimes raunchy earthbound shenanigans.

Covering some 15 years , The Right Stuff recounts the formation of America's space program , concentrating on the original Mercury astronauts. Scott Glenn plays Alan Shepard , the first American in space ; Fred Ward is Gus Grissom , the benighted astronaut for whom nothing works out as planned ; and Ed Harris is John Glenn , the straight - arrow "boy scout" of the bunch who was the first American to orbit the earth. The remaining four Mercury boys are Deke Slayton ( Scott Paulin ), Scott Carpenter ( Charles Frank ), Wally Schirra ( Lance Henriksen ) and Gordon Cooper ( Dennis Quaid ) . Wolfe 's original book related in straightforward fashion the dangers and frustrations facing the astronauts ( including Glenn 's oft - repeated complaint that it's hard to be confident when you know that the missile you're sitting on has been built by the lowest bidder ), the various personal crises involving their families ( Glenn 's wife Annie , a stutterer , dreads being interviewed on television , while Grissom 's wife Betty , angered that her husband is not regarded as a hero because his mission was a failure , bitterly declares "I want my parade!" ), and the schism between the squeaky - clean public image of the Mercury pilots and their sometimes raunchy earthbound shenanigans.

A Woody Allen Manhattan mosaic Hannah and Her Sisters concerns the lives loves and infidelities among a tightly-knit artistic clan. Hannah (Mia Farrow) regularly meets with her sisters Holly (Dianne Wiest) and Lee (Barbara Hershey) to discuss the week's events. It's what they don't always tell each other that forms the film's various subplots. Hannah is married to accountant and financial planner Elliot (Michael Caine) who carries a torch for Lee who in turn lives with pompous Soho artist Frederick (Max Von Sydow). Meanwhile Holly a neurotic actress and eternal loser in love dates TV producer Mickey (Allen) who used to be married to Hannah and spends most of the film convinced that he's about to die. Appearing in supporting parts are Lloyd Nolan and Maureen O'Sullivan (Farrow's real mom) as the eternally bickering husband-and-wife acting team who are the parents of Hannah and her sisters. The film begins and ends during the family's traditional Thanksgiving dinner filmed in Farrow's actual New York apartment. Unbilled cameos are contributed by Sam Waterston as one of Wiest's brief amours and Tony Roberts as one of Allen's friends. Hannah and Her Sisters collected Oscars for Michael Caine Dianne Wiest and Woody Allen's screenplay.

A Woody Allen Manhattan mosaic , Hannah and Her Sisters concerns the lives , loves , and infidelities among a tightly - knit artistic clan. Hannah ( Mia Farrow ) regularly meets with her sisters Holly ( Dianne Wiest ) and Lee ( Barbara Hershey ) to discuss the week's events. It's what they don't always tell each other that forms the film's various subplots. Hannah is married to accountant and financial planner Elliot ( Michael Caine ), who carries a torch for Lee , who in turn lives with pompous Soho artist Frederick ( Max Von Sydow ) . Meanwhile , Holly , a neurotic actress and eternal loser in love , dates TV producer Mickey ( Allen ), who used to be married to Hannah and spends most of the film convinced that he's about to die. Appearing in supporting parts are Lloyd Nolan and Maureen O'Sullivan ( Farrow 's real mom ), as the eternally bickering husband - and - wife acting team who are the parents of Hannah and her sisters. The film begins and ends during the family's traditional Thanksgiving dinner , filmed in Farrow 's actual New York apartment. Unbilled cameos are contributed by Sam Waterston as one of Wiest 's brief amours and Tony Roberts as one of Allen 's friends. Hannah and Her Sisters collected Oscars for Michael Caine , Dianne Wiest , and Woody Allen 's screenplay.

Writer-director Barry Levinson's autobiographical first feature fondly remembers his Baltimore youth. It's late 1959 and six guys in their early twenties are stumbling into adulthood alternating responsibility with carefree time at their local diner. The story centers on the return from college of Billy (Tim Daly) to serve as best man at the wedding of his pal Eddie (Steve Guttenberg). Billy is consumed by a confusing relationship with a close female friend while Eddie still lives at home preparing a football trivia test for his fiancée and vowing to cancel the wedding if she fails. Other characters woven into the narrative include Boogie (Mickey Rourke) a womanizer with a gambling problem and Shrevie (Daniel Stern) a music addict with a troubled marriage. Diner became known for its bittersweet comic screenplay and its remarkable cast which also included Paul Reiser Kevin Bacon and Ellen Barkin. In order to capture the loose laid-back dialogue of the diner scenes Levinson directed them last so that the actors would be more comfortable with each other. Diner was the first part of Levinson's "Baltimore Trilogy" followed by Tin Men (1987) and Avalon (1990).

Writer - director Barry Levinson 's autobiographical first feature fondly remembers his Baltimore youth. It's late 1959 , and six guys in their early twenties are stumbling into adulthood , alternating responsibility with carefree time at their local diner. The story centers on the return from college of Billy ( Tim Daly ) to serve as best man at the wedding of his pal Eddie ( Steve Guttenberg ) . Billy is consumed by a confusing relationship with a close female friend , while Eddie still lives at home , preparing a football trivia test for his fiancée and vowing to cancel the wedding if she fails. Other characters woven into the narrative include Boogie ( Mickey Rourke ), a womanizer with a gambling problem , and Shrevie ( Daniel Stern ), a music addict with a troubled marriage. Diner became known for its bittersweet comic screenplay and its remarkable cast , which also included Paul Reiser , Kevin Bacon , and Ellen Barkin . In order to capture the loose , laid - back dialogue of the diner scenes , Levinson directed them last , so that the actors would be more comfortable with each other. Diner was the first part of Levinson's "Baltimore Trilogy , " followed by Tin Men ( 1987 ) and Avalon ( 1990 ) .

It's Christmas time in L.A. and there's an employee party in progress on the 30th floor of the Nakatomi Corporation building. The revelry comes to a violent end when the partygoers are taken hostage by a group of terrorists headed by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) who plan to steal the 600 million dollars locked in Nakatomi's high-tech safe. In truth Gruber and his henchmen are only pretending to be politically motivated to throw the authorities off track; also in truth Gruber has no intention of allowing anyone to get out of the building alive. Meanwhile New York cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) has come to L.A. to visit his estranged wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) who happens to be one of the hostages. Disregarding the orders of the authorities surrounding the building McClane who fears nothing (except heights) takes on the villains armed with one handgun and plenty of chutzpah. Until Die Hard came along Bruce Willis was merely that wisecracking guy on Moonlighting. After the film's profits started rolling in Willis found himself one of the highest-paid and most sought-after leading men in Hollywood.

It's Christmas time in L.A. , and there's an employee party in progress on the 30th floor of the Nakatomi Corporation building. The revelry comes to a violent end when the partygoers are taken hostage by a group of terrorists headed by Hans Gruber ( Alan Rickman ), who plan to steal the 600 million dollars locked in Nakatomi's high - tech safe. In truth , Gruber and his henchmen are only pretending to be politically motivated to throw the authorities off track ; also in truth , Gruber has no intention of allowing anyone to get out of the building alive. Meanwhile , New York cop John McClane ( Bruce Willis ) has come to L.A. to visit his estranged wife , Holly ( Bonnie Bedelia ), who happens to be one of the hostages. Disregarding the orders of the authorities surrounding the building , McClane , who fears nothing ( except heights ), takes on the villains , armed with one handgun and plenty of chutzpah. Until Die Hard came along , Bruce Willis was merely that wisecracking guy on Moonlighting . After the film's profits started rolling in , Willis found himself one of the highest - paid and most sought - after leading men in Hollywood.

Writer/director/producer James L. Brooks scores on all counts with this clear-eyed look at the television news business and the dysfunctional types who work in it. Brooks' intelligent script introduces us to Jane Craig (Holly Hunter) an ambitious producer at the network news division's Washington D.C. branch who is calm under fire yet has a good cry at her desk every morning over her empty personal life. Jane works well with Aaron Altman (Albert Brooks) an excellent reporter who lacks the visual charisma to make him a star. Into their lives comes Tom Grunick (William Hurt) a regional newscaster who admits he can't write news and doesn't understand many of the events he's covering but has the presence and physical appeal that the increasingly entertainment-oriented network wants for its news programs. Jane is also physically attracted to him which drives her crazy because Grunick stands for everything she's fighting against in the news business while Altman is devastated by her attraction because he secretly yearns for Jane. As Grunick becomes a rising star at the network and layoffs of the old guard loom the three leads deal with their feelings for each other their careers and their values. Hunter Hurt and Brooks are all superb as is the excellent supporting cast (including an unbilled turn by Jack Nicholson as the network's smarmy national anchor). Brooks' script is funny poignant gritty and brutally honest in its examinations of the television industry and the ways in which professionals interact on and off the job.

Writer / director / producer James L. Brooks scores on all counts with this clear - eyed look at the television news business and the dysfunctional types who work in it. Brooks' intelligent script introduces us to Jane Craig ( Holly Hunter ), an ambitious producer at the network news division's Washington D.C. branch , who is calm under fire yet has a good cry at her desk every morning over her empty personal life. Jane works well with Aaron Altman ( Albert Brooks ), an excellent reporter who lacks the visual charisma to make him a star. Into their lives comes Tom Grunick ( William Hurt ), a regional newscaster who admits he can't write news and doesn't understand many of the events he's covering , but has the presence and physical appeal that the increasingly entertainment - oriented network wants for its news programs. Jane is also physically attracted to him , which drives her crazy , because Grunick stands for everything she's fighting against in the news business , while Altman is devastated by her attraction because he secretly yearns for Jane. As Grunick becomes a rising star at the network , and layoffs of the old guard loom , the three leads deal with their feelings for each other , their careers , and their values. Hunter , Hurt , and Brooks are all superb , as is the excellent supporting cast ( including an unbilled turn by Jack Nicholson as the network's smarmy national anchor ) . Brooks' script is funny , poignant , gritty , and brutally honest in its examinations of the television industry and the ways in which professionals interact on and off the job.

razil constitutes Terry Gilliam's enormously ambitious follow-up to his 1981 Time Bandits. It also represents the second installment in a trilogy of Gilliam films on imagination versus reality that began with Bandits and ended in 1989 with The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. To create this wild visually audacious satire Gilliam combines dystopian elements from Orwell Huxley and Kafka (plus a central character who mirrors Walter Mitty) with his own trademark Monty Python-esque jet black British humor and his gift for extraordinary visual invention. The results are thoroughly unprecedented in the cinema. Jonathan Pryce stars as Sam Lowry a civil servant who chooses to blind himself to the decaying drone-like world around him. It's a world marred by oppressive automatization and towering bureaucracy and populated by tyrannical guards who strongarm lawbreakers. And Lowry is stuck in the middle of this nightmare. Whenever real life becomes too oppressive Sam fantasizes (to the tune of Ary Baroso's 1930s hit "Brazil") about sailing through the clouds as a winged superhero and rescuing beautiful Jill Layton (Kim Greist) from a giant Samurai warrior. The omnipresent computer that controls everything in the "real" world malfunctions causing an innocent citizen to be arrested and tortured to death. When Sam routinely investigates the error he meets - and pursues Jill literally the girl of his dreams. But in real life she's a tough-as-nails truck driver who initially wants nothing to do with him. It turns out that she is suspected of underground activities in connection with a terrorist network wanted for bombing public places. The price Sam pays for his association with her is a close encounter with the man in charge of torturing troublesome citizens (Michael Palin). He is rescued - at the last minute - by maintenance man Harry Tuttle (Robert de Niro) who moonlights as a terrorist but that only represents the beginning of his plight for now the "system" is onto him. Gilliam ran into enormous problems with Brazil. Universal - which produced the picture - originally slated it for release in 1984 but the studio - intimidated by the film's whopping length of 142 minutes - demanded that Gilliam trim the film to bring it in under two hours and alter the pessimistic ending. Gilliam refused; Universal shelved the picture for a year. In response the director took out a full page ad in Variety asking studio president Sid Sheinberg when the film would be released. Sensing tremendous pressure Universal bowed to Gilliam's insistence on fewer cuts but still demanded a happy ending. Gilliam trimmed only eleven minutes and altered the conclusion just slightly (instead of cutting to black it fades into puffy white clouds on a blue sky with a reprise of the title tune). It was thus released in early 1985 at 131 minutes and of course became a seminal work; many critics regarded it at the time as the best film of the eighties.

Brazil constitutes Terry Gilliam 's enormously ambitious follow - up to his 1981 Time Bandits . It also represents the second installment in a trilogy of Gilliam films on imagination versus reality , that began with Bandits and ended in 1989 with The Adventures of Baron Munchausen . To create this wild , visually audacious satire , Gilliam combines dystopian elements from Orwell , Huxley and Kafka ( plus a central character who mirrors Walter Mitty ) with his own trademark , Monty Python - esque , jet black British humor and his gift for extraordinary visual invention. The results are thoroughly unprecedented in the cinema. Jonathan Pryce stars as Sam Lowry , a civil servant who chooses to blind himself to the decaying , drone - like world around him. It's a world marred by oppressive automatization and towering bureaucracy , and populated by tyrannical guards who strongarm lawbreakers. And Lowry is stuck in the middle of this nightmare. Whenever real life becomes too oppressive , Sam fantasizes ( to the tune of Ary Baroso 's 1930s hit "Brazil" ) about sailing through the clouds as a winged superhero , and rescuing beautiful Jill Layton ( Kim Greist ) from a giant , Samurai warrior. The omnipresent computer that controls everything in the "real" world malfunctions , causing an innocent citizen to be arrested and tortured to death. When Sam routinely investigates the error , he meets - and pursues Jill , literally the girl of his dreams. But in real life , she's a tough - as - nails truck driver who initially wants nothing to do with him. It turns out that she is suspected of underground activities , in connection with a terrorist network wanted for bombing public places. The price Sam pays for his association with her is a close encounter with the man in charge of torturing troublesome citizens ( Michael Palin ) . He is rescued - at the last minute - by maintenance man Harry Tuttle ( Robert de Niro ) who moonlights as a terrorist , but that only represents the beginning of his plight , for now the "system" is onto him. Gilliam ran into enormous problems with Brazil . Universal - which produced the picture - originally slated it for release in 1984 , but the studio - intimidated by the film's whopping length of 142 minutes - demanded that Gilliam trim the film to bring it in under two hours and alter the pessimistic ending. Gilliam refused ; Universal shelved the picture for a year. In response , the director took out a full page ad in Variety asking studio president Sid Sheinberg when the film would be released. Sensing tremendous pressure , Universal bowed to Gilliam 's insistence on fewer cuts but still demanded a happy ending. Gilliam trimmed only eleven minutes and altered the conclusion just slightly ( instead of cutting to black , it fades into puffy white clouds on a blue sky , with a reprise of the title tune ) . It was thus released in early 1985 at 131 minutes , and of course became a seminal work ; many critics regarded it at the time as the best film of the eighties.

Director David Lynch crafted this hallucinogenic mystery-thriller that probes beneath the cheerful surface of suburban America to discover sadomasochistic violence corruption drug abuse crime and perversion. Kyle Maclachlan stars as Jeffrey Beaumont a square-jawed young man who returns to his picture-perfect small town when his father suffers a stroke. Walking through a field near his home Jeff discovers a severed human ear which he immediately brings to the police. Their disinterest sparks Jeff's curiosity and he is soon drawn into a dangerous drama that's being played out by a lounge singer Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini) and the ether-addicted Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper). The sociopathic Booth has kidnapped Dorothy's young son and is using the child as a bargaining chip to repeatedly beat humiliate and rape Dorothy. Though he's drawn to the virginal wholesome Sandy Williams (Laura Dern) Jeff is also aroused by Dorothy and in trying to aid her he discovers his dark side. As the film nears its conclusion our hero learns that many more indivduals are tacitly involved with Frank including a suave lip-synching singer Ben (Dean Stockwell) who is minding the kidnapped boy. Director Lynch explored many similar themes of the "disease" lying just under the surface of the small town all-American façade in his later television series Twin Peaks (1990-91).

Director David Lynch crafted this hallucinogenic mystery - thriller that probes beneath the cheerful surface of suburban America to discover sadomasochistic violence , corruption , drug abuse , crime and perversion. Kyle Maclachlan stars as Jeffrey Beaumont , a square - jawed young man who returns to his picture - perfect small town when his father suffers a stroke. Walking through a field near his home , Jeff discovers a severed human ear , which he immediately brings to the police. Their disinterest sparks Jeff's curiosity , and he is soon drawn into a dangerous drama that's being played out by a lounge singer , Dorothy Vallens ( Isabella Rossellini ) and the ether - addicted Frank Booth ( Dennis Hopper ) . The sociopathic Booth has kidnapped Dorothy's young son and is using the child as a bargaining chip to repeatedly beat , humiliate and rape Dorothy. Though he's drawn to the virginal , wholesome Sandy Williams ( Laura Dern ), Jeff is also aroused by Dorothy and in trying to aid her , he discovers his dark side. As the film nears its conclusion , our hero learns that many more indivduals are tacitly involved with Frank , including a suave , lip - synching singer , Ben ( Dean Stockwell ), who is minding the kidnapped boy. Director Lynch explored many similar themes of the "disease" lying just under the surface of the small town , all - American façade in his later television series Twin Peaks ( 1990 - 91 ) .

For this film adaptation of Peter Shaffer's Broadway hit director Milos Forman returned to the city of Prague that he'd left behind during the Czech political crises of 1968 bringing along his usual cinematographer and fellow Czech expatriate Miroslav Ondrícek. Amadeus is an expansion of a Viennese "urban legend" concerning the death of 18th century musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. From the vantage point of an insane asylum aging royal composer Salieri (F. Murray Abraham) recalls the events of three decades earlier when the young Mozart (Tom Hulce) first gained favor in the court of Austrian emperor Joseph II (Jeffrey Jones). Salieri was incensed that God would bless so vulgar and obnoxious a young snipe as Mozart with divine genius. Why was Salieri -- so disciplined so devoted to his art and so willing to toady to his superiors -- not touched by God? Unable to match Mozart's talent Salieri uses his influence in court to sabotage the young upstart's career. Disguising himself as a mysterious benefactor Salieri commissions the backbreaking Requiem which eventually costs Mozart his health wealth and life. Among the film's many pearls of dialogue the best line goes to the emperor who rejects a Mozart composition on the grounds that it has "too many notes." Amadeus won eight Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Director Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor for F. Murray Abraham. In 2002 the film received a theatrical re-release as "Amadeus: The Director's Cut" a version that includes 20 minutes of additional footage.

For this film adaptation of Peter Shaffer 's Broadway hit , director Milos Forman returned to the city of Prague that he'd left behind during the Czech political crises of 1968 , bringing along his usual cinematographer and fellow Czech expatriate , Miroslav Ondrícek . Amadeus is an expansion of a Viennese "urban legend" concerning the death of 18th century musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart . From the vantage point of an insane asylum , aging royal composer Salieri ( F. Murray Abraham ) recalls the events of three decades earlier , when the young Mozart ( Tom Hulce ) first gained favor in the court of Austrian emperor Joseph II ( Jeffrey Jones ) . Salieri was incensed that God would bless so vulgar and obnoxious a young snipe as Mozart with divine genius. Why was Salieri -- so disciplined , so devoted to his art , and so willing to toady to his superiors -- not touched by God? Unable to match Mozart's talent , Salieri uses his influence in court to sabotage the young upstart's career. Disguising himself as a mysterious benefactor , Salieri commissions the backbreaking Requiem , which eventually costs Mozart his health , wealth , and life. Among the film's many pearls of dialogue , the best line goes to the emperor , who rejects a Mozart composition on the grounds that it has "too many notes." Amadeus won eight Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Director , Best Adapted Screenplay , and Best Actor for F. Murray Abraham . In 2002 , the film received a theatrical re - release as "Amadeus : The Director's Cut , " a version that includes 20 minutes of additional footage.

In Peter Weir's thriller Witness Samuel (Lukas Haas) a young Amish boy witnesses a murder in the restroom of a Philadelphia bus station. Harrison Ford stars as John Book the police detective investigating the murder. When Book discovers that the crime was part of a conspiracy involving several officials in his department he flees Philadelphia to the Amish community where Samuel lives with his widowed mother Rachel (Kelly McGillis). Slowly assimilating himself into the Amish community Book eventually finds himself falling in love with Rachel in the midst of his investigation. Eventually the corrupt police track Book down and he is forced to confront them while also trying to protect Rachel and Samuel.

In Peter Weir 's thriller Witness , Samuel ( Lukas Haas ), a young Amish boy , witnesses a murder in the restroom of a Philadelphia bus station. Harrison Ford stars as John Book , the police detective investigating the murder. When Book discovers that the crime was part of a conspiracy involving several officials in his department , he flees Philadelphia to the Amish community where Samuel lives with his widowed mother , Rachel ( Kelly McGillis ) . Slowly assimilating himself into the Amish community , Book eventually finds himself falling in love with Rachel in the midst of his investigation. Eventually , the corrupt police track Book down , and he is forced to confront them , while also trying to protect Rachel and Samuel.

Ione Skye plays Diane Court high-school valedictorian on the verge of heading to England on a prestigious scholarship. This is especially thrilling to Diane's divorced father James (John Mahoney) who has always shared a special relationship with the girl less father/daughter than friend/friend. When Diane begins dating irresponsible army brat Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) her father despairs at her choice of an "underachiever." Pressured by her dad to break off the relationship Diane spends the rest of the summer being pursued by the lovestruck Lloyd who does everything he can to win her back. Diane finally realizes there's more to life than perfection when her sainted father comes under the scrutiny of the IRS.

Ione Skye plays Diane Court , high - school valedictorian on the verge of heading to England on a prestigious scholarship. This is especially thrilling to Diane's divorced father , James ( John Mahoney ), who has always shared a special relationship with the girl , less father / daughter than friend / friend. When Diane begins dating irresponsible army brat Lloyd Dobler ( John Cusack ), her father despairs at her choice of an "underachiever." Pressured by her dad to break off the relationship , Diane spends the rest of the summer being pursued by the lovestruck Lloyd , who does everything he can to win her back. Diane finally realizes there's more to life than perfection when her sainted father comes under the scrutiny of the IRS.

A deliciously nasty black comedy Heathers is set at a cliquish high school in Ohio. The most exclusive of those cliques is the Heathers comprised of the prettiest and most popular girls in town. The group's leader is the manipulative Kim Walker who orchestrates the humiliation of anyone who fails to meet her standards. Eventually Heathers member Winona Ryder begins to exhibit a conscience; together with her hardcase boyfriend Christian Slater Ryder plots to avenge all the unfortunate victims of the group. Before long Heather (Kim Walker) ends up dead along with Kurt and Ram with poignant suicide notes posted near their bodies.

A deliciously nasty black comedy , Heathers is set at a cliquish high school in Ohio. The most exclusive of those cliques is the Heathers , comprised of the prettiest and most popular girls in town. The group's leader is the manipulative Kim Walker , who orchestrates the humiliation of anyone who fails to meet her standards. Eventually , Heathers member Winona Ryder begins to exhibit a conscience ; together with her hardcase boyfriend Christian Slater , Ryder plots to avenge all the unfortunate victims of the group. Before long , Heather ( Kim Walker ) ends up dead along with Kurt and Ram , with poignant suicide notes posted near their bodies.

Forever interested in the kitsch built into past eras director John Waters chooses the TV dance show craze of the early '60s for his playful focus in Hairspray. Ricki Lake plays Tracy Turnblad just one of several alliteratively named characters coming of age in 1962 Baltimore where "The Corny Collins Show" is the most popular American Bandstand-type program watched by hundreds of young dreamers each day after school. Being chosen to dance on it is the ultimate status symbol and every young girl's dream and Tracy improbably wins a featured spot when she infiltrates a dance contest and makes a better impression than her favored rival the catty Amber von Tussle (Colleen Fitzpatrick). Always able to have fun even when she's being mocked by the jealous popular girls Tracy wins the affections of Amber's boyfriend and soon begins leading a movement to integrate the dance show which has previously featured blacks only in a once-weekly theme night. She is arrested following a demonstration at a local theme park owned by Amber's father (Sonny Bono) who subscribes to the same theory of race relations as "The Corny Collins Show." Tracy's adventures are also filtered through her loving but eccentric parents (Divine and Jerry Stiller) and involve a humorous cultural clash with pot-smoking beatniks (Ric Ocasek and Pia Zadora).

Forever interested in the kitsch built into past eras , director John Waters chooses the TV dance show craze of the early '60s for his playful focus in Hairspray . Ricki Lake plays Tracy Turnblad , just one of several alliteratively named characters coming of age in 1962 Baltimore , where "The Corny Collins Show" is the most popular American Bandstand - type program , watched by hundreds of young dreamers each day after school. Being chosen to dance on it is the ultimate status symbol and every young girl's dream , and Tracy improbably wins a featured spot when she infiltrates a dance contest and makes a better impression than her favored rival , the catty Amber von Tussle ( Colleen Fitzpatrick ) . Always able to have fun , even when she's being mocked by the jealous popular girls , Tracy wins the affections of Amber's boyfriend and soon begins leading a movement to integrate the dance show , which has previously featured blacks only in a once - weekly theme night. She is arrested following a demonstration at a local theme park owned by Amber's father ( Sonny Bono ), who subscribes to the same theory of race relations as "The Corny Collins Show." Tracy's adventures are also filtered through her loving but eccentric parents ( Divine and Jerry Stiller ) and involve a humorous cultural clash with pot - smoking beatniks ( Ric Ocasek and Pia Zadora ) .

Contemporary high schooler Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) doesn't have the most pleasant of lives. Browbeaten by his principal at school Marty must also endure the acrimonious relationship between his nerdy father (Crispin Glover) and his lovely mother (Lea Thompson) who in turn suffer the bullying of middle-aged jerk Biff (Thomas F. Wilson) Marty's dad's supervisor. The one balm in Marty's life is his friendship with eccentric scientist Doc (Christopher Lloyd) who at present is working on a time machine. Accidentally zapped back into the 1950s Marty inadvertently interferes with the budding romance of his now-teenaged parents. Our hero must now reunite his parents-to-be lest he cease to exist in the 1980s. It won't be easy especially with the loutish Biff now also a teenager complicating matters. Beyond its dazzling special effects the best element of Back to the Future is the performance of Michael J. Fox who finds himself in the quagmire of surviving the white-bread 1950s with a hip 1980s mindset. Back to the Future cemented the box-office bankability of both Fox and the film's director Robert Zemeckis who went on to helm two equally exhilarating sequels.

Contemporary high schooler Marty McFly ( Michael J. Fox ) doesn't have the most pleasant of lives. Browbeaten by his principal at school , Marty must also endure the acrimonious relationship between his nerdy father ( Crispin Glover ) and his lovely mother ( Lea Thompson ), who in turn suffer the bullying of middle - aged jerk Biff ( Thomas F. Wilson ), Marty's dad's supervisor. The one balm in Marty's life is his friendship with eccentric scientist Doc ( Christopher Lloyd ), who at present is working on a time machine. Accidentally zapped back into the 1950s , Marty inadvertently interferes with the budding romance of his now - teenaged parents. Our hero must now reunite his parents - to - be , lest he cease to exist in the 1980s. It won't be easy , especially with the loutish Biff , now also a teenager , complicating matters. Beyond its dazzling special effects , the best element of Back to the Future is the performance of Michael J. Fox , who finds himself in the quagmire of surviving the white - bread 1950s with a hip 1980s mindset. Back to the Future cemented the box - office bankability of both Fox and the film's director , Robert Zemeckis , who went on to helm two equally exhilarating sequels.

College friends reunite for a New England summer weekend in this low-budget first feature by accomplished independent filmmaker John Sayles. A predecessor of the well-paced character-driven films in Sayles' future Secaucus Seven also looks ahead to the 1980s ensemble movies that it inspired most notably Lawrence Kasdan's The Big Chill which arrived in theaters three years later. As each friend arrives at the house (or travels to the house) characterizations build dialogue expands and the house (and film) are full of people getting reacquainted and re-examining themselves and each other. Sayles builds the plot by testing the characters' connections: Will these former radicals accept the uptight boyfriend of the well-loved politico? What happens when a couple splits up? How does the educated set treat the local blue-collars? Many critics cited Secaucus Seven in their decade-end list of the best films of the 1980s.

College friends reunite for a New England summer weekend in this low - budget first feature by accomplished independent filmmaker John Sayles . A predecessor of the well - paced , character - driven films in Sayles ' future , Secaucus Seven also looks ahead to the 1980s ensemble movies that it inspired , most notably Lawrence Kasdan 's The Big Chill , which arrived in theaters three years later. As each friend arrives at the house ( or travels to the house ), characterizations build , dialogue expands , and the house ( and film ) are full of people getting reacquainted and re - examining themselves and each other. Sayles builds the plot by testing the characters' connections : Will these former radicals accept the uptight boyfriend of the well - loved politico? What happens when a couple splits up? How does the educated set treat the local blue - collars? Many critics cited Secaucus Seven in their decade - end list of the best films of the 1980s.

A satiric romantic comedy Martha Coolidge's Valley Girl is a testimony to the short-lived Southern California '80s craze. Julie (Deborah Foreman) is a good-natured teenager following a swarm of pastel pink valley girls who utter "gag me" at every opportunity. To her friends' dismay Julie breaks up with her egotistical boyfriend Tommy (Michael Bowen) while shopping at the mall. All the valley kids go to a party that night and Tommy immediately tries to bed one of Julie's friends. Randy (Nicolas Cage) a bad boy from Hollywood shows up and crashes the party. Open-minded Julie flirts with him before he is literally thrown out presumably just for looking different. Smitten with Julie Randy sneaks back into the party to talk to her again. Julie drags a whimpering valley friend with her to spend the night cruising with Randy in Hollywood. After an extended courtship Randy is in love with Julie and she must choose between him and Tommy who wants her back. Her friends refuse to accept Randy who makes many exaggerated attempts to win back her love. Finally after she has a heartfelt talk with her dad (Frederic Forrest) love triumphs at the prom.

A satiric romantic comedy , Martha Coolidge 's Valley Girl is a testimony to the short - lived Southern California '80s craze. Julie ( Deborah Foreman ) is a good - natured teenager following a swarm of pastel pink valley girls , who utter "gag me" at every opportunity. To her friends' dismay , Julie breaks up with her egotistical boyfriend , Tommy ( Michael Bowen ), while shopping at the mall. All the valley kids go to a party that night , and Tommy immediately tries to bed one of Julie's friends. Randy ( Nicolas Cage ), a bad boy from Hollywood , shows up and crashes the party. Open - minded Julie flirts with him before he is literally thrown out , presumably just for looking different. Smitten with Julie , Randy sneaks back into the party to talk to her again. Julie drags a whimpering valley friend with her to spend the night cruising with Randy in Hollywood. After an extended courtship , Randy is in love with Julie , and she must choose between him and Tommy , who wants her back. Her friends refuse to accept Randy , who makes many exaggerated attempts to win back her love. Finally , after she has a heartfelt talk with her dad ( Frederic Forrest ), love triumphs at the prom.

"I'm in love with a mermaid!" read the opening line of Leonard Maltin's original review for Splash. And with the delightful Darryl Hannah in the lead who could fault Maltin for his public declaration of ardor? The story begins in 1959 when a young boy is rescued from a watery grave by an adolescent mermaid. Twenty-five years later the boy has grown up--and lo and behold it's Tom Hanks. Meanwhile the mermaid likewise grown up has surfaced in search of Hanks her long-lost love. On dry land the mermaid is able to walk about on legs; any contact with salt water and she reverts to her half-fish form. Adopting the name of Madison from a New York street sign the girl manages to win Hanks' heart. Alas a secret government lab populated by such smarmy types as Richard B. Shull and Eugene Levy captures Madison for research purposes--and possible vivisection. Egged on by his brother John Candy Hanks rescues his beloved joining her in the ocean depths as a mer-man (mer-fellow? mer-guy?) A captivating confection from the peerless creative team of director Ron Howard and screenwriters Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel Splash was a winner all the way--especially at the box office where the $11 million film racked up a huge profit. Historical sidebar: Splash was the first release from Disney's Touchstone Pictures division.

"I'm in love with a mermaid!" read the opening line of Leonard Maltin 's original review for Splash . And with the delightful Darryl Hannah in the lead , who could fault Maltin for his public declaration of ardor? The story begins in 1959 , when a young boy is rescued from a watery grave by an adolescent mermaid. Twenty - five years later , the boy has grown up -- and lo and behold , it's Tom Hanks . Meanwhile , the mermaid , likewise grown up , has surfaced in search of Hanks , her long - lost love. On dry land , the mermaid is able to walk about on legs ; any contact with salt water , and she reverts to her half - fish form. Adopting the name of Madison from a New York street sign , the girl manages to win Hanks ' heart. Alas , a secret government lab , populated by such smarmy types as Richard B. Shull and Eugene Levy , captures Madison for research purposes -- and possible vivisection. Egged on by his brother John Candy , Hanks rescues his beloved , joining her in the ocean depths as a mer - man ( mer - fellow? mer - guy? ) A captivating confection from the peerless creative team of director Ron Howard and screenwriters Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel , Splash was a winner all the way -- especially at the box office , where the $11 million film racked up a huge profit. Historical sidebar : Splash was the first release from Disney's Touchstone Pictures division.

Paul Verhoeven's American breakthrough film Robocop is an exceedingly violent blend of black comedy science fiction and crime thriller. Set in Detroit sometime in the near future the film is about a policeman (Peter Weller) killed in the line of duty whom the department decides to resurrect as a half-human half-robot supercop. The RoboCop is indestructible and within a matter of weeks he has removed crime from the streets of Detroit. However his human side is tortured by his past and he wants revenge on the thugs who killed him. The film was later followed by two feature-length sequels and a live-action television series neither of which were as successful as the original film.

Paul Verhoeven 's American breakthrough film , Robocop , is an exceedingly violent blend of black comedy , science fiction , and crime thriller. Set in Detroit sometime in the near future , the film is about a policeman ( Peter Weller ) killed in the line of duty whom the department decides to resurrect as a half - human , half - robot supercop. The RoboCop is indestructible , and within a matter of weeks he has removed crime from the streets of Detroit. However , his human side is tortured by his past , and he wants revenge on the thugs who killed him. The film was later followed by two feature - length sequels and a live - action television series , neither of which were as successful as the original film.

Alex Cox's directorial debut was a wickedly funny and willfully bizarre story that became a major cult item once it began making the art-house rounds a year after its release (an initial run in a string of Southern grind houses and drive-ins where it was billed as an action film was a resounding failure). Having lost his job and his girlfriend punk rocker Otto (Emilio Estevez) meets a guy named Bud (Harry Dean Stanton) who offers him $25 to drive his wife's car out of a "bad area." When a handful of angry people start chasing Otto he realizes that something is up and he discovers that Bud repossesses cars for a living. With few immediate prospects Otto joins Bud at the repo yard and is soon "ripping" cars with the best of them. When an anonymous source posts a $20000 reward for a missing 1964 Chevy Malibu it turns out that what's valuable isn't the car itself but what's in the trunk which is very hot glows brightly and kills anyone who comes in contact with it. A vaguely surreal modern-noir science-fiction comedy with echoes of Kiss Me Deadly (1955) Repo Man is packed with more incongruous sight gags than anyone can absorb in one viewing; keep your eyes peeled for the air fresheners the generic newspaper box and the watches without hands. Harry Dean Stanton gives a superb comic performance as the intense but laid-back Bud Emilio Estevez delivers perhaps the best work of his career as the petulant but goofy Otto and Tracey Walter is hilarious as the spaced out repo-yard man Miller. Iggy Pop wrote and performed the theme song and The Circle Jerks appear as a lounge band.

Alex Cox 's directorial debut was a wickedly funny and willfully bizarre story that became a major cult item once it began making the art - house rounds a year after its release ( an initial run in a string of Southern grind houses and drive - ins , where it was billed as an action film , was a resounding failure ) . Having lost his job and his girlfriend , punk rocker Otto ( Emilio Estevez ) meets a guy named Bud ( Harry Dean Stanton ) who offers him $25 to drive his wife's car out of a "bad area." When a handful of angry people start chasing Otto , he realizes that something is up , and he discovers that Bud repossesses cars for a living. With few immediate prospects , Otto joins Bud at the repo yard and is soon "ripping" cars with the best of them. When an anonymous source posts a $20 , 000 reward for a missing 1964 Chevy Malibu , it turns out that what's valuable isn't the car itself , but what's in the trunk , which is very hot , glows brightly , and kills anyone who comes in contact with it. A vaguely surreal modern - noir science - fiction comedy with echoes of Kiss Me Deadly ( 1955 ), Repo Man is packed with more incongruous sight gags than anyone can absorb in one viewing ; keep your eyes peeled for the air fresheners , the generic newspaper box , and the watches without hands. Harry Dean Stanton gives a superb comic performance as the intense but laid - back Bud , Emilio Estevez delivers perhaps the best work of his career as the petulant but goofy Otto , and Tracey Walter is hilarious as the spaced out repo - yard man Miller. Iggy Pop wrote and performed the theme song and The Circle Jerks appear as a lounge band.

Richard Gere plays Zack Mayo an aloof taciturn man who aspires to be a navy pilot. Once he's arrived at training camp for his 13-week officer's course Mayo runs afoul of abrasive no-nonsense drill sergeant Emil Foley (Louis Gossett Jr.). Mayo --or "Mayonnaise" as he is dubbed by the irascible Foley -- is an excellent cadet but a little cold around the heart. Foley rides Mayo mercilessly sensing that the young man would be prime officer material if he weren't so self-involved. Zack's affair with working girl Paula Pokrifi (Debra Winger) is likewise compromised by his unwillingness to give of himself. Only after Mayo's best friend Sid Worsley (David Keith) commits suicide over an unhappy romance does Zack come out of his shell and mature into a real human being. Take away the R-rated dialogue and the sex scenes and Officer and a Gentleman could have been a 1937 MGM flick maybe with Robert Taylor as Zack Wallace Beery as Foley and Jimmy Stewart as Sid. An Officer and a Gentleman was nominated for 7 Oscars with wins to Gossett and to the hit song "Up Where We Belong." The closing scene has surely become a classic of movie romance.

Richard Gere plays Zack Mayo , an aloof , taciturn man who aspires to be a navy pilot. Once he's arrived at training camp for his 13 - week officer's course , Mayo runs afoul of abrasive , no - nonsense drill sergeant Emil Foley ( Louis Gossett Jr. ) . Mayo -- or "Mayonnaise , " as he is dubbed by the irascible Foley -- is an excellent cadet , but a little cold around the heart. Foley rides Mayo mercilessly , sensing that the young man would be prime officer material if he weren't so self - involved. Zack's affair with working girl Paula Pokrifi ( Debra Winger ) is likewise compromised by his unwillingness to give of himself. Only after Mayo's best friend Sid Worsley ( David Keith ) commits suicide over an unhappy romance does Zack come out of his shell and mature into a real human being. Take away the R - rated dialogue and the sex scenes , and Officer and a Gentleman could have been a 1937 MGM flick , maybe with Robert Taylor as Zack , Wallace Beery as Foley , and Jimmy Stewart as Sid. An Officer and a Gentleman was nominated for 7 Oscars , with wins to Gossett and to the hit song "Up Where We Belong." The closing scene has surely become a classic of movie romance.

Red Dragon the Thomas Harris novel that introduced serial killer Hannibal Lecter to the world was adapted for the screen by Michael Mann as Manhunter. Ace criminal profiler Will Graham (William Petersen) is very good at his job because he has the ability to make himself think like the killers he tracks. Will has been in retirement since catching Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter (Brian Cox) as being inside that particular deranged mind caused Will to have a breakdown. Will's boss Jack Crawford (Dennis Farina visits Will at his home showing him pictures from a murder scene and asking for his help in catching a new killer they have dubbed "the Tooth Fairy" (Tom Noonan). In order to test his mental strength Will visits Hannibal in his prison cell. Adding to the already substantial mental stress Will experiences when he returns to the job are nosy tabloid reporter Freddy Lounds (Stephen Lang) as well as Hannibal's attempts at seeking revenge through the Tooth Fairy. After two additional films that featured Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter (Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal) became box-office blockbusters Manhunter was re-made as Red Dragon starring Hopkins and Edward Norton as Will Graham.

Red Dragon , the Thomas Harris novel that introduced serial killer Hannibal Lecter to the world , was adapted for the screen by Michael Mann as Manhunter . Ace criminal profiler Will Graham ( William Petersen ) is very good at his job because he has the ability to make himself think like the killers he tracks. Will has been in retirement since catching Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter ( Brian Cox ), as being inside that particular deranged mind caused Will to have a breakdown. Will's boss Jack Crawford ( Dennis Farina visits Will at his home , showing him pictures from a murder scene and asking for his help in catching a new killer they have dubbed "the Tooth Fairy" ( Tom Noonan ) . In order to test his mental strength , Will visits Hannibal in his prison cell. Adding to the already substantial mental stress Will experiences when he returns to the job are nosy tabloid reporter Freddy Lounds ( Stephen Lang ), as well as Hannibal's attempts at seeking revenge through the Tooth Fairy. After two additional films that featured Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter ( Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal ) became box - office blockbusters , Manhunter was re - made as Red Dragon starring Hopkins and Edward Norton as Will Graham.

L.A. cop Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) whose wife has recently died is a loose cannon with a seeming death wish. This makes him indispensable in collaring dangerous criminals but a liability to any potential partners. Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) a conservative family man who wants to stay alive for his upcoming 50th birthday is partnered with Riggs. As Riggs gets to know Murtaugh and his family he begins to mellow though his insistence on using guerilla tactics to catch criminals is still (put mildly) above and beyond the call of duty. The main villain is The General (Mitchell Ryan) a drug dealer responsible for the death of the daughter of one of Murtaugh's oldest friends. The General is also in charge of a deadly militia-like gang of smugglers. Adding fuel to the fire is The General's chief henchman played with all stops out by Gary Busey. Moviegoers familiar only with the relatively tongue-in-cheek Lethal Weapon sequels may be amazed to find out how dangerous and unpredictable Riggs is in the first Lethal Weapon -- and how likely it seems that Murtaugh might not survive until fade-out time.

L.A. cop Martin Riggs ( Mel Gibson ), whose wife has recently died , is a loose cannon with a seeming death wish. This makes him indispensable in collaring dangerous criminals , but a liability to any potential partners. Roger Murtaugh ( Danny Glover ), a conservative family man who wants to stay alive for his upcoming 50th birthday , is partnered with Riggs. As Riggs gets to know Murtaugh and his family , he begins to mellow , though his insistence on using guerilla tactics to catch criminals is still ( put mildly ) above and beyond the call of duty. The main villain is The General ( Mitchell Ryan ), a drug dealer responsible for the death of the daughter of one of Murtaugh's oldest friends. The General is also in charge of a deadly , militia - like gang of smugglers. Adding fuel to the fire is The General's chief henchman , played with all stops out by Gary Busey . Moviegoers familiar only with the relatively tongue - in - cheek Lethal Weapon sequels may be amazed to find out how dangerous and unpredictable Riggs is in the first Lethal Weapon -- and how likely it seems that Murtaugh might not survive until fade - out time.

Teenaged Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) is a legend in his own time thanks to his uncanny skill at cutting classes and getting away with it. Intending to make one last grand duck-out before graduation Ferris calls in sick "borrows" a Ferrari and embarks on a one-day bacchanal through the streets of Chicago. Dogging Ferris' trail at every turn is high-school principal Rooney (Jeffrey Jones) determined to catch Bueller in the act of class-cutting. Writer/director John Hughes once again tries to wed satire slapstick and social commentary as Ferris Bueller's Day Off starts like a house afire and goes on to make "serious" points about status-seeking and casual parental cruelties. It brightens up considerably in the last few moments when Ferris' tattletale sister (Jennifer Grey) decides to align herself with her merry prankster sibling. A huge moneymaker Ferris Bueller's Day Off eventually spawned a TV sitcom.

Teenaged Ferris Bueller ( Matthew Broderick ) is a legend in his own time thanks to his uncanny skill at cutting classes and getting away with it. Intending to make one last grand duck - out before graduation , Ferris calls in sick , "borrows" a Ferrari , and embarks on a one - day bacchanal through the streets of Chicago. Dogging Ferris' trail at every turn is high - school principal Rooney ( Jeffrey Jones ), determined to catch Bueller in the act of class - cutting. Writer / director John Hughes once again tries to wed satire , slapstick , and social commentary , as Ferris Bueller's Day Off starts like a house afire and goes on to make "serious" points about status - seeking and casual parental cruelties. It brightens up considerably in the last few moments , when Ferris' tattletale sister ( Jennifer Grey ) decides to align herself with her merry prankster sibling. A huge moneymaker , Ferris Bueller's Day Off eventually spawned a TV sitcom.

Fame is set at New York's High School of Performing Arts where talented teens train for show-business careers. The film concentrates on five of the most gifted students: singer Irene Cara actors Paul McCrane and Barry Miller dancer Gene Anthony Ray and musician Lee Currieri. More so than the subsequent TV series Fame the film emphasizes the importance of keeping up one's academic achievements in this specialized school. The faculty includes no-nonsense English teacher Ann Meara erudite musical instructor Albert Hague and martinet dance teacher Debbie Allen. Of the film's cast Ray Currieri Allen and Hague were carried over to the TV version of Fame which premiered in 1981. The score for the film version of Fame was honored with an Academy Award.

Fame is set at New York's High School of Performing Arts , where talented teens train for show - business careers. The film concentrates on five of the most gifted students : singer Irene Cara , actors Paul McCrane and Barry Miller , dancer Gene Anthony Ray , and musician Lee Currieri . More so than the subsequent TV series Fame , the film emphasizes the importance of keeping up one's academic achievements in this specialized school. The faculty includes no - nonsense English teacher Ann Meara , erudite musical instructor Albert Hague , and martinet dance teacher Debbie Allen . Of the film's cast , Ray , Currieri , Allen and Hague were carried over to the TV version of Fame , which premiered in 1981. The score for the film version of Fame was honored with an Academy Award.

A teenage girl learns about love adult responsibility and how to do The Dirty Boogie in this romantic drama. In 1963 "Baby" Houseman (Jennifer Grey) is a 17-year-old spending the summer with her family at a resort hotel in the Catskills; she plans on being in the Peace Corps next summer so this is expected to be her last summer as a carefree adolescent. Baby doesn't get along with her older sister Lisa (Jane Brucker) and she's bored to tears by most of the older guests at the resort. However one night Baby hears what sounds like a party going on in the employee's dormitory and she pokes her head in to discover most of the hotel staff enjoying the sort of close dancing that would get you kicked out of the senior prom in no time flat. Baby is particularly struck by handsome Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze) a dancer in the resort's floor show and falls head over heels in love wanting to be near him. When Johnny's dance partner Penny (Cynthia Rhodes) finds herself pregnant after a fling with one of the waiters Baby volunteers to learn her steps and take her place; however Baby's father Dr. Jake Houseman (Jerry Orbach) will have none of it convinced that Johnny is a low life and that his daughter is too young to understand her own feelings. Dirty Dancing was a surprise box-office hit and the soundtrack album was an even bigger success spawning several hit singles and inspiring a top-drawing concert tour featuring several of its artists.

A teenage girl learns about love , adult responsibility , and how to do The Dirty Boogie in this romantic drama. In 1963 , "Baby" Houseman ( Jennifer Grey ) is a 17 - year - old spending the summer with her family at a resort hotel in the Catskills ; she plans on being in the Peace Corps next summer , so this is expected to be her last summer as a carefree adolescent. Baby doesn't get along with her older sister , Lisa ( Jane Brucker ), and she's bored to tears by most of the older guests at the resort. However , one night Baby hears what sounds like a party going on in the employee's dormitory , and she pokes her head in to discover most of the hotel staff enjoying the sort of close dancing that would get you kicked out of the senior prom in no time flat. Baby is particularly struck by handsome Johnny Castle ( Patrick Swayze ), a dancer in the resort's floor show , and falls head over heels in love , wanting to be near him. When Johnny's dance partner , Penny ( Cynthia Rhodes ), finds herself pregnant after a fling with one of the waiters , Baby volunteers to learn her steps and take her place ; however , Baby's father , Dr. Jake Houseman ( Jerry Orbach ), will have none of it , convinced that Johnny is a low life and that his daughter is too young to understand her own feelings. Dirty Dancing was a surprise box - office hit , and the soundtrack album was an even bigger success , spawning several hit singles and inspiring a top - drawing concert tour featuring several of its artists.

John Hughes wrote and directed this quintessential 1980s high school drama featuring the hottest young stars of the decade. Trapped in a day-long Saturday detention in a prison-like school library are Claire the princess (Molly Ringwald); Andrew the jock (Emilio Estevez); John the criminal (Judd Nelson); Brian the brain (Anthony Michael Hall); and Allison the basket case (Ally Sheedy). These five strangers begin the day with nothing in common each bound to his/her place in the high school caste system. Yet the students bond together when faced with the villainous principal (Paul Gleason) and they realize that they have more in common than they may think including a contempt for adult society. "When you grow up your heart dies" Allison proclaims in one of the film's many scenes of soul-searching and judging from the adults depicted in the film the teen audience may very well agree. Released in a decade overflowing with derivative teen films The Breakfast Club has developed an almost cult-like status.

John Hughes wrote and directed this quintessential 1980s high school drama featuring the hottest young stars of the decade. Trapped in a day - long Saturday detention in a prison - like school library are Claire , the princess ( Molly Ringwald ); Andrew , the jock ( Emilio Estevez ); John , the criminal ( Judd Nelson ); Brian , the brain ( Anthony Michael Hall ); and Allison , the basket case ( Ally Sheedy ) . These five strangers begin the day with nothing in common , each bound to his / her place in the high school caste system. Yet the students bond together when faced with the villainous principal ( Paul Gleason ), and they realize that they have more in common than they may think , including a contempt for adult society. "When you grow up , your heart dies , " Allison proclaims in one of the film's many scenes of soul - searching , and , judging from the adults depicted in the film , the teen audience may very well agree. Released in a decade overflowing with derivative teen films , The Breakfast Club has developed an almost cult - like status.

A variation on the "buddy-cop" hybridized genre 48 HRS. greatly bolstered the career of Nick Nolte and made comedian Eddie Murphy a bonafide box-office sensation. When a pair of reckless cop-killers break out of prison grizzled detective Jack Cates (Nolte) is left no alternative but to spring fast-talking hustler Reggie Hammond (Murphy) from the penitentiary in order to find the criminals. The catch: the pair only have 48 hours to complete their assignment before Hammond must return to prison. Naturally the two despise each other and even engage in fisticuffs but eventually the danger facing them proves a strong enough common bond for them to play on the same team and even achieve a little mutual admiration.

A variation on the "buddy - cop" hybridized genre , 48 HRS. greatly bolstered the career of Nick Nolte and made comedian Eddie Murphy a bonafide box - office sensation. When a pair of reckless cop - killers break out of prison , grizzled detective Jack Cates ( Nolte ) is left no alternative but to spring fast - talking hustler Reggie Hammond ( Murphy ) from the penitentiary in order to find the criminals. The catch : the pair only have 48 hours to complete their assignment before Hammond must return to prison. Naturally , the two despise each other and even engage in fisticuffs , but eventually the danger facing them proves a strong enough common bond for them to play on the same team , and even achieve a little mutual admiration.

"Greed is Good." This is the credo of the aptly named Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) the antihero of Oliver Stone's Wall Street. Gekko a high-rolling corporate raider is idolized by young-and-hungry broker Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen). Inveigling himself into Gekko's inner circle Fox quickly learns to rape murder and bury his sense of ethics. Only when Gekko's wheeling and dealing causes a near-tragedy on a personal level does Fox "reform"-though his means of destroying Gekko are every bit as underhanded as his previous activities on the trading floor. Director Stone who cowrote Wall Street with Stanley Weiser has claimed that the film was prompted by the callous treatment afforded his stockbroker father after 50 years in the business; this may be why the film's most compelling scenes are those between Bud Fox and his airline mechanic father (played by Charlie Sheen's real-life dad Martin). Ironically Wall Street was released just before the October 1987 stock market crash.

"Greed is Good." This is the credo of the aptly named Gordon Gekko ( Michael Douglas ), the antihero of Oliver Stone's Wall Street . Gekko , a high - rolling corporate raider , is idolized by young - and - hungry broker Bud Fox ( Charlie Sheen ) . Inveigling himself into Gekko's inner circle , Fox quickly learns to rape , murder and bury his sense of ethics. Only when Gekko's wheeling and dealing causes a near - tragedy on a personal level does Fox "reform" - though his means of destroying Gekko are every bit as underhanded as his previous activities on the trading floor. Director Stone , who cowrote Wall Street with Stanley Weiser , has claimed that the film was prompted by the callous treatment afforded his stockbroker father after 50 years in the business ; this may be why the film's most compelling scenes are those between Bud Fox and his airline mechanic father ( played by Charlie Sheen's real - life dad Martin ) . Ironically , Wall Street was released just before the October , 1987 stock market crash.

One of the earliest feature films to reflect the video-game craze of the 1980s Disney's Tron stars Jeff Bridges as computer programmer Kevin Flynn who becomes part of the very game that he's programming. Flynn's principal antagonist is his glory-grabbing boss Ed Dillinger (David Warner) who likewise metamorphoses into a video-game character. The title character a computer-generated superhero is played by Bruce Boxleitner. Though antiquated by 1990s standards Tron represented the last word in special effects back in 1982. Surprisingly despite its long-range influence on the movie industry the film was a box-office disappointment when first released.

One of the earliest feature films to reflect the video - game craze of the 1980s , Disney's Tron stars Jeff Bridges as computer programmer Kevin Flynn , who becomes part of the very game that he's programming. Flynn's principal antagonist is his glory - grabbing boss , Ed Dillinger ( David Warner ), who likewise metamorphoses into a video - game character. The title character , a computer - generated superhero , is played by Bruce Boxleitner . Though antiquated by 1990s standards , Tron represented the last word in special effects back in 1982. Surprisingly , despite its long - range influence on the movie industry , the film was a box - office disappointment when first released.

Purple Rain the first starring film for Prince is the story of an arrogant young black singer born and raised in Minneapolis who reaches the pinnacle of stardom. The dramatic complications include "The Kid's" (Prince) miserable home life where he suffers the brutalities of his father (well played by Clarence Williams III) and the youth's efforts to win the love of the beautiful Apollonia. Despite the misogynistic undercurrents in Purple Rain the film's biggest fans were young women. Gorgeously photographed by Donald Thorin Purple Rain is essentially a glorified music video highlighted by a catalogue of Prince's hits including I Would Die 4 U When Doves Cry and Let's Go Crazy; the score deservedly won an Academy Award and a Grammy.

Purple Rain , the first starring film for Prince , is the story of an arrogant , young black singer , born and raised in Minneapolis , who reaches the pinnacle of stardom. The dramatic complications include "The Kid's" ( Prince ) miserable home life , where he suffers the brutalities of his father ( well played by Clarence Williams III ) and the youth's efforts to win the love of the beautiful Apollonia . Despite the misogynistic undercurrents in Purple Rain , the film's biggest fans were young women. Gorgeously photographed by Donald Thorin , Purple Rain is essentially a glorified music video , highlighted by a catalogue of Prince 's hits , including I Would Die 4 U , When Doves Cry and Let's Go Crazy ; the score deservedly won an Academy Award and a Grammy.

A petite New Jersey housewife finds self-fulfillment through amnesia in this new wave comedy of errors set in New York's hip '80s downtown scene. Rosanna Arquette stars as Roberta who turns to the personals for vicarious thrills after her four-year marriage to staid hot tub salesman Gary (Mark Blum) grows stale. Her favorite classified ads trace the romance of Jim (Robert Joy) a struggling musician and Susan (Madonna) a SoHo vamp who's just narrowly escaped being murdered alongside one of her other boyfriends -- a gangster who recently stole some Egyptian jewelry. Through a series of complicated missteps Roberta ends up losing her memory and convincing both herself and a broodingly handsome young man named Dez (Aiden Quinn) that she's the elusive adventurous Susan. Soon Roberta finds herself being romanced by Dez and pursued separately by her husband Jim Susan and by a murderous mobster who's looking for the stolen jewels. For her second feature outing which was partially inspired by Jacques Rivette's Celine and Julie Go Boating director Susan Seidelman filled her cast with hipster extras downtown personalities and New York thespians. Notable faces include comedian Steven Wright; future indie mainstay John Turturro; future TV stars Michael Badalucco and Laurie Metcalf; punk singer Richard Hell who also starred in Seidelman's Smithereens; and performance artist Ann Magnunson who would star in the director's Making Mr. Right. The big dance-club sequence was filmed at Danceteria the disco that helped launch Madonna's career. The scene and the film helped propel "Into the Groove" one of the singer's all-time club classics into the charts even though it was actually a b-side to the single "Angel."

A petite New Jersey housewife finds self - fulfillment through amnesia in this new wave comedy of errors set in New York's hip '80s downtown scene. Rosanna Arquette stars as Roberta , who turns to the personals for vicarious thrills after her four - year marriage to staid hot tub salesman Gary ( Mark Blum ) grows stale. Her favorite classified ads trace the romance of Jim ( Robert Joy ), a struggling musician , and Susan ( Madonna ), a SoHo vamp who's just narrowly escaped being murdered alongside one of her other boyfriends -- a gangster who recently stole some Egyptian jewelry. Through a series of complicated missteps , Roberta ends up losing her memory and convincing both herself and a broodingly handsome young man named Dez ( Aiden Quinn ) that she's the elusive , adventurous Susan. Soon , Roberta finds herself being romanced by Dez and pursued separately by her husband , Jim , Susan , and by a murderous mobster who's looking for the stolen jewels. For her second feature outing , which was partially inspired by Jacques Rivette 's Celine and Julie Go Boating , director Susan Seidelman filled her cast with hipster extras , downtown personalities , and New York thespians. Notable faces include comedian Steven Wright ; future indie mainstay John Turturro ; future TV stars Michael Badalucco and Laurie Metcalf ; punk singer Richard Hell , who also starred in Seidelman 's Smithereens ; and performance artist Ann Magnunson , who would star in the director's Making Mr. Right . The big dance - club sequence was filmed at Danceteria , the disco that helped launch Madonna 's career. The scene , and the film , helped propel "Into the Groove , " one of the singer's all - time club classics , into the charts even though it was actually a b - side to the single "Angel."

What's that wisecracking young black guy (Eddie Murphy) in that beat-up Chevy Nova doing in lily-white Beverly Hills? He's Axel Foley a Detroit detective who's been sent on involuntary vacation because he refuses to drop his intention of avenging his friend's murder. Warned by Beverly Hills police chief Ronny Cox to stay out of trouble Foley nonetheless dogs the trail of above-the-law Steven Berkoff the British crime czar who was responsible for the murder of Foley's friend. With the help of sympathetic local cops Judge Reinhold and John Ashton and lady friend Lisa Eilbacher Foley attempts to corner Berkoff in his mansion which leads to a wild slapsticky shootout.

What's that wisecracking young black guy ( Eddie Murphy ) in that beat - up Chevy Nova doing in lily - white Beverly Hills? He's Axel Foley , a Detroit detective who's been sent on involuntary vacation because he refuses to drop his intention of avenging his friend's murder. Warned by Beverly Hills police chief Ronny Cox to stay out of trouble , Foley nonetheless dogs the trail of above - the - law Steven Berkoff , the British crime czar who was responsible for the murder of Foley's friend. With the help of sympathetic local cops Judge Reinhold and John Ashton and lady friend Lisa Eilbacher , Foley attempts to corner Berkoff in his mansion , which leads to a wild slapsticky shootout.

Devil-may-care navy pilot Pete Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is sent to Miramar Naval Air Station for advanced training. Here he vies with Tom Kasansky (Val Kilmer) for the coveted "Top Gun" award. When not so occupied Mitchell carries on a romance with civilian consultant Charlotte Blackwood (Kelly McGillis). Shaken up by the death of a friend Mitchell loses the Top Gun honor to Kasansky. Worried that he may have lost his nerve Mitchell is given a chance to redeem himself during a tense international crisis involving a crippled US vessel and a flock of predatory enemy planes. The story wasn't new in 1986 but Top Gun scored with audiences on the strength of its visuals especially the vertigo-inducing aerial sequences. The film made more money than any other film in 1986 and even spawned a 1989 takeoff Hot Shots. An Academy Award went to the Giogio Moroder-Tom Whitlock song "Take My Breath Away."

Devil - may - care navy pilot Pete Mitchell ( Tom Cruise ) is sent to Miramar Naval Air Station for advanced training. Here he vies with Tom Kasansky ( Val Kilmer ) for the coveted "Top Gun" award. When not so occupied , Mitchell carries on a romance with civilian consultant Charlotte Blackwood ( Kelly McGillis ) . Shaken up by the death of a friend , Mitchell loses the Top Gun honor to Kasansky. Worried that he may have lost his nerve , Mitchell is given a chance to redeem himself during a tense international crisis involving a crippled US vessel and a flock of predatory enemy planes. The story wasn't new in 1986 , but Top Gun scored with audiences on the strength of its visuals , especially the vertigo - inducing aerial sequences. The film made more money than any other film in 1986 and even spawned a 1989 takeoff , Hot Shots . An Academy Award went to the Giogio Moroder - Tom Whitlock song "Take My Breath Away."

Jennifer Beals stars as Alex Owens a Pittsburgh steel-mill welder by day and bar dancer by night. Harboring dreams of a career in ballet she is given financial support in this endeavor by her boss Nick Hurley (Michael Nouri) and moral support by demanding but big-hearted instructor Hanna Long (Lilia Skala). The film's signature scene is of course Alex's water-drenched dance audition largely performed in long shot by her dance double Marine Jahan. Essentially an old-fashioned backstage yarn Flashdance was given a contemporary spin by its pulsating musical score featuring the Oscar-winning Best Song Flashdance...What a Feeling (music by Giorgio Moroder lyrics by Keith Forsey and Irene Cara).

Jennifer Beals stars as Alex Owens , a Pittsburgh steel - mill welder by day , and bar dancer by night. Harboring dreams of a career in ballet , she is given financial support in this endeavor by her boss Nick Hurley ( Michael Nouri ) and moral support by demanding but big - hearted instructor Hanna Long ( Lilia Skala ) . The film's signature scene is , of course , Alex's water - drenched dance audition , largely performed in long shot by her dance double Marine Jahan . Essentially an old - fashioned backstage yarn , Flashdance was given a contemporary spin by its pulsating , musical score featuring the Oscar - winning Best Song , Flashdance...What a Feeling , ( music by Giorgio Moroder , lyrics by Keith Forsey and Irene Cara ) .

Post-collegiate angst '80s style is the subject of this coming-of-age ensemble piece which traces the fortunes of a group of Georgetown grads as they enter the real world and grapple with work infidelity and adulthood. The most outwardly upscale member of the gang Jules (Demi Moore) hides a plethora of emotional baggage behind a chic wardrobe an expensive apartment a fashionable drug habit and lots of meaningless casual sex. Her friend Wendy (Mare Winningham) has the opposite problem; a trust-fund baby with body-image issues and little sexual experience she's hung up on Billy (Rob Lowe) a no-good sax-playing drunkard who can't face up to his responsibilities in the job market or at home with his wife and young child. Such open infidelity is anathema to Alex (Judd Nelson) who must maintain a sense of propriety even while engaging in compulsive womanizing; after all the Democrat-turned-Republican's nascent political career requires the sort of picture-perfect relationship he shares with girlfriend Leslie (Ally Sheedy). That doesn't sit too well with tortured writer Kevin (Andrew McCarthy) who toils away at a newspaper job and pines away for the unattainable Leslie. Unrequited love also dogs Kirby (Emilio Estevez) a law-school student whose greatest wish is to romance classy doctor Dale Biberman (Andie MacDowell) who is alas way out of his league. Co-written by director Joel Schumacher and his studio intern Carl Kurlander St. Elmo's Fire spawned the number one pop hit "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" which was credited to John Parr but co-written by music producer David Foster.

Post - collegiate angst , '80s style , is the subject of this coming - of - age ensemble piece , which traces the fortunes of a group of Georgetown grads as they enter the real world and grapple with work , infidelity , and adulthood. The most outwardly upscale member of the gang , Jules ( Demi Moore ), hides a plethora of emotional baggage behind a chic wardrobe , an expensive apartment , a fashionable drug habit , and lots of meaningless casual sex. Her friend Wendy ( Mare Winningham ) has the opposite problem ; a trust - fund baby with body - image issues and little sexual experience , she's hung up on Billy ( Rob Lowe ), a no - good , sax - playing drunkard who can't face up to his responsibilities in the job market or at home with his wife and young child. Such open infidelity is anathema to Alex ( Judd Nelson ), who must maintain a sense of propriety even while engaging in compulsive womanizing ; after all , the Democrat - turned - Republican's nascent political career requires the sort of picture - perfect relationship he shares with girlfriend Leslie ( Ally Sheedy ) . That doesn't sit too well with tortured writer Kevin ( Andrew McCarthy ), who toils away at a newspaper job and pines away for the unattainable Leslie. Unrequited love also dogs Kirby ( Emilio Estevez ), a law - school student whose greatest wish is to romance classy doctor Dale Biberman ( Andie MacDowell ), who is , alas , way out of his league. Co - written by director Joel Schumacher and his studio intern , Carl Kurlander , St. Elmo's Fire spawned the number one pop hit "St. Elmo's Fire ( Man in Motion ), " which was credited to John Parr but co - written by music producer David Foster .

After the highly acclaimed independent film Bottle Rocket director Wes Anderson followed up with a quirky Touchstone Studios film entitled Rushmore. Written by Anderson and friend Owen Wilson (an actor in Armageddon and Anaconda) they created the story of Max Fischer a highly eccentric 15-year-old boy who attends the tenth grade at Rushmore Academy. Played by Jason Schwartzman (Talia Shire's son and Francis Ford Coppola's nephew) Max is a poor student with big dreams and a love of extracurricular activities. Max is editor of the school newspaper and yearbook president of the chess astronomy French and German clubs captain of the fencing team and director of the school play. Max is also a compulsive liar telling everyone that his barber father (Seymour Cassel) is really a brain surgeon. Suddenly Max falls in love with Miss Cross (Olivia Williams) a first-grade teacher at the school. He also makes a new friend in business tycoon Mr. Blume (Bill Murray) an eccentric millionaire who also loves Miss Cross. The love triangle heats up as Max refuses to believe that his age has anything to do with Miss Cross refusing his romantic advances. Also Max's scheme to erect an aquarium on the school baseball diamond gets him booted out of Rushmore Academy. As his life crumbles around him he is forced to grow up and accept the consequences of his actions and his lies. He throws himself more into his extracurricular activities hoping to redeem himself by staging the most ambitious school play ever attempted.

After the highly acclaimed independent film Bottle Rocket , director Wes Anderson followed up with a quirky Touchstone Studios film entitled Rushmore . Written by Anderson and friend Owen Wilson ( an actor in Armageddon and Anaconda ), they created the story of Max Fischer , a highly eccentric 15 - year - old boy who attends the tenth grade at Rushmore Academy. Played by Jason Schwartzman ( Talia Shire 's son and Francis Ford Coppola 's nephew ), Max is a poor student with big dreams and a love of extracurricular activities. Max is editor of the school newspaper and yearbook , president of the chess , astronomy , French , and German clubs , captain of the fencing team , and director of the school play. Max is also a compulsive liar , telling everyone that his barber father ( Seymour Cassel ) is really a brain surgeon. Suddenly Max falls in love with Miss Cross ( Olivia Williams ), a first - grade teacher at the school. He also makes a new friend in business tycoon Mr. Blume ( Bill Murray ), an eccentric millionaire who also loves Miss Cross. The love triangle heats up as Max refuses to believe that his age has anything to do with Miss Cross refusing his romantic advances. Also Max's scheme to erect an aquarium on the school baseball diamond gets him booted out of Rushmore Academy. As his life crumbles around him , he is forced to grow up and accept the consequences of his actions and his lies. He throws himself more into his extracurricular activities , hoping to redeem himself by staging the most ambitious school play ever attempted.

Dedicated to his mentors Sergio Leone and Don Siegel Clint Eastwood's 1992 Oscar-winner examines the mythic violence of the Western taking on the ghosts of his own star past. Disgusted by Sheriff "Little Bill" Daggett's decree that several ponies make up for a cowhand's slashing a whore's face Big Whiskey prostitutes led by fierce Strawberry Alice (Frances Fisher) take justice into their own hands and put a $1000 bounty on the lives of the perpetrators. Notorious outlaw-turned-hog farmer William Munny (Eastwood) is sought out by neophyte gunslinger the Schofield Kid (Jaimz Woolvett) to go with him to Big Whiskey and collect the bounty. While Munny insists "I ain't like that no more" he needs the bounty money for his children and the two men convince Munny's clean-living comrade Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman) to join them in righting a wrong done to a woman. Little Bill (Oscar-winner Gene Hackman) however has no intention of letting any bounty hunters impinge on his iron-clad authority. When pompous gunman English Bob (Richard Harris) arrives in Big Whiskey with pulp biographer W.W. Beauchamp (Saul Rubinek) in tow Little Bill beats Bob senseless and promises to tell Beauchamp the real story about violent frontier life and justice. But when Munny the true unwritten legend comes to town everyone soon learns a harsh lesson about the price of vindictive bloodshed and the malleability of ideas like "justice." "I don't deserve this" pleads Little Bill. "Deserve's got nothin' to do with it" growls Munny simultaneously summing up the insanity of western violence and the legacy of Eastwood's Man With No Name.

Dedicated to his mentors Sergio Leone and Don Siegel , Clint Eastwood 's 1992 Oscar - winner examines the mythic violence of the Western , taking on the ghosts of his own star past. Disgusted by Sheriff "Little Bill" Daggett's decree that several ponies make up for a cowhand's slashing a whore's face , Big Whiskey prostitutes , led by fierce Strawberry Alice ( Frances Fisher ), take justice into their own hands and put a $1000 bounty on the lives of the perpetrators. Notorious outlaw - turned - hog farmer William Munny ( Eastwood ) is sought out by neophyte gunslinger the Schofield Kid ( Jaimz Woolvett ) to go with him to Big Whiskey and collect the bounty. While Munny insists , "I ain't like that no more , " he needs the bounty money for his children , and the two men convince Munny's clean - living comrade Ned Logan ( Morgan Freeman ) to join them in righting a wrong done to a woman. Little Bill ( Oscar - winner Gene Hackman ), however , has no intention of letting any bounty hunters impinge on his iron - clad authority. When pompous gunman English Bob ( Richard Harris ) arrives in Big Whiskey with pulp biographer W.W. Beauchamp ( Saul Rubinek ) in tow , Little Bill beats Bob senseless and promises to tell Beauchamp the real story about violent frontier life and justice. But when Munny , the true unwritten legend , comes to town , everyone soon learns a harsh lesson about the price of vindictive bloodshed and the malleability of ideas like "justice." "I don't deserve this , " pleads Little Bill. "Deserve's got nothin' to do with it , " growls Munny , simultaneously summing up the insanity of western violence and the legacy of Eastwood's Man With No Name.

Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon play Thelma and Louise two working-class friends who together have planned a weekend getaway from the men in their lives. Thelma's husband Darryl (Chris McDonald) is an overbearing oaf and Louise's boyfriend Jimmy (Michael Madsen) simply will not commit. Though the road trip starts out as a good time the pair eventually wind up at a bar. A tipsy Thelma ends up in the parking lot of the bar with a would-be rapist. Louise shoots the man dead. The two decide that they have no choice but to go on the run. They eventually meet up with a young criminal named J.D. (Brad Pitt) whose cowboy spirit rubs off on the timid Thelma. The pair is pursued by a police officer (Harvey Keitel) sympathetic toward their plight. He chases them to the Grand Canyon where the women make a fateful decision about their lives. Directed by Ridley Scott Thelma & Louise brought first-time screenwriter Callie Khouri many accolades including the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon play Thelma and Louise , two working - class friends who together have planned a weekend getaway from the men in their lives. Thelma's husband , Darryl ( Chris McDonald ), is an overbearing oaf , and Louise's boyfriend , Jimmy ( Michael Madsen ), simply will not commit. Though the road trip starts out as a good time , the pair eventually wind up at a bar. A tipsy Thelma ends up in the parking lot of the bar with a would - be rapist. Louise shoots the man dead. The two decide that they have no choice but to go on the run. They eventually meet up with a young criminal named J.D. ( Brad Pitt ), whose cowboy spirit rubs off on the timid Thelma. The pair is pursued by a police officer ( Harvey Keitel ) sympathetic toward their plight. He chases them to the Grand Canyon , where the women make a fateful decision about their lives. Directed by Ridley Scott , Thelma & Louise brought first - time screenwriter Callie Khouri many accolades including the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

A sequel to the sci-fi action thriller that made him and star Arnold Schwarzenegger A-list Hollywood names writer/director James Cameron upped the ante with this follow-up by employing a more sweeping storyline and cutting-edge special effects. Linda Hamilton returns as Sarah Connor now a single mother to rebellious teen John Connor (Edward Furlong) during the late nineties. Having been informed by a time-traveling soldier in the first film that John will one day grow up to become humanity's savior from a computer-controlled Armageddon Sarah has responded by becoming a muscle-bound she-warrior bent on educating John in survival tactics and battle strategies. Her ranting about humankind's future has landed Sarah in an insane asylum and John in the foster care system. The rebellious John has responded to his situation by getting into scrapes with the law. When a new and improved Terminator android called the T-1000 (Robert Patrick) arrives from the future to eliminate John an older model T-800 (Schwarzenegger) is sent to protect the boy. The T-1000 however has the ability to morph itself into any shape it desires allowing it chameleon-like powers and near indestructibility. The T-800 saves John's life and helps break Sarah out of the institution. Staying only one step ahead of the dogged T-1000 Sarah leads her son and the T-800 to the headquarters of Cyberdyne Systems the company that will invent a robotic intelligence that will eventually take over the world. There they attempt to convince inventor Miles Dyson (Joe Morton) to help them stop the future from ever occurring by destroying his work. Dyson sacrifices himself in an explosion to save the world leading to a final showdown between the two Terminators at a steel foundry. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) which won four Oscars in technical categories for its groundbreaking effects was followed by a short sequel filmed exclusively as an attraction for theme parks Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time (1996).

A sequel to the sci - fi action thriller that made him and star Arnold Schwarzenegger A - list Hollywood names , writer / director James Cameron upped the ante with this follow - up by employing a more sweeping storyline and cutting - edge special effects. Linda Hamilton returns as Sarah Connor , now a single mother to rebellious teen John Connor ( Edward Furlong ), during the late nineties. Having been informed by a time - traveling soldier in the first film that John will one day grow up to become humanity's savior from a computer - controlled Armageddon , Sarah has responded by becoming a muscle - bound she - warrior bent on educating John in survival tactics and battle strategies. Her ranting about humankind's future has landed Sarah in an insane asylum and John in the foster care system. The rebellious John has responded to his situation by getting into scrapes with the law. When a new and improved Terminator android called the T - 1000 ( Robert Patrick ) arrives from the future to eliminate John , an older model T - 800 ( Schwarzenegger ) is sent to protect the boy. The T - 1000 , however , has the ability to morph itself into any shape it desires , allowing it chameleon - like powers and near indestructibility. The T - 800 saves John's life and helps break Sarah out of the institution. Staying only one step ahead of the dogged T - 1000 , Sarah leads her son and the T - 800 to the headquarters of Cyberdyne Systems , the company that will invent a robotic intelligence that will eventually take over the world. There , they attempt to convince inventor Miles Dyson ( Joe Morton ) to help them stop the future from ever occurring by destroying his work. Dyson sacrifices himself in an explosion to save the world , leading to a final showdown between the two Terminators at a steel foundry. Terminator 2 : Judgment Day ( 1991 ), which won four Oscars in technical categories for its groundbreaking effects , was followed by a short sequel filmed exclusively as an attraction for theme parks , Terminator 2 : 3 - D Battle Across Time ( 1996 ) .

In this multiple Oscar-winning thriller Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling a top student at the FBI's training academy whose shrewd analyses of serial killers lands her a special assignment: the FBI is investigating a vicious murderer nicknamed Buffalo Bill who kills young women and then removes the skin from their bodies. Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into this case and that Starling as an attractive young woman may be just the bait to draw him out. Lecter does indeed know something of Buffalo Bill but his information comes with a price: in exchange for telling what he knows he wants to be housed in a more comfortable facility. More important he wants to speak with Clarice about her past. He skillfully digs into her psyche forcing her to reveal her innermost traumas and putting her in a position of vulnerability when she can least afford to be weak. The film mingles the horrors of criminal acts with the psychological horrors of Lecter's slow-motion interrogation of Clarice and of her memories that emerge from it.

In this multiple Oscar - winning thriller , Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling , a top student at the FBI's training academy whose shrewd analyses of serial killers lands her a special assignment : the FBI is investigating a vicious murderer nicknamed Buffalo Bill , who kills young women and then removes the skin from their bodies. Jack Crawford ( Scott Glenn ) wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter ( Anthony Hopkins ), a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath , serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into this case and that Starling , as an attractive young woman , may be just the bait to draw him out. Lecter does indeed know something of Buffalo Bill , but his information comes with a price : in exchange for telling what he knows , he wants to be housed in a more comfortable facility. More important , he wants to speak with Clarice about her past. He skillfully digs into her psyche , forcing her to reveal her innermost traumas and putting her in a position of vulnerability when she can least afford to be weak. The film mingles the horrors of criminal acts with the psychological horrors of Lecter's slow - motion interrogation of Clarice and of her memories that emerge from it.

Director John Singleton's debut chronicles the trials and tribulations of three young African-American males growing up in South Central Los Angeles. When young Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.) a bright underachiever begins to show signs of trouble his struggling professional mother (Angela Basset) sends him to live with his father (Lawrence Fishburne) a hard-nosed no-nonsense disciplinarian. There he befriends Ricky (Morris Chestnut) a burgeoning football star and Doughboy (Ice Cube in a standout performance) a would-be gang banger. Over the years each chooses his own path: Tre seems bound for college; Ricky is a blue-chip running back with his pick of schools; Doughboy is a dope dealer and bona fide gangster who drifts in and out of the county juvenile facility. All is well until without warning a rival gang chases down Tre and Ricky with tragic results. Doughboy immediately prepares for revenge forcing Tre to decide whether to jeopardize his future and perhaps his life for the price of revenge and self-respect. Sometimes riveting Boyz'N the Hood is not without its problems. The film tries to cram every single issue facing the black community into an hour and a half of screen time making the film seem at times forced. The symbolism seems forced as well and the film is often unbearably heavy-handed. Also the characterization often relies on cardboard cut-outs; every white character in the film is a one-dimensional bigot and the black police officer with whom Tre and his father deal is even worse than his Caucasian counterparts. Still the unevenness of the film is redeemed by some moments of true brilliance.

Director John Singleton's debut chronicles the trials and tribulations of three young African - American males growing up in South Central Los Angeles. When young Tre ( Cuba Gooding Jr. ), a bright underachiever , begins to show signs of trouble , his struggling professional mother ( Angela Basset ) sends him to live with his father ( Lawrence Fishburne ), a hard - nosed , no - nonsense disciplinarian. There he befriends Ricky ( Morris Chestnut ), a burgeoning football star , and Doughboy ( Ice Cube , in a standout performance ), a would - be gang banger. Over the years , each chooses his own path : Tre seems bound for college ; Ricky is a blue - chip running back with his pick of schools ; Doughboy is a dope dealer and bona fide gangster who drifts in and out of the county juvenile facility. All is well until , without warning , a rival gang chases down Tre and Ricky with tragic results. Doughboy immediately prepares for revenge , forcing Tre to decide whether to jeopardize his future and , perhaps , his life for the price of revenge and self - respect. Sometimes riveting , Boyz'N the Hood is not without its problems. The film tries to cram every single issue facing the black community into an hour and a half of screen time , making the film seem at times forced. The symbolism seems forced as well , and the film is often unbearably heavy - handed. Also , the characterization often relies on cardboard cut - outs ; every white character in the film is a one - dimensional bigot , and the black police officer with whom Tre and his father deal is even worse than his Caucasian counterparts. Still , the unevenness of the film is redeemed by some moments of true brilliance.

Writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson followed his critical and commercial breakthrough Boogie Nights with this wildly ambitious story of lives intertwining on a single day in California's San Fernando Valley. Earl Partridge (Jason Robards) a successful producer of television game shows left his wife when she contracted cancer to marry the younger and more beautiful Linda (Julianne Moore). Now Earl has cancer himself and Linda spends her day fetching medicines and trying to deal with the imminent death of her husband whom she has only now come to love. Earl asks his nurse Phil (Philip Seymour Hoffman) to arrange a meeting with his estranged son Frank Mackey (Tom Cruise) known for his self-help program "Seduce and Destroy" in which he preaches the importance of male sexual prowess; he cared for his mother after Earl left her and he has no desire to see his father again. Earl's best-known show is hosted by Jimmy Gator (Philip Baker Hall) who also learns that he is dying. Jimmy's show pits bright adults against unusually smart kids; one of Jimmy's child contestants Stanley (Jeremy Blackman) arrives late for a taping after being left stranded by his father Rick (Michael Bowen) who is supported by his more successful son. Meanwhile Donnie Smith (William H. Macy) who was a champ on Jimmy's show as a child is not having as much luck as an adult; he's just lost his job and needs to pay for some expensive dental work. Jimmy wants to reconcile with his estranged and emotionally fragile daughter Claudia (Melora Walters) who despises him and who will become involved with well-meaning police officer Jim Kurring (John C. Reilly) who has been desperately lonely since his divorce three years ago. Magnolia reunites much of the cast and crew of Boogie Nights and features eight original songs by singer/songwriter Aimee Mann and a musical score by Jon Brion.

Writer / director Paul Thomas Anderson followed his critical and commercial breakthrough Boogie Nights with this wildly ambitious story of lives intertwining on a single day in California's San Fernando Valley. Earl Partridge ( Jason Robards ), a successful producer of television game shows , left his wife when she contracted cancer to marry the younger and more beautiful Linda ( Julianne Moore ) . Now , Earl has cancer himself , and Linda spends her day fetching medicines and trying to deal with the imminent death of her husband , whom she has only now come to love. Earl asks his nurse Phil ( Philip Seymour Hoffman ) to arrange a meeting with his estranged son , Frank Mackey ( Tom Cruise ), known for his self - help program "Seduce and Destroy , " in which he preaches the importance of male sexual prowess ; he cared for his mother after Earl left her , and he has no desire to see his father again. Earl's best - known show is hosted by Jimmy Gator ( Philip Baker Hall ), who also learns that he is dying. Jimmy's show pits bright adults against unusually smart kids ; one of Jimmy's child contestants , Stanley ( Jeremy Blackman ), arrives late for a taping after being left stranded by his father Rick ( Michael Bowen ), who is supported by his more successful son. Meanwhile , Donnie Smith ( William H. Macy ), who was a champ on Jimmy's show as a child , is not having as much luck as an adult ; he's just lost his job and needs to pay for some expensive dental work. Jimmy wants to reconcile with his estranged and emotionally fragile daughter Claudia ( Melora Walters ), who despises him and who will become involved with well - meaning police officer Jim Kurring ( John C. Reilly ), who has been desperately lonely since his divorce three years ago. Magnolia reunites much of the cast and crew of Boogie Nights and features eight original songs by singer / songwriter Aimee Mann and a musical score by Jon Brion .

Noted theater director Sam Mendes who was responsible for the acclaimed 1998 revival of Cabaret and Nicole Kidman's turn in The Blue Room made his motion picture debut with this film about the dark side of an American family and about the nature and price of beauty in a culture obsessed with outward appearances. Kevin Spacey plays Lester Burnham a man in his mid-40s going through an intense midlife crisis; he's grown cynical and is convinced that he has no reason to go on. Lester's relationship with his wife Carolyn (Annette Bening) is not a warm one; while on the surface Carolyn strives to present the image that she's in full control of her life inside she feels empty and desperate. Their teenage daughter Jane (Thora Birch) is constantly depressed lacking in self-esteem and convinced that she's unattractive. Her problems aren't helped by her best friend Angela (Mena Suvari) an aspiring model who is quite beautiful and believes that that alone makes her a worthwhile person. Jane isn't the only one who has noticed that Angela is attractive: Lester has fallen into uncontrollable lust for her and she becomes part of his drastic plan to change his body and change his life. Meanwhile next door Colonel Fitts (Chris Cooper) has spent a lifetime in the Marine Corps and can understand and tolerate no other way of life which makes life difficult for his son Ricky (Wes Bentley) an aspiring filmmaker and part-time drug dealer who is obsessed with beauty wherever and whatever it may be. American Beauty was also the screen debut for screenwriter Alan Ball.

Noted theater director Sam Mendes , who was responsible for the acclaimed 1998 revival of Cabaret and Nicole Kidman 's turn in The Blue Room , made his motion picture debut with this film about the dark side of an American family , and about the nature and price of beauty in a culture obsessed with outward appearances. Kevin Spacey plays Lester Burnham , a man in his mid - 40s going through an intense midlife crisis ; he's grown cynical and is convinced that he has no reason to go on. Lester's relationship with his wife Carolyn ( Annette Bening ) is not a warm one ; while on the surface Carolyn strives to present the image that she's in full control of her life , inside she feels empty and desperate. Their teenage daughter Jane ( Thora Birch ) is constantly depressed , lacking in self - esteem , and convinced that she's unattractive. Her problems aren't helped by her best friend Angela ( Mena Suvari ), an aspiring model who is quite beautiful and believes that that alone makes her a worthwhile person. Jane isn't the only one who has noticed that Angela is attractive : Lester has fallen into uncontrollable lust for her , and she becomes part of his drastic plan to change his body and change his life. Meanwhile , next door , Colonel Fitts ( Chris Cooper ) has spent a lifetime in the Marine Corps and can understand and tolerate no other way of life , which makes life difficult for his son Ricky ( Wes Bentley ), an aspiring filmmaker and part - time drug dealer who is obsessed with beauty , wherever and whatever it may be. American Beauty was also the screen debut for screenwriter Alan Ball .

Reminiscent of a fine novel in depth and complexity writer-director John Sayles' acclaimed drama uses the investigation of a 25-year-old murder as the framework for a detailed exploration of life in a Texas border town. The nominal center of the film is Sheriff Sam Deeds (the superb subtle Chris Cooper) the chief law officer of the town of Frontera. The low-key Sam is also the son of the late Buddy Deeds (played in flashbacks by Matthew McConaughey) who also served as town sheriff and still maintains a legendary status for ousting the vicious corrupt Charlie Wade (a memorably vicious Kris Kristofferson). The discovery of Wade's decades-old skeleton however calls this legend into question and forces Sam to begin an investigation. During this search for the truth Sam must come to terms with his own troubled emotions about his father and his still-lingering romantic feelings for Pilar (Elizabeth Peña) a Hispanic woman that Buddy had prevented him from seeing as a young man. Lone Star's scope encompasses not only this story but the whole town addressing Pilar's difficulties as a schoolteacher the conflict between incoming immigrants and border patrol officers and the troubles faced by the African-American commander of the local military base. Sayles expertly moves between past and present weaving his stories together to illustrate as in his earlier City of Hope (1991) how the seemingly disparate parts of a community are in fact intimately interconnected. Raising issues of race politics and identity Lone Star nevertheless focuses most of its attention on its complex believable characters well-performed by an excellent ensemble cast. One of the most financially successful of Sayles' low-key movies Lone Star received glowing notices and an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.

Reminiscent of a fine novel in depth and complexity , writer - director John Sayles ' acclaimed drama uses the investigation of a 25 - year - old murder as the framework for a detailed exploration of life in a Texas border town. The nominal center of the film is Sheriff Sam Deeds ( the superb , subtle Chris Cooper ), the chief law officer of the town of Frontera. The low - key Sam is also the son of the late Buddy Deeds ( played in flashbacks by Matthew McConaughey ), who also served as town sheriff and still maintains a legendary status for ousting the vicious , corrupt Charlie Wade ( a memorably vicious Kris Kristofferson ) . The discovery of Wade's decades - old skeleton , however , calls this legend into question , and forces Sam to begin an investigation. During this search for the truth , Sam must come to terms with his own troubled emotions about his father and his still - lingering romantic feelings for Pilar ( Elizabeth Peña ), a Hispanic woman that Buddy had prevented him from seeing as a young man. Lone Star 's scope encompasses not only this story but the whole town , addressing Pilar's difficulties as a schoolteacher , the conflict between incoming immigrants and border patrol officers , and the troubles faced by the African - American commander of the local military base. Sayles expertly moves between past and present , weaving his stories together to illustrate , as in his earlier City of Hope ( 1991 ), how the seemingly disparate parts of a community are in fact intimately interconnected. Raising issues of race , politics , and identity , Lone Star nevertheless focuses most of its attention on its complex , believable characters , well - performed by an excellent ensemble cast. One of the most financially successful of Sayles' low - key movies , Lone Star received glowing notices and an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.

Director David Fincher's dark stylish thriller ranks as one of the decade's most influential box-office successes. Set in a hellish vision of a New York-like city where it is always raining and the air crackles with impending death the film concerns Det. William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) a homicide specialist just one week from a well-deserved retirement. Every minute of his 32 years on the job is evident in Somerset's worn exhausted face and his soul aches with the pain that can only come from having seen and felt far too much. But Somerset's retirement must wait for one last case for which he is teamed with young hotshot David Mills (Brad Pitt) the fiery detective set to replace him at the end of the week. Mills has talked his reluctant wife Tracy (Gwyneth Paltrow) into moving to the big city so that he can tackle important cases but his first and Somerset's last are more than either man has bargained for. A diabolical serial killer is staging grisly murders choosing victims representing the seven deadly sins. First an obese man is forced to eat until his stomach ruptures to represent gluttony then a wealthy defense lawyer is made to cut off a pound of his own flesh as penance for greed. Somerset initially refuses to take the case realizing that there will be five more murders ghastly sermons about lust sloth pride wrath and envy presented by a madman to a sinful world. Somerset is correct and something within him cannot let the case go forcing the weary detective to team with Mills and see the case to its almost unspeakably horrible conclusion. The moody photography is by Darius Khondji; the nauseatingly vivid special effects are by makeup artist Rob Bottin best known for more fantasy-oriented work in films like The Howling (1981).

Director David Fincher 's dark , stylish thriller ranks as one of the decade's most influential box - office successes. Set in a hellish vision of a New York - like city , where it is always raining and the air crackles with impending death , the film concerns Det. William Somerset ( Morgan Freeman ), a homicide specialist just one week from a well - deserved retirement. Every minute of his 32 years on the job is evident in Somerset's worn , exhausted face , and his soul aches with the pain that can only come from having seen and felt far too much. But Somerset's retirement must wait for one last case , for which he is teamed with young hotshot David Mills ( Brad Pitt ), the fiery detective set to replace him at the end of the week. Mills has talked his reluctant wife , Tracy ( Gwyneth Paltrow ), into moving to the big city so that he can tackle important cases , but his first and Somerset's last are more than either man has bargained for. A diabolical serial killer is staging grisly murders , choosing victims representing the seven deadly sins. First , an obese man is forced to eat until his stomach ruptures to represent gluttony , then a wealthy defense lawyer is made to cut off a pound of his own flesh as penance for greed. Somerset initially refuses to take the case , realizing that there will be five more murders , ghastly sermons about lust , sloth , pride , wrath , and envy presented by a madman to a sinful world. Somerset is correct , and something within him cannot let the case go , forcing the weary detective to team with Mills and see the case to its almost unspeakably horrible conclusion. The moody photography is by Darius Khondji ; the nauseatingly vivid special effects are by makeup artist Rob Bottin , best known for more fantasy - oriented work in films like The Howling ( 1981 ) .

Todd Haynes presents a revisionist take on the paranoia thriller with this story of a Southern California housewife who suddenly falls victim to an inexplicable apparently incurable illness. Carol White (Julianne Moore) lives with her husband and son in suburban comfort until she collapses one day for no apparent reason. Her condition worsens in the weeks that follow as she suffers from coughing fits exhaustion and spontaneous nose bleeds triggered by sources as disparate as car exhaust cologne and the sun. Failing to find any medical explanation for her maladies her doctor refers her to a psychiatrist who suggests that her physical ailments are psychosomatic -- a theory echoed by her callous and increasingly frustrated husband. At her wits' end Carol withdraws to an expensive New Age retreat for sufferers of "20th century disease" where the community's guru (Peter Friedman) champions a dubious regimen of diet climate control introspection and self-love.

Todd Haynes presents a revisionist take on the paranoia thriller with this story of a Southern California housewife who suddenly falls victim to an inexplicable , apparently incurable illness. Carol White ( Julianne Moore ) lives with her husband and son in suburban comfort until she collapses one day , for no apparent reason. Her condition worsens in the weeks that follow , as she suffers from coughing fits , exhaustion , and spontaneous nose bleeds , triggered by sources as disparate as car exhaust , cologne , and the sun. Failing to find any medical explanation for her maladies , her doctor refers her to a psychiatrist , who suggests that her physical ailments are psychosomatic -- a theory echoed by her callous and increasingly frustrated husband. At her wits' end , Carol withdraws to an expensive New Age retreat for sufferers of "20th century disease , " where the community's guru ( Peter Friedman ) champions a dubious regimen of diet , climate control , introspection , and self - love.

If you don't think Speed is the fastest-moving adventure film ever made we challenge you to find a faster one. Keanu Reeves stars as an LA Bomb Squad specialist whose principal antagonist is elusive bomber-extortionist Dennis Hopper. Seeking vengeance after his latest ransom scheme is thwarted Hopper presents a personal challenge to Reeves: A wired-for-destruction city bus which will detonate if the speedometer drops below 50 MPH. Playing the reluctant civilian who is pressed into service as the bus' "substitute driver" leading lady Sandra Bullock became a major star in her own right. Once Speed gets to the meat of its story the excitement never lets up--not even after the boobytrapped bus is out of the picture.

If you don't think Speed is the fastest - moving adventure film ever made , we challenge you to find a faster one. Keanu Reeves stars as an LA Bomb Squad specialist whose principal antagonist is elusive bomber - extortionist Dennis Hopper . Seeking vengeance after his latest ransom scheme is thwarted , Hopper presents a personal challenge to Reeves : A wired - for - destruction city bus , which will detonate if the speedometer drops below 50 MPH. Playing the reluctant civilian who is pressed into service as the bus' "substitute driver , " leading lady Sandra Bullock became a major star in her own right. Once Speed gets to the meat of its story , the excitement never lets up -- not even after the boobytrapped bus is out of the picture.

Florida-based independent filmmaker Victor Nuñez gave young actress Ashley Judd her breakthrough role with his original script about a woman taking to the road to escape her past and forge a new future for herself. Feeling smothered and confused after the death of her mother Ruby Lee Gissing flees her Tennessee home. She drives south to the panhandle of Florida because she has always dreamed of living near the ocean. Mildred Chambers (Dorothy Lyman) the owner of a souvenir shop hires her as a clerk and befriends Ruby as well. Soon there are two men in Ruby's life: Mike McCaslin (Todd Field) and Mildred's ne'er-do-well son Ricky (Bentley Mitchum). Although Ruby briefly succumbs to the advances of one of them by the film's end she is still on her own understanding that a new chapter of her life is just beginning. In addition to the picture taking home the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival Judd was nominated for Best Actress by the New York Film Critics and won Best Female Lead at the Independent Spirits.

Florida - based independent filmmaker Victor Nuñez gave young actress Ashley Judd her breakthrough role with his original script about a woman taking to the road to escape her past and forge a new future for herself. Feeling smothered and confused after the death of her mother , Ruby Lee Gissing flees her Tennessee home. She drives south to the panhandle of Florida , because she has always dreamed of living near the ocean. Mildred Chambers ( Dorothy Lyman ), the owner of a souvenir shop , hires her as a clerk and befriends Ruby as well. Soon , there are two men in Ruby's life : Mike McCaslin ( Todd Field ) and Mildred's ne'er - do - well son , Ricky ( Bentley Mitchum ) . Although Ruby briefly succumbs to the advances of one of them , by the film's end , she is still on her own , understanding that a new chapter of her life is just beginning. In addition to the picture taking home the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival , Judd was nominated for Best Actress by the New York Film Critics and won Best Female Lead at the Independent Spirits.

Tom Tykwer directed this German thriller in which Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu) handled a smuggling job delivered the loot collected the payment left the bag on the subway and now has 20 minutes to gather 100000 deutsche marks or confront the wrath of his boss local criminal Ronnie (Heino Ferch). Desperate Manni phones his girlfriend Lola (Franka Potente) who immediately runs downstairs and through Berlin streets to the bank run by her father (Herbert Knaup). However she's rejected and leaves minus money. When she goes to meet Manni he's holding up a supermarket and she's shot by the cops. In a destiny device familiar to readers of Ken Grimwood's acclaimed novel Replay the story begins anew with different outcomes. In one version Lola robs the bank and takes her father hostage; in another there's casino cash to be won. All Lola-Manni scenes were in 35mm while scenes without them were shot in video. Other cinematic techniques on display here include whip pans jump cuts slow and fast motion split-screen intercut color and black and white segment titles and animation. Shown at 1998 film fests (Venice Montreal Toronto).

Tom Tykwer directed this German thriller in which Manni ( Moritz Bleibtreu ) handled a smuggling job , delivered the loot , collected the payment , left the bag on the subway , and now has 20 minutes to gather 100 , 000 deutsche marks or confront the wrath of his boss , local criminal Ronnie ( Heino Ferch ) . Desperate , Manni phones his girlfriend Lola ( Franka Potente ) who immediately runs downstairs and through Berlin streets to the bank run by her father ( Herbert Knaup ) . However , she's rejected and leaves minus money. When she goes to meet Manni , he's holding up a supermarket , and she's shot by the cops. In a destiny device familiar to readers of Ken Grimwood's acclaimed novel Replay , the story begins anew with different outcomes. In one version , Lola robs the bank and takes her father hostage ; in another , there's casino cash to be won. All Lola - Manni scenes were in 35mm , while scenes without them were shot in video. Other cinematic techniques on display here include whip pans , jump cuts , slow and fast motion , split - screen , intercut color and black and white , segment titles , and animation. Shown at 1998 film fests ( Venice , Montreal , Toronto ) .

The Farrelly Brothers set this romantic comedy in their home state of Rhode Island. In 1985 when teen-nerd Ted Stroehmann (Ben Stiller) challenges a high-schooler who's bullying retarded Warren Jenson (W. Earl Brown) his concern prompts Warren's sister the dazzling and desirable Mary Jenson (Cameron Diaz) to choose Ted as her senior prom date a fact Ted's pals find hard to believe. However on prom night Ted gets his penis caught in his zipper so the much-desired date never happens. Living in Providence and waxing nostalgic 13 years later Ted hires Pat Healy (Matt Dillon) to locate Mary and the creepy private investigator finds her in Miami where she lives with her tan-shriveled roommate Magda (Lin Shaye). After Pat develops a stalker-style fixation on the lovely unattached Mary he lies to Ted telling him that she's now an overweight mother confined to a wheelchair. Employing professional eavesdropping equipment Pat gathers a dossier on Mary's life and future plans information that forms the basis for more lies when Pat begins dating her. Sure enough Mary falls for Pat although her friend Tucker (Lee Evans) is very suspicious of Pat's claim to be a Harvard-educated architect. Meanwhile Ted learns the truth but continues to encounter offbeat obstacles as he accelerates to Miami in hopes of finding happiness with his true love. Former Modern Lovers singer Jonathan Richman vocalizes a narrative ballad of onscreen commentary in the Cat Ballou (1965) tradition. Most of the cast sings and frolics to Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations during the closing credits.

The Farrelly Brothers set this romantic comedy in their home state of Rhode Island. In 1985 , when teen - nerd Ted Stroehmann ( Ben Stiller ) challenges a high - schooler who's bullying retarded Warren Jenson ( W. Earl Brown ), his concern prompts Warren's sister , the dazzling and desirable Mary Jenson ( Cameron Diaz ) to choose Ted as her senior prom date , a fact Ted's pals find hard to believe. However , on prom night , Ted gets his penis caught in his zipper , so the much - desired date never happens. Living in Providence and waxing nostalgic 13 years later , Ted hires Pat Healy ( Matt Dillon ) to locate Mary , and the creepy private investigator finds her in Miami , where she lives with her tan - shriveled roommate Magda ( Lin Shaye ) . After Pat develops a stalker - style fixation on the lovely , unattached Mary , he lies to Ted , telling him that she's now an overweight mother confined to a wheelchair. Employing professional eavesdropping equipment , Pat gathers a dossier on Mary's life and future plans , information that forms the basis for more lies when Pat begins dating her. Sure enough , Mary falls for Pat , although her friend Tucker ( Lee Evans ) is very suspicious of Pat's claim to be a Harvard - educated architect. Meanwhile , Ted learns the truth but continues to encounter offbeat obstacles as he accelerates to Miami in hopes of finding happiness with his true love. Former Modern Lovers singer Jonathan Richman vocalizes a narrative ballad of onscreen commentary in the Cat Ballou ( 1965 ) tradition. Most of the cast sings and frolics to Build Me Up , Buttercup by The Foundations during the closing credits.

After a pair of films about hipster slackers the work of writer-director Kevin Smith matured and gained critical respect with this low budget independent comedy-drama about love sex and the fine line between the two. Ben Affleck stars as Holden McNeil a New Jersey comic book writer who is roommates with his best friend and professional partner artist Banky Edwards (Jason Lee). Their hit comic book series "Bluntman and Chronic" is loosely patterned after a pair of acquaintances Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (played by Smith) two characters already familiar as supporting players in several Smith films. Into Holden's life comes Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams) a lesbian and fellow comic book creator who quickly becomes a close friend although Holden is powerfully attracted to her. Eventually Alyssa realizes that she is attracted to Holden as well and they begin a physical relationship much to the consternation of Banky whose ire over losing his best friend to a lesbian seems to border on romantic jealousy. After he learns something about Alyssa's sexual past however Holden's immature response to his new knowledge destroys both his romance with Alyssa and his friendship with Banky. Chasing Amy (1997) was the third film in what Smith referred to as his "New Jersey series" films set at least partly in the Garden State and featuring the Jay and Silent Bob characters.

After a pair of films about hipster slackers , the work of writer - director Kevin Smith matured and gained critical respect with this low budget , independent comedy - drama about love , sex and the fine line between the two. Ben Affleck stars as Holden McNeil , a New Jersey comic book writer who is roommates with his best friend and professional partner , artist Banky Edwards ( Jason Lee ) . Their hit comic book series , "Bluntman and Chronic , " is loosely patterned after a pair of acquaintances , Jay ( Jason Mewes ) and Silent Bob ( played by Smith ), two characters already familiar as supporting players in several Smith films. Into Holden's life comes Alyssa Jones ( Joey Lauren Adams ), a lesbian and fellow comic book creator who quickly becomes a close friend , although Holden is powerfully attracted to her. Eventually , Alyssa realizes that she is attracted to Holden as well and they begin a physical relationship , much to the consternation of Banky , whose ire over losing his best friend to a lesbian seems to border on romantic jealousy. After he learns something about Alyssa's sexual past , however , Holden's immature response to his new knowledge destroys both his romance with Alyssa and his friendship with Banky. Chasing Amy ( 1997 ) was the third film in what Smith referred to as his "New Jersey series , " films set at least partly in the Garden State and featuring the Jay and Silent Bob characters.

The serpentine plotline of Luc Besson's La Femme Nikita begins its 117-minute slither when punkish psychotic and drug-ridden Nikita (Anne Parillaud) fires her gun into a cop's face following the stick-up of a drug store and is promptly imprisoned. She is thrown into a dank cell then injected with a substance and told it is a lethal toxin. Instead of dying however the comes to in an all-white interrogation room where French intelligence officer Bob (Tchéky Karyo) informs her that an alternate to execution exists: she can receive covert government training as an assassin. She accepts the bid is rigorously trained and later returns to society as a seemingly normal and gentle civilian but falls in love with a drugstore employee while she's waiting for that first government assignment. The paradoxical concept of a young woman blossoming socially while carrying out cold-blooded murders was downplayed when La Femme Nikita was remade in America as the silly and disappointing Point of No Return directed by John Badham with Bridget Fonda in the lead. A far less sociopathic TV-series version of La Femme Nikita surfaced on the USA cable network in early 1997.

The serpentine plotline of Luc Besson 's La Femme Nikita begins its 117 - minute slither when punkish , psychotic , and drug - ridden Nikita ( Anne Parillaud ) fires her gun into a cop's face following the stick - up of a drug store , and is promptly imprisoned. She is thrown into a dank cell , then injected with a substance and told it is a lethal toxin. Instead of dying , however , the comes to in an all - white interrogation room , where French intelligence officer Bob ( Tchéky Karyo ), informs her that an alternate to execution exists : she can receive covert government training as an assassin. She accepts the bid , is rigorously trained , and later returns to society as a seemingly normal and gentle civilian , but falls in love with a drugstore employee while she's waiting for that first government assignment. The paradoxical concept of a young woman blossoming socially while carrying out cold - blooded murders was downplayed when La Femme Nikita was remade in America as the silly and disappointing Point of No Return , directed by John Badham with Bridget Fonda in the lead. A far less sociopathic TV - series version of La Femme Nikita surfaced on the USA cable network in early 1997.

Self-involved corporate raider Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) has recently split up with his girlfriend. Seeking directions to the Beverly Hills Hotel he makes the acquaintance of free-spirited hooker Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) and decides to put her on a 3000-dollar retainer as his "date." He Cinderellarizes her by bankrolling a full wardrobe and cosmetic makeover. Of course the setup will be strictly platonic. A disarming modern-day fairy tale Pretty Woman was the picture that made Julia Roberts a superstar. As charming as she is in her "giggling" sequences Roberts' best scene is her triumphant return to a posh Rodeo Drive shop where she'd been previously snubbed. Keeping Pretty Woman afloat throughout is the buoyant direction of Garry Marshall and the always welcome presence of Marshall's stock company of actors including Hector Elizondo as a stuffy but golden-hearted concierge. Pretty Woman began its life as a much darker story of prostitutes and homicidal drug dealers but more box-office-savvy heads ultimately prevailed.

Self - involved corporate raider Edward Lewis ( Richard Gere ) has recently split up with his girlfriend. Seeking directions to the Beverly Hills Hotel , he makes the acquaintance of free - spirited hooker Vivian Ward ( Julia Roberts ) and decides to put her on a 3 , 000 - dollar retainer as his "date." He Cinderellarizes her by bankrolling a full wardrobe and cosmetic makeover. Of course , the setup will be strictly platonic. A disarming modern - day fairy tale , Pretty Woman was the picture that made Julia Roberts a superstar. As charming as she is in her "giggling" sequences , Roberts ' best scene is her triumphant return to a posh Rodeo Drive shop where she'd been previously snubbed. Keeping Pretty Woman afloat throughout is the buoyant direction of Garry Marshall and the always welcome presence of Marshall 's stock company of actors , including Hector Elizondo as a stuffy but golden - hearted concierge. Pretty Woman began its life as a much darker story of prostitutes and homicidal drug dealers , but more box - office - savvy heads ultimately prevailed.

This cold stylish erotic-thriller grossed over $100 million at the box-office despite vigorous protests at its depiction of gays and women. The shocking opening sequence features a graphic sexual encounter involving a rock-star bound with a white Hermes scarf by an unidentified blond woman. Despite the fact that the scene ends with a bloody icepick murder (horrifyingly realized by makeup artist Rob Bottin) Hermes scarves quickly sold out at stores nationwide. This seeming paradox is at the heart of the film's appeal as it mixes perverse sexuality and erotic bloodshed in a manner common to European thrillers (director Paul Verhoeven had done it himself in 1979's marvelous De Vierde Man) but mostly taboo in America. The plot concerns Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone) a successful bisexual mystery writer who may also be a ruthless murderer. Everyone close to Catherine dies and troubled policeman Nick Curran (Michael Douglas) must find out why. In the process Nick becomes sexually involved with both Catherine and police psychiatrist Beth Gardner (Jeanne Tripplehorn) while the bodies begin piling up and Catherine turns the cat-and-mouse game around on Nick. Verhoeven and screenwriter Joe Eszterhas -- who was paid $3 million for the script -- keep the tension ratcheted up throughout even during the frequent sex scenes which carry a violent edge reminiscent of the Italian thrillers of Dario Argento. The film's most notorious scene a police interrogation in which Catherine makes drooling idiots out of her captors by revealing that she is not wearing underwear became a cultural touchstone and was widely imitated and parodied. Sharon Stone meanwhile was embarrassed to the point that she claimed Verhoeven had aimed lights on strategic locations without her knowledge. George Dzundza and Dorothy Malone co-star.

This cold , stylish erotic - thriller grossed over $100 million at the box - office despite vigorous protests at its depiction of gays and women. The shocking opening sequence features a graphic sexual encounter involving a rock - star bound with a white Hermes scarf by an unidentified blond woman. Despite the fact that the scene ends with a bloody icepick murder ( horrifyingly realized by makeup artist Rob Bottin ), Hermes scarves quickly sold out at stores nationwide. This seeming paradox is at the heart of the film's appeal , as it mixes perverse sexuality and erotic bloodshed in a manner common to European thrillers ( director Paul Verhoeven had done it himself in 1979's marvelous De Vierde Man ) but mostly taboo in America. The plot concerns Catherine Tramell ( Sharon Stone ), a successful bisexual mystery writer who may also be a ruthless murderer. Everyone close to Catherine dies , and troubled policeman Nick Curran ( Michael Douglas ) must find out why. In the process , Nick becomes sexually involved with both Catherine and police psychiatrist Beth Gardner ( Jeanne Tripplehorn ), while the bodies begin piling up and Catherine turns the cat - and - mouse game around on Nick. Verhoeven and screenwriter Joe Eszterhas -- who was paid $3 million for the script -- keep the tension ratcheted up throughout , even during the frequent sex scenes , which carry a violent edge reminiscent of the Italian thrillers of Dario Argento . The film's most notorious scene , a police interrogation in which Catherine makes drooling idiots out of her captors by revealing that she is not wearing underwear , became a cultural touchstone and was widely imitated and parodied. Sharon Stone , meanwhile , was embarrassed to the point that she claimed Verhoeven had aimed lights on strategic locations without her knowledge. George Dzundza and Dorothy Malone co - star.

Sleepless in Seattle the sophomore directorial effort from Nora Ephron is a light romantic comedy inspired by the 1957 film An Affair to Remember. Tom Hanks stars as widower and single father Sam. When Sam's son Jonah (Ross Malinger) calls into a talk radio program looking for a new mother Sam ends up getting on the phone and laments about his lost love. Thousands of miles away Annie (Meg Ryan) hears the program and immediately falls in love with Sam despite the fact that she has never met him and that she is engaged to humdrum Walter (Bill Pullman). Believing they are meant to be together Annie sets out for Seattle to meet Sam who meanwhile contends with an onslaught of letters from available women equally touched by his phone call. Rosie O'Donnell Rita Wilson and Rob Reiner also star.

Sleepless in Seattle , the sophomore directorial effort from Nora Ephron , is a light romantic comedy inspired by the 1957 film An Affair to Remember . Tom Hanks stars as widower and single father Sam. When Sam's son , Jonah ( Ross Malinger ), calls into a talk radio program looking for a new mother , Sam ends up getting on the phone and laments about his lost love. Thousands of miles away , Annie ( Meg Ryan ) hears the program and immediately falls in love with Sam , despite the fact that she has never met him and that she is engaged to humdrum Walter ( Bill Pullman ) . Believing they are meant to be together , Annie sets out for Seattle to meet Sam , who , meanwhile , contends with an onslaught of letters from available women equally touched by his phone call. Rosie O'Donnell , Rita Wilson , and Rob Reiner also star.

This is an emotionally gripping fictional look at a couple torn apart by the infamous Argentine campaign of killings and torture that sent thousands of accused terrorists to unmarked graves in the mid-and late-'70s. Alicia (Norma Aleandro) and Roberto (Hector Alterio) adopted a little girl (Analia Castro) during this period of governmental terror in Argentina. Alicia has always wondered about the parents of their little girl a topic her husband has forced her into forgetting as a condition of the adoption -- he alone knows the full story. Thanks to censorship Alicia -- like others -- is not fully aware of how much killing has gone on until her students at school start complaining that their textbook histories were written by murderers. Add to this a long conversation with a friend who had been in exile after she was tortured by the government and Alicia starts to do some serious political and personal research on her own. The results reveal the identity of the little girl's dead parents and reveal that Alicia's husband has had a nasty hand in the government repression and dirty dealings with foreign businesses. She also learns the identity of the girl's grandmother. Her next decision will determine what to do with this information.

This is an emotionally gripping , fictional look at a couple torn apart by the infamous Argentine campaign of killings and torture that sent thousands of accused terrorists to unmarked graves in the mid - and late - '70s. Alicia ( Norma Aleandro ) and Roberto ( Hector Alterio ) adopted a little girl ( Analia Castro ) during this period of governmental terror in Argentina. Alicia has always wondered about the parents of their little girl , a topic her husband has forced her into forgetting as a condition of the adoption -- he alone knows the full story. Thanks to censorship , Alicia -- like others -- is not fully aware of how much killing has gone on until her students at school start complaining that their textbook histories were written by murderers. Add to this a long conversation with a friend who had been in exile after she was tortured by the government , and Alicia starts to do some serious political and personal research on her own. The results reveal the identity of the little girl's dead parents and reveal that Alicia's husband has had a nasty hand in the government repression and dirty dealings with foreign businesses. She also learns the identity of the girl's grandmother. Her next decision will determine what to do with this information.

This Argentine film freshens up an old cinematic device: juxtaposing science fiction and religion. A Buenos Aires mental hospital is thrown into an uproar when a mysterious male patient appears out of nowhere. As the psychiatrists grill the stranger he sticks to a story that suggests that his origins are far from earthly. In fact if his seemingly supernatural powers are any proof he may well be a space alien. Unable to comprehend the incomprehensible the authorities decide to lock the visitor away from public view maybe even put an end to his life--and the analogies to Christ and Christianity are lost on no one.

This Argentine film freshens up an old cinematic device : juxtaposing science fiction and religion. A Buenos Aires mental hospital is thrown into an uproar when a mysterious male patient appears out of nowhere. As the psychiatrists grill the stranger , he sticks to a story that suggests that his origins are far from earthly. In fact , if his seemingly supernatural powers are any proof , he may well be a space alien. Unable to comprehend the incomprehensible , the authorities decide to lock the visitor away from public view , maybe even put an end to his life -- and the analogies to Christ and Christianity are lost on no one.

Combining fiction and documentary 66-year-old Carlos Saura directed this Spanish-Argentine dance drama with masterful camerawork by acclaimed cinematographer Vittorio Storaro. After his wife (Cecilia Narova) leaves him Argentine film director Mario Suarez (Miguel Angel Sola) moves to a Buenos Aires suburb and begins work on a film about the tango with meticulous care. At a cabaret he encounters gangster Angelo Larroca (Juan Luis Galiardo) lover of aspiring dancer Elena Flores (Mia Maestro). Larroca asks Mario to audition Elena but problems arise when Mario takes a romantic interest in her. Promoted as the most expensive Argentine film ever made this production employed theatrical lighting and several cameras shooting simultaneously on a specially constructed set in Buenos Aires. Tango classics alternate with Lalo Schifrin's score. Famed tango dancers appear onscreen in dark dances depicting passions sorrows and the past history of Argentina including a war ballet as Saura noted "We needed a scene that would be brutal and a ballet that would be violent and aggressive which we don't often see in musicals. It frightened me. There was a great deal of tension on the set because some of the dancers had loved ones who had suffered during those years and the ballet re-creates the terrible feeling of the period." Shown out of competition at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.

Combining fiction and documentary , 66 - year - old Carlos Saura directed this Spanish - Argentine dance drama with masterful camerawork by acclaimed cinematographer Vittorio Storaro . After his wife ( Cecilia Narova ) leaves him , Argentine film director Mario Suarez ( Miguel Angel Sola ), moves to a Buenos Aires suburb , and begins work on a film about the tango with meticulous care. At a cabaret , he encounters gangster Angelo Larroca ( Juan Luis Galiardo ), lover of aspiring dancer Elena Flores ( Mia Maestro ) . Larroca asks Mario to audition Elena , but problems arise when Mario takes a romantic interest in her. Promoted as the most expensive Argentine film ever made , this production employed theatrical lighting and several cameras shooting simultaneously on a specially constructed set in Buenos Aires. Tango classics alternate with Lalo Schifrin 's score. Famed tango dancers appear onscreen in dark dances depicting passions , sorrows , and the past history of Argentina , including a war ballet , as Saura noted , "We needed a scene that would be brutal , and a ballet that would be violent and aggressive , which we don't often see in musicals. It frightened me. There was a great deal of tension on the set because some of the dancers had loved ones who had suffered during those years , and the ballet re - creates the terrible feeling of the period." Shown out of competition at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.

Sister Juana (Assumpta Serna) is a gentle poet and a none-too-pious nun living in seventeenth-century Mexico. She is protected by the Governor and his wife from a ferociously misogynistic Archbishop who some believe is using his hatred of women to hide from his very powerful lust for them. Indeed it is possible that he is the actual father of Sister Juana. Regardless of that her life becomes extremely grim when her loving patrons return to Spain leaving her to the not-so-tender mercies of this harsh man. This difficult story is based on a novel by the award-winning poet and writer Octavio Paz.

Sister Juana ( Assumpta Serna ) is a gentle poet and a none - too - pious nun , living in seventeenth - century Mexico. She is protected by the Governor and his wife from a ferociously misogynistic Archbishop , who some believe is using his hatred of women to hide from his very powerful lust for them. Indeed , it is possible that he is the actual father of Sister Juana. Regardless of that , her life becomes extremely grim when her loving patrons return to Spain , leaving her to the not - so - tender mercies of this harsh man. This difficult story is based on a novel by the award - winning poet and writer Octavio Paz.

Chili-born Italian director Marco Bechis's second feature is a political drama based on his experiences with the military regime of Argentina (1976-1980) when he lived there. Maria (Antonella Costa) is a militant activist in an organization that is fighting the oppressive dictatorship. She teaches reading and writing in the suburbs of Buenos Aires in an area of shantytowns. She lives in a decrepit rooming house with her mother Diane (Dominique Sanda) who rents out some rooms. One of the lodgers a shy young man named Felix (Carlos Echeverria) is in love with Maria. He seems to have come from nowhere and is supposed to be working in a garage. One morning Maria is kidnapped by a military squad in civilian clothes in front of her mother and is taken to the garage 'Olimpo' one of the many well-known torture places in the city which operate to the general indifference of the inhabitants. Tigre the head of the center (Enrique Pineyro) appoints their best man -- Felix -- to the job of making Maria talk. Felix is overcome by his feelings for Maria but Maria is determined to exploit the situation for her survival. Tender love scenes between Maria and Felix enhance the story but the intensity never reaches the heights of some of the classics of the world cinema with a similar theme such as The Night Porter. Bechis exerts too much control over his characters and narrative to allow an emotional rupture. 52nd Cannes Film Festival 1999.

Chili - born Italian director Marco Bechis 's second feature is a political drama based on his experiences with the military regime of Argentina ( 1976 - 1980 ) when he lived there. Maria ( Antonella Costa ) is a militant activist in an organization that is fighting the oppressive dictatorship. She teaches reading and writing in the suburbs of Buenos Aires in an area of shantytowns. She lives in a decrepit rooming house with her mother Diane ( Dominique Sanda ), who rents out some rooms. One of the lodgers , a shy young man named Felix ( Carlos Echeverria ), is in love with Maria. He seems to have come from nowhere and is supposed to be working in a garage. One morning , Maria is kidnapped by a military squad in civilian clothes in front of her mother and is taken to the garage 'Olimpo , ' one of the many well - known torture places in the city , which operate to the general indifference of the inhabitants. Tigre , the head of the center ( Enrique Pineyro ) appoints their best man -- Felix -- to the job of making Maria talk. Felix is overcome by his feelings for Maria , but Maria is determined to exploit the situation for her survival. Tender love scenes between Maria and Felix enhance the story , but the intensity never reaches the heights of some of the classics of the world cinema with a similar theme , such as The Night Porter . Bechis exerts too much control over his characters and narrative to allow an emotional rupture. 52nd Cannes Film Festival , 1999.

The true story of a gifted Australian piano prodigy this biographical drama was nominated for seven Oscars with actor Geoffrey Rush winning for Best Actor. Rush stars as David Helfgott a pianist with a history of mental problems. As a fragile boy genius at math chess and piano David is driven hard by his overbearing father (Armin Mueller-Stahl) a tyrant who forbids him to accept a scholarship offered by the great violinist Isaac Stern. Although he studies briefly in London under tutor Cecil Parks (John Gielgud) David has a nervous breakdown after performing Rachmaninoff's daunting "Piano Concerto No. 3" (known as the "Rach 3"). Years later the adult David keeps up a steady patter of nervous stammering at all times and has been reduced to playing in a bar. Through a friend he meets astrologer Gillian (Lynn Redgrave) and falls in love with her. With Gillian's help David embarks down the road to regained fame and mastery of the "Rach 3." The international popularity of Shine caused a sensation leading to a musical tour for Helfgott whose performances were less adroit than many audiences expected sparking criticism that writer-director Scott Hicks had exaggerated his subject's talent for dramatic purposes.

The true story of a gifted Australian piano prodigy , this biographical drama was nominated for seven Oscars , with actor Geoffrey Rush winning for Best Actor. Rush stars as David Helfgott , a pianist with a history of mental problems. As a fragile boy genius at math , chess , and piano , David is driven hard by his overbearing father ( Armin Mueller - Stahl ), a tyrant who forbids him to accept a scholarship offered by the great violinist Isaac Stern . Although he studies briefly in London under tutor Cecil Parks ( John Gielgud ), David has a nervous breakdown after performing Rachmaninoff's daunting "Piano Concerto No. 3" ( known as the "Rach 3" ) . Years later , the adult David keeps up a steady patter of nervous stammering at all times and has been reduced to playing in a bar. Through a friend , he meets astrologer Gillian ( Lynn Redgrave ), and falls in love with her. With Gillian's help , David embarks down the road to regained fame and mastery of the "Rach 3." The international popularity of Shine caused a sensation leading to a musical tour for Helfgott , whose performances were less adroit than many audiences expected , sparking criticism that writer - director Scott Hicks had exaggerated his subject's talent for dramatic purposes.

New Zealand poet Janet Frame is the subject of Jane Campion's biographical drama which presents a poetically evocative look at the authoress' turbulent life. The film begins with a look at Frame's childhood showing her as a bright but odd-looking emotionally fragile young girl with a knack for writing. Frame faces great difficulty in adapting to the conventional rural life around her and her social awkwardness only worsens as she grows older. After she fails in her attempt to become a schoolteacher due to an intense panic attack she is subject to a psychiatric evaluation and shamefully misdiagnosed as a schizophrenic. Frame is subsequently committed to a mental institution where she suffers years of unnecessary shock treatments and other horrors. Her salvation comes through her writings however which attract the attention of a renowned author who arranges her release. While the nightmare of Frame's institutionalization is presented with great sensitivity and power Campion and screenwriter Laura Jones to their credit refuse to simplify her story to this one pivotal event. Instead they pay equal attention to Frame's subsequent life as she slowly adjusts life in the outside world experiencing literary success and her first romance. Expressive visuals add immeasurably to the total effect while Kerry Fox's superb performance creates a truly affecting portrait of Frame. Impressively the film was originally made as a mini-series for New Zealand television and slightly reedited for a later theatrical release.

New Zealand poet Janet Frame is the subject of Jane Campion 's biographical drama , which presents a poetically evocative look at the authoress' turbulent life. The film begins with a look at Frame's childhood , showing her as a bright but odd - looking , emotionally fragile young girl with a knack for writing. Frame faces great difficulty in adapting to the conventional rural life around her , and her social awkwardness only worsens as she grows older. After she fails in her attempt to become a schoolteacher due to an intense panic attack , she is subject to a psychiatric evaluation and shamefully misdiagnosed as a schizophrenic. Frame is subsequently committed to a mental institution , where she suffers years of unnecessary shock treatments and other horrors. Her salvation comes through her writings , however , which attract the attention of a renowned author who arranges her release. While the nightmare of Frame's institutionalization is presented with great sensitivity and power , Campion and screenwriter Laura Jones , to their credit , refuse to simplify her story to this one pivotal event. Instead , they pay equal attention to Frame's subsequent life , as she slowly adjusts life in the outside world , experiencing literary success and her first romance. Expressive visuals add immeasurably to the total effect , while Kerry Fox 's superb performance creates a truly affecting portrait of Frame. Impressively , the film was originally made as a mini - series for New Zealand television , and slightly reedited for a later theatrical release.

ased on a novel by Thomas Keneally which was in turn inspired by actual events this drama is a shocking indictment of the racism inflicted on the indigenous people of Australia. Jimmie (Tommy Lewis) is a half-white half-aborigine young man raised by a Methodist minister. Feeling outcast among the aborigines Jimmie moves to the city and gets a job working for a white family. When a white serving girl at the estate becomes pregnant everyone is convinced that Jimmie is the father; to spare the girl's honor Jimmie marries her and is allowed to live with her on the estate. But after the child is born everyone realizes that the father was a white man not Jimmie; he is still willing to accept the child and stand beside his wife but his employers now feel that he married a white girl under false pretenses and they bar him from the estate. Forbidden to see his wife and fired without receiving his pay Jimmie finally explodes in a fury of violent revenge. Director Fred Schepisi's original cut of this film runs 122 minutes though it was more widely distributed in a shortened version running 108 minutes.

Based on a novel by Thomas Keneally , which was in turn inspired by actual events , this drama is a shocking indictment of the racism inflicted on the indigenous people of Australia. Jimmie ( Tommy Lewis ) is a half - white , half - aborigine young man raised by a Methodist minister. Feeling outcast among the aborigines , Jimmie moves to the city and gets a job working for a white family. When a white serving girl at the estate becomes pregnant , everyone is convinced that Jimmie is the father ; to spare the girl's honor , Jimmie marries her and is allowed to live with her on the estate. But after the child is born , everyone realizes that the father was a white man , not Jimmie ; he is still willing to accept the child and stand beside his wife , but his employers now feel that he married a white girl under false pretenses , and they bar him from the estate. Forbidden to see his wife and fired without receiving his pay , Jimmie finally explodes in a fury of violent revenge. Director Fred Schepisi 's original cut of this film runs 122 minutes , though it was more widely distributed in a shortened version running 108 minutes.

Mel Gibson stars in this period political thriller directed by Peter Weir. Set in Indonesia during the 1965 coup against President Sukarno the film stars Gibson as Guy Hamilton an Australian wire-service reporter covering the scene. Whenever Hamilton becomes too glib or indifferent for his own good he is brought back to earth by his "conscience" photographer Billy Kwan (played in male drag by diminutive actress Linda Hunt who won an Academy Award for her performance). As all of Jakarta sinks into disarray Hamilton pursues a romance with British attaché Jill Bryant (Sigourney Weaver). Filmed on location in the Philippines and Australia the film was financed by MGM in the first such American-Australian financial collaboration.

Mel Gibson stars in this period political thriller directed by Peter Weir . Set in Indonesia during the 1965 coup against President Sukarno , the film stars Gibson as Guy Hamilton , an Australian wire - service reporter covering the scene. Whenever Hamilton becomes too glib or indifferent for his own good , he is brought back to earth by his "conscience , " photographer Billy Kwan ( played in male drag by diminutive actress Linda Hunt , who won an Academy Award for her performance ) . As all of Jakarta sinks into disarray , Hamilton pursues a romance with British attaché Jill Bryant ( Sigourney Weaver ) . Filmed on location in the Philippines and Australia , the film was financed by MGM , in the first such American - Australian financial collaboration.

Australian director Paul Cox skilled at intense psychological stories about lone souls looking for comfort in a cold world was at his best with this original script co-written by the director and Barry Dickins. Martha is a 78-year-old woman living out her final days. Not a maudlin tale of a lonely woman wasting away A Woman's Tale focuses on a human who manages to maintain an amazing vitality in the face of death. She encourages her young nurse Anna (Gosia Doborowolska) to use her flat for romantic trysts; she looks in on Billy (Norman Kayes) an elderly neighbor and she resists attempts by her son Johanathan (hris Haywood) to place her in a nursing home. Sheila Florance's performance as Martha is a marvel especially given the art-imitates-life aspect of production: Florance was terminally ill and she died soon after she was nominated for the Best Actress Award for Australia's Academy Awards.

Australian director Paul Cox , skilled at intense psychological stories about lone souls looking for comfort in a cold world , was at his best with this original script co - written by the director and Barry Dickins . Martha is a 78 - year - old woman living out her final days. Not a maudlin tale of a lonely woman wasting away , A Woman's Tale focuses on a human who manages to maintain an amazing vitality in the face of death. She encourages her young nurse , Anna ( Gosia Doborowolska ), to use her flat for romantic trysts ; she looks in on Billy ( Norman Kayes ), an elderly neighbor , and she resists attempts by her son Johanathan ( hris Haywood ) to place her in a nursing home. Sheila Florance 's performance as Martha is a marvel , especially given the art - imitates - life aspect of production : Florance was terminally ill , and she died soon after she was nominated for the Best Actress Award for Australia's Academy Awards.

ased on a novel by Colleen McCullough (The Thorn Birds) this "May-December romance" stars Piper Laurie as Mary Horton a lonely middle-aged American career woman who hires a handsome mildly retarded young handyman named Tim (played by 22-year-old Mel Gibson in his third screen role). At first keeping her distance Mary is drawn closer to Tim as the days pass. When Tim's mother dies Mary becomes his surrogate mother a relationship that deepens into romantic love. Tim's older sister Dawn (Deborah Kennedy) resents Mary's "intrusion" into their lives but Tim's dad Ron (Alwyn Kurts) blesses the relationship realizing that it is beneficial to both parties. Director Michael Pate avoids all opportunities to cheapen or sensationalize the material; while Tim and Mary do end up in bed it is a sweet moment not a prurient one. Tim was produced for Australian television.

Based on a novel by Colleen McCullough ( The Thorn Birds ), this "May - December romance" stars Piper Laurie as Mary Horton , a lonely middle - aged American career woman who hires a handsome , mildly retarded young handyman named Tim ( played by 22 - year - old Mel Gibson in his third screen role ) . At first keeping her distance , Mary is drawn closer to Tim as the days pass. When Tim's mother dies , Mary becomes his surrogate mother , a relationship that deepens into romantic love. Tim's older sister Dawn ( Deborah Kennedy ) resents Mary's "intrusion" into their lives , but Tim's dad Ron ( Alwyn Kurts ) blesses the relationship , realizing that it is beneficial to both parties. Director Michael Pate avoids all opportunities to cheapen or sensationalize the material ; while Tim and Mary do end up in bed , it is a sweet moment , not a prurient one. Tim was produced for Australian television.

New Zealand-born filmmaker Jane Campion directs the darkly humorous family drama Sweetie. Thin and mousy Kay (Karen Colson) works in a factory and lives a dreary existence with her well-meaning boyfriend Louis (Tom Lycos). One day her sister Dawn (Genevieve Lemon) arrives with her so-called manager Bob (Michael Lake). Nicknamed Sweetie Dawn is everything Kay is not: boisterous impulsive and overweight. Kay is consumed with uptight phobias while Dawn hangs on to her unrealistic childhood dreams of show business. Meanwhile their parents Gordon (Jon Darling) and Flo (Dorothy Barry) are involved in a strange separation. Kay Louis and Gordon trick Dawn so they can visit Flo at a ranch in the Australian outback. Everyone gets together back at the family home where Dawn pulls an immature stunt exposing the psychological realities of the situation.

New Zealand - born filmmaker Jane Campion directs the darkly humorous family drama Sweetie . Thin and mousy Kay ( Karen Colson ) works in a factory and lives a dreary existence with her well - meaning boyfriend , Louis ( Tom Lycos ) . One day , her sister Dawn ( Genevieve Lemon ) arrives with her so - called manager , Bob ( Michael Lake ) . Nicknamed Sweetie , Dawn is everything Kay is not : boisterous , impulsive , and overweight. Kay is consumed with uptight phobias , while Dawn hangs on to her unrealistic childhood dreams of show business. Meanwhile , their parents , Gordon ( Jon Darling ) and Flo ( Dorothy Barry ), are involved in a strange separation. Kay , Louis , and Gordon trick Dawn so they can visit Flo at a ranch in the Australian outback. Everyone gets together back at the family home where Dawn pulls an immature stunt , exposing the psychological realities of the situation.

Jocelyn Moorhouse's feature-film debut is a jet-black comedy starring Hugo Weaving as Martin a paranoid blind man made so because he is convinced that his mother when he was a child lied to him about the sights she described to him. As an adult Martin is reclusive and ill-tempered. Perversely Martin is also a photographer -- he takes the pictures has them developed asks friends to describe the pictures to him and then labels them in Braille to make sure no one is tricking him. His housekeeper Celia (Genevieve Picot) is also a photographer. Obsessed with Martin she papers the walls of her home with pictures of him. But this obsession doesn't carry through to their relationship which is a far from cordial one -- Celia torments Martin and Martin humiliates her. One day at a restaurant after a nasty confrontation with a waitress who ignores him Martin makes friends with the dishwasher Andy (Russell Crowe). Martin invites him home to describe his photographs to him. Back at Martin's home Andy meets Celia and he immediately falls in love with her. Jealous of Andy Celia seduces him in an effort to discredit Andy with Martin and drive Martin into her arms.

Jocelyn Moorhouse 's feature - film debut is a jet - black comedy starring Hugo Weaving as Martin , a paranoid blind man , made so because he is convinced that his mother , when he was a child , lied to him about the sights she described to him. As an adult , Martin is reclusive and ill - tempered. Perversely , Martin is also a photographer -- he takes the pictures , has them developed , asks friends to describe the pictures to him , and then labels them in Braille to make sure no one is tricking him. His housekeeper , Celia ( Genevieve Picot ), is also a photographer. Obsessed with Martin , she papers the walls of her home with pictures of him. But this obsession doesn't carry through to their relationship , which is a far from cordial one -- Celia torments Martin and Martin humiliates her. One day at a restaurant , after a nasty confrontation with a waitress who ignores him , Martin makes friends with the dishwasher , Andy ( Russell Crowe ) . Martin invites him home to describe his photographs to him. Back at Martin's home , Andy meets Celia and he immediately falls in love with her. Jealous of Andy , Celia seduces him in an effort to discredit Andy with Martin and drive Martin into her arms.

oth actress Judy Davis and director Gillian Armstrong made a big splash on the international scene with this charming Australian film that examines late 19th century Australian society from the perspective of a headstrong woman who refuses to follow convention. The film charts the developing self-awareness of Sybylla Melvyn (Judy Davis) as she grows from an insecure tomboy to a self-assured woman. Sybylla wants to be a writer and stuns her family and friends by her insistence on following her dream. Despite the objections of her family acquaintances she rejects the marriage proposal from the rich Harry Beecham (Sam Neill) to continue going her own way in spite of the odds stacked against her in a repressive Victorian environment.

Both actress Judy Davis and director Gillian Armstrong made a big splash on the international scene with this charming Australian film that examines late 19th century Australian society from the perspective of a headstrong woman who refuses to follow convention. The film charts the developing self - awareness of Sybylla Melvyn ( Judy Davis ) as she grows from an insecure tomboy to a self - assured woman. Sybylla wants to be a writer and stuns her family and friends by her insistence on following her dream. Despite the objections of her family acquaintances , she rejects the marriage proposal from the rich Harry Beecham ( Sam Neill ) to continue going her own way , in spite of the odds stacked against her in a repressive Victorian environment.

A white Inuit boy named Avik is the focus of New Zealand director Vincent Ward's meditation on race and romance. In the opening moments of the movie set in 1931 in the Arctic-Canadian settlement Nunataaq Avik (portrayed initially by Robert Joamie) lives under the watchful eye of his grandmother (Jayko Pitseolak). While tagging along after British cartographer Walter Russell (Patrick Bergin) Avik falls prey to the "white man's disease"--tuberculosis; to assuage his own guilt Russell takes the boy to a Montreal clinic to recover. There Avik meets Albertine a mixed-blood Indian girl and the two fall in love but their relationship is quickly broken up by the Mother Superior who is in charge of the clinic. Years later Avik again meets Russell who this time is on a mission to recover the German U-boat lying wrecked off the coast of Nunataaq. Avik asks for Russell's help in learning the whereabouts of Albertine and he gives the cartographer a chest X-ray of the girl which he has carried with him since their separation. More time elapses and Avik (now played by Jason Scott Lee) has become a British bombardier fighting in World War II. He is sought out by Albertine (Anne Parillaud) who has become Russell's mistress. Still she begins an affair with Avik; Russell soon finds out and as revenge sends Avik and his crew on a suicide mission of which Avik is the lone survivor. Despondent over his war experiences Avik flees to Canada where he becomes an alcoholic; decades later he is sought out by Rainee (Clotilde Courau) the daughter born from his affair with Albertine. On his way to the girl's wedding Avik is killed in an accident; his body washes up on the beach at Nunataaq a wedding gift still clutched in his arms.

A white , Inuit boy named Avik is the focus of New Zealand director Vincent Ward's meditation on race and romance. In the opening moments of the movie , set in 1931 in the Arctic - Canadian settlement Nunataaq , Avik ( portrayed initially by Robert Joamie ) lives under the watchful eye of his grandmother ( Jayko Pitseolak ) . While tagging along after British cartographer Walter Russell ( Patrick Bergin ), Avik falls prey to the "white man's disease , " -- tuberculosis ; to assuage his own guilt , Russell takes the boy to a Montreal clinic to recover. There , Avik meets Albertine , a mixed - blood Indian girl , and the two fall in love , but their relationship is quickly broken up by the Mother Superior who is in charge of the clinic. Years later , Avik again meets Russell , who this time is on a mission to recover the German U - boat lying wrecked off the coast of Nunataaq. Avik asks for Russell's help in learning the whereabouts of Albertine , and he gives the cartographer a chest X - ray of the girl which he has carried with him since their separation. More time elapses , and Avik ( now played by Jason Scott Lee ) has become a British bombardier fighting in World War II. He is sought out by Albertine ( Anne Parillaud ), who has become Russell's mistress. Still , she begins an affair with Avik ; Russell soon finds out , and as revenge sends Avik and his crew on a suicide mission of which Avik is the lone survivor. Despondent over his war experiences , Avik flees to Canada , where he becomes an alcoholic ; decades later , he is sought out by Rainee ( Clotilde Courau ), the daughter born from his affair with Albertine. On his way to the girl's wedding , Avik is killed in an accident ; his body washes up on the beach at Nunataaq , a wedding gift still clutched in his arms.

Inspired by an epic poem by A.B. \"Banjo\" Patterson The Man From Snowy River was a major step forward for the regenerated Australian film industry of the early '80s. This "down-under Western" spotlights Tom Burlinson as Jim Craig a headstrong young man who goes to work for a powerful cattle baron. Burlinson falls in love with Jessica (Sigrid Thornton) his boss' daughter and becomes enmeshed in a bitter land feud. Kirk Douglas has a high old time in the dual role of hard-hearted landowner Harrison and grizzled one-legged old prospector Spur. Previously filmed in 1920 The Man From Snowy River was directed by the other George Miller not the director of the same name who helmed Mad Max (1979). A monumental moneymaker the film inspired a 1988 sequel confusingly titled Return to Snowy River Part II.

Inspired by an epic poem by A.B. \ "Banjo \ " Patterson , The Man From Snowy River was a major step forward for the regenerated Australian film industry of the early '80s. This "down - under Western" spotlights Tom Burlinson as Jim Craig , a headstrong young man who goes to work for a powerful cattle baron. Burlinson falls in love with Jessica ( Sigrid Thornton ), his boss' daughter , and becomes enmeshed in a bitter land feud. Kirk Douglas has a high old time in the dual role of hard - hearted landowner Harrison and grizzled , one - legged old prospector Spur. Previously filmed in 1920 , The Man From Snowy River was directed by the other George Miller , not the director of the same name who helmed Mad Max ( 1979 ) . A monumental moneymaker , the film inspired a 1988 sequel , confusingly titled Return to Snowy River , Part II .

This stunning post-apocalyptic action thriller from director George Miller stars Mel Gibson as Max Rockatansky a policeman in the near future who is tired of his job. Since the apocalypse the lengthy desolate stretches of highway in the Australian outback have become bloodstained battlegrounds. Max has seen too many innocents and fellow officers murdered by the bomb's savage offspring bestial marauding bikers for whom killing rape and looting is a way of life. He just wants to retire and spend time with his wife and son but lets his boss talk him into taking a peaceful vacation and he starts to reconsider. Then his world is shattered as a gang led by the evil Toecutter (Hugh Keays-Byrne) murders his family in retaliation for the death of one of its members. Dead inside Max straps on his helmet and climbs into a souped-up V8 racing machine to seek his bloody revenge. Despite an obviously low budget and a plot reminiscent of many spaghetti Westerns Mad Max is tremendously exciting thanks to some of the most spectacular road stunts ever put on film. Cinematographer David Eggby and stunt coordinator Grant Page did some of their best work under Miller's direction and crafted a gritty gripping thrill ride which spawned two sequels numerous imitations and made Mel Gibson an international star. One sequence in which a man is chained to a car and must cut off a limb before the machine explodes is one of the most tense scenes of the decade. The American version dubbed all the voices -- including Gibson's -- in a particularly cartoonish manner. Trivia buffs should note that Max's car is a 1973 Ford Falcon GT Coupe with a 300 bhp 351C V8 engine customized with the front end of a Ford Fairmont and other modifications.

This stunning , post - apocalyptic action thriller from director George Miller stars Mel Gibson as Max Rockatansky , a policeman in the near future who is tired of his job. Since the apocalypse , the lengthy , desolate stretches of highway in the Australian outback have become bloodstained battlegrounds. Max has seen too many innocents and fellow officers murdered by the bomb's savage offspring , bestial marauding bikers for whom killing , rape , and looting is a way of life. He just wants to retire and spend time with his wife and son but lets his boss talk him into taking a peaceful vacation and he starts to reconsider. Then his world is shattered as a gang led by the evil Toecutter ( Hugh Keays - Byrne ) murders his family in retaliation for the death of one of its members. Dead inside , Max straps on his helmet and climbs into a souped - up V8 racing machine to seek his bloody revenge. Despite an obviously low budget and a plot reminiscent of many spaghetti Westerns , Mad Max is tremendously exciting , thanks to some of the most spectacular road stunts ever put on film. Cinematographer David Eggby and stunt coordinator Grant Page did some of their best work under Miller 's direction and crafted a gritty , gripping thrill ride which spawned two sequels , numerous imitations , and made Mel Gibson an international star. One sequence , in which a man is chained to a car and must cut off a limb before the machine explodes is one of the most tense scenes of the decade. The American version dubbed all the voices -- including Gibson 's -- in a particularly cartoonish manner. Trivia buffs should note that Max's car is a 1973 Ford Falcon GT Coupe with a 300 bhp 351C V8 engine , customized with the front end of a Ford Fairmont and other modifications.

Australian filmmaker John Duigan followed up his captivating The Year My Voice Broke with Flirting. Noah Taylor repeats his "Danny" characterization from the earlier film while Thandie Newton plays a Ugandan exchange student who attends an Australian girls boarding school. Billeted at a nearby boy's school Danny finds himself falling in love with Newton though he is frequently at a loss as to how to express himself. Flirting is the second in a proposed trilogy of John Duigan-directed films revolving around Danny's "awkward" years. Featured in the cast as one of Newton's schoolmates is Nicole Kidman.

Australian filmmaker John Duigan followed up his captivating The Year My Voice Broke with Flirting . Noah Taylor repeats his "Danny" characterization from the earlier film , while Thandie Newton plays a Ugandan exchange student who attends an Australian girls boarding school. Billeted at a nearby boy's school , Danny finds himself falling in love with Newton , though he is frequently at a loss as to how to express himself. Flirting is the second in a proposed trilogy of John Duigan - directed films revolving around Danny's "awkward" years. Featured in the cast as one of Newton 's schoolmates is Nicole Kidman .

Grieving over the death of their son a married couple decide to take a long yachting trip for relaxation's sake. Their journey takes a dark turn however when they rescue a young man from a drifting vessel. The couple soon discover that the other ship's crew had been brutally murdered by their new passenger and find themselves in a battle of wits against this violent sociopath. Interestingly a previous attempt had been made at adapting the novel that inspired this film by none other than Orson Welles; footage from his unfinished version known as "The Deep" can be seen in the documentary Orson Welles: The One-Man Band.

Grieving over the death of their son , a married couple decide to take a long yachting trip for relaxation's sake. Their journey takes a dark turn , however , when they rescue a young man from a drifting vessel. The couple soon discover that the other ship's crew had been brutally murdered by their new passenger , and find themselves in a battle of wits against this violent sociopath. Interestingly , a previous attempt had been made at adapting the novel that inspired this film by none other than Orson Welles ; footage from his unfinished version , known as "The Deep , " can be seen in the documentary Orson Welles : The One - Man Band .

A barely recognizable Meryl Streep plays the real-life Lindy Chamberlain who for a long period in the early '80s was the most hated woman in Australia. While visiting the Ayers rock monument in the Outback with her husband Michael (Sam Neill) Lindy notices a dingo creeping into the tent where her baby lies sleeping. Seconds later the horrified woman discovers that her child is gone. Despite Lindy's anguished insistence that the dingo killed her baby the Australian public is of the opinion that Lindy herself is the murderer. This lynch-mob atmosphere is fueled by the press which insists upon crucifying the Chamberlains in print on a daily basis.

A barely recognizable Meryl Streep plays the real - life Lindy Chamberlain , who for a long period in the early '80s was the most hated woman in Australia. While visiting the Ayers rock monument in the Outback with her husband , Michael ( Sam Neill ), Lindy notices a dingo creeping into the tent where her baby lies sleeping. Seconds later , the horrified woman discovers that her child is gone. Despite Lindy's anguished insistence that the dingo killed her baby , the Australian public is of the opinion that Lindy herself is the murderer. This lynch - mob atmosphere is fueled by the press , which insists upon crucifying the Chamberlains in print on a daily basis.

Accustomed to a simple life in the Australian Outback a legendary crocodile hunter has trouble adjusting to his new surroundings when an American journalist brings him to New York City. This Australian comedy delivers exactly what one would expect: plenty of fish-out-of-water gags about the hunter's reactions to the absurdity of modern urban life. Though he initially seems rather naive Paul Hogan's "Crocodile" Dundee soon demonstrates that his natural ways are rather quite well-suited to city life proving himself equally adept at defeating muggers and charming members of high society. Along the way as one might expect a romance develops between the rugged hunter and the hardened journalist who finds herself enchanted by his down-to-earth behavior. The story is not particularly original but the film's good-natured humor proved extremely palatable to audiences as indicated by its worldwide box office success.

Accustomed to a simple life in the Australian Outback , a legendary crocodile hunter has trouble adjusting to his new surroundings when an American journalist brings him to New York City. This Australian comedy delivers exactly what one would expect : plenty of fish - out - of - water gags about the hunter's reactions to the absurdity of modern urban life. Though he initially seems rather naive , Paul Hogan 's "Crocodile" Dundee soon demonstrates that his natural ways are rather quite well - suited to city life , proving himself equally adept at defeating muggers and charming members of high society. Along the way , as one might expect , a romance develops between the rugged hunter and the hardened journalist , who finds herself enchanted by his down - to - earth behavior. The story is not particularly original , but the film's good - natured humor proved extremely palatable to audiences , as indicated by its worldwide box office success.

Set in Australia in the 1930s this drama stars Nicholas Gledhill as P.S. a six-year-old boy who lives with his Aunt Lila (Robyn Nevin) and Uncle George (Peter Whitford). P.S.'s mother died in childbirth so her sister Lila took him in and while George and Lila don't have a lot of money they've always done the best they can to give the boy a good home. One day Lila's other sister Vanessa (Wendy Hughes) arrives after spending several years touring the world; Vanessa is quite wealthy and upon her return to Australia she expresses an interest in taking custody of the child. Lila is willing to let Vanessa visit with P.S. and his rich aunt is able to turn his head with limousine rides and lavish gifts. But when Vanessa decides she wants the boy full time Lila decides to fight her in court. The case is complicated by the arrival of P.S.'s long-absent father Logan (John Hargreaves) an alcoholic who loves his son but is incapable of caring for him. Careful He Might Hear You won eight Australian Film Institute Awards including Best Picture Best Actress (Hughes) and Best Supporting Actor (Hargreaves).

Set in Australia in the 1930s , this drama stars Nicholas Gledhill as P.S. , a six - year - old boy who lives with his Aunt Lila ( Robyn Nevin ) and Uncle George ( Peter Whitford ) . P.S.'s mother died in childbirth , so her sister Lila took him in , and while George and Lila don't have a lot of money , they've always done the best they can to give the boy a good home. One day , Lila's other sister Vanessa ( Wendy Hughes ) arrives after spending several years touring the world ; Vanessa is quite wealthy , and upon her return to Australia , she expresses an interest in taking custody of the child. Lila is willing to let Vanessa visit with P.S. , and his rich aunt is able to turn his head with limousine rides and lavish gifts. But when Vanessa decides she wants the boy full time , Lila decides to fight her in court. The case is complicated by the arrival of P.S.'s long - absent father , Logan ( John Hargreaves ), an alcoholic who loves his son but is incapable of caring for him. Careful He Might Hear You won eight Australian Film Institute Awards , including Best Picture , Best Actress ( Hughes ), and Best Supporting Actor ( Hargreaves ) .

In this comedy as American astronauts prepare to make one giant leap for mankind a small Australian town stumbles through its own small steps to help. In the summer of 1969 Cliff Buxton (Sam Neill) leads a team of scientists overseeing the operations of one of the world's largest radio telescope dishes nestled in a New South Wales community of sheep farmers. As NASA prepares for Apollo 11 the first manned voyage to the moon Buxton and his crew are asked if they will allow their telescope's dish to be used as a backup receiver for the television transmission from the moon should the main receiver in California fail. Buxton and his men are more than happy to help and the village is agog as they gear up for their own small part in one of the world's greatest adventures. Mayor McIntyre (Roy Billing) and his wife May (Genevieve Mooy) are thrilled to be greeting a small but steady stream of important visitors though many of the locals are not especially good with etiquette and several members of Buxton's team most notably high-strung Mitch (Kevin Harrington) are less than enthusiastic about Al Burnett (Patrick Warburton) the know-it-all NASA technician brought in to oversee the Australian operations. When a change in Apollo 11's schedule means the Australian dish will have to pick up the vital broadcast from the moon Cliff Mitch and Al must put aside their differences to pull the show together. Though played for laughs The Dish was inspired by actual events.

In this comedy , as American astronauts prepare to make one giant leap for mankind , a small Australian town stumbles through its own small steps to help. In the summer of 1969 , Cliff Buxton ( Sam Neill ) leads a team of scientists overseeing the operations of one of the world's largest radio telescope dishes , nestled in a New South Wales community of sheep farmers. As NASA prepares for Apollo 11 , the first manned voyage to the moon , Buxton and his crew are asked if they will allow their telescope's dish to be used as a backup receiver for the television transmission from the moon , should the main receiver in California fail. Buxton and his men are more than happy to help , and the village is agog as they gear up for their own small part in one of the world's greatest adventures. Mayor McIntyre ( Roy Billing ) and his wife May ( Genevieve Mooy ) are thrilled to be greeting a small but steady stream of important visitors , though many of the locals are not especially good with etiquette , and several members of Buxton's team , most notably high - strung Mitch ( Kevin Harrington ), are less than enthusiastic about Al Burnett ( Patrick Warburton ), the know - it - all NASA technician brought in to oversee the Australian operations. When a change in Apollo 11's schedule means the Australian dish will have to pick up the vital broadcast from the moon , Cliff , Mitch , and Al must put aside their differences to pull the show together. Though played for laughs , The Dish was inspired by actual events.

Most people have regrets in life and many would like to find out how things would be if they had done a few things differently but few people ever get to do anything about it. Pamela Drury (Rachel Griffiths) however gets just that chance. While she has a solid career as a journalist Pamela is single and very depressed about it -- so much so that on her birthday she tries to commit suicide in her bathtub but fails miserably. The next day Pamela spots a woman who could be her double and she sees that she's married to Robert (David Roberts) an old flame she often wishes she had married when she had the chance 13 years earlier. After a brief encounter with her doppelganger the other woman disappears and Pamela is mistaken for Robert's wife; she decides to go along for the ride complete with three children and a home in the suburbs. Pamela quickly discovers that life as a housewife is not all she imagined it to be (especially cleaning up after the baby) and while Pamela has high hopes of some romantic evenings with Robert it's obvious that the spark was smothered in this marriage some time ago. Curiously enough Pamela now finds that her best friend is suddenly single and Ben (Sandy Winton) a man who had shown a bit of interest in Pamela before is now quite keen on finding out if she would cheat on her husband. This fantasy was enthusiastically received at the Telluride Boston and Toronto Film Festivals in 1999.

Most people have regrets in life , and many would like to find out how things would be if they had done a few things differently , but few people ever get to do anything about it. Pamela Drury ( Rachel Griffiths ), however , gets just that chance. While she has a solid career as a journalist , Pamela is single and very depressed about it -- so much so that on her birthday she tries to commit suicide in her bathtub , but fails miserably. The next day Pamela spots a woman who could be her double , and she sees that she's married to Robert ( David Roberts ), an old flame she often wishes she had married when she had the chance 13 years earlier. After a brief encounter with her doppelganger , the other woman disappears and Pamela is mistaken for Robert's wife ; she decides to go along for the ride , complete with three children and a home in the suburbs. Pamela quickly discovers that life as a housewife is not all she imagined it to be ( especially cleaning up after the baby ), and while Pamela has high hopes of some romantic evenings with Robert , it's obvious that the spark was smothered in this marriage some time ago. Curiously enough , Pamela now finds that her best friend is suddenly single , and Ben ( Sandy Winton ), a man who had shown a bit of interest in Pamela before , is now quite keen on finding out if she would cheat on her husband. This fantasy was enthusiastically received at the Telluride , Boston , and Toronto Film Festivals in 1999.

Australian director Gillian Armstrong directed this Laura Jones adaptation of Peter Carey's 1988 Booker Prize-winning novel. In a lengthy flashback Oscar Hopkins' great grandson (Geoffrey Rush) narrates the family history that led to his birth. On an Australian farm Lucinda Leplastrier was tutored by her intelligent mother a woman who took part in the early feminist movement. Oscar's lonely boyhood in rural England was under the watchful eye of his preacher father. At Oxford to train as a minister the adult Oscar (Ralph Fiennes) feels he doesn't fit in and develops a passion for gambling giving his winnings away to the poor. Oscar and Lucinda (Cate Blanchett) meet aboard a ship; he's off to the outback to work as a missionary and she's returning from London after buying equipment for her glass factory. As mutual misfits they have an instant attraction and quickly grow close developing a romantic relationship based on trust. However the Rev. Dennis Hasset (Ciarán Hinds) and Lucinda are friends sharing an interest in glass. Convinced they are in love Oscar embarks on an unusual and difficult task building a glass church for the reverend an ambitious project to attempt in the remote wilderness.

Australian director Gillian Armstrong directed this Laura Jones adaptation of Peter Carey 's 1988 Booker Prize - winning novel. In a lengthy flashback , Oscar Hopkins' great grandson ( Geoffrey Rush ) narrates the family history that led to his birth. On an Australian farm , Lucinda Leplastrier was tutored by her intelligent mother , a woman who took part in the early feminist movement. Oscar's lonely boyhood in rural England was under the watchful eye of his preacher father. At Oxford to train as a minister , the adult Oscar ( Ralph Fiennes ) feels he doesn't fit in and develops a passion for gambling , giving his winnings away to the poor. Oscar and Lucinda ( Cate Blanchett ) meet aboard a ship ; he's off to the outback to work as a missionary , and she's returning from London after buying equipment for her glass factory. As mutual misfits , they have an instant attraction and quickly grow close , developing a romantic relationship based on trust. However , the Rev. Dennis Hasset ( Ciarán Hinds ) and Lucinda are friends , sharing an interest in glass. Convinced they are in love , Oscar embarks on an unusual and difficult task , building a glass church for the reverend , an ambitious project to attempt in the remote wilderness.

Children of the Revolution is an Australian film whose cinematic roots go back to the sardonic comedies of Billy Wilder. It is set in two time periods the 1950s and 1990s and goes back and forth between them. In the 1990s Australian politician Joe Welch (Richard Roxburgh) is having some serious difficulties. We learn just how serious they are through a series of interviews with important political commentators. Joe blames his mother Joan Fraser (Judy Davis) for his problems. This claim seems ridiculous until we flash back to the 1950s and discover that Joan an ardent communist had a very brief fling with Joseph Stalin (F. Murray Abraham) and that Joe Welch could be Stalin's love-child. Welch was brought up accompanying his mother on her political rounds and acquired a fondness for jack-booted women -- something which haunts him in his adult life. Double agent David Hoyle (Sam Neill) also had an affair with Joan during her one brief trip to Moscow and his shadowy influence also follows Welch into the time of the film.

Children of the Revolution is an Australian film whose cinematic roots go back to the sardonic comedies of Billy Wilder . It is set in two time periods , the 1950s and 1990s , and goes back and forth between them. In the 1990s , Australian politician Joe Welch ( Richard Roxburgh ) is having some serious difficulties. We learn just how serious they are through a series of interviews with important political commentators. Joe blames his mother , Joan Fraser ( Judy Davis ), for his problems. This claim seems ridiculous until we flash back to the 1950s and discover that Joan , an ardent communist , had a very brief fling with Joseph Stalin ( F. Murray Abraham ) and that Joe Welch could be Stalin's love - child. Welch was brought up accompanying his mother on her political rounds , and acquired a fondness for jack - booted women -- something which haunts him in his adult life. Double agent David Hoyle ( Sam Neill ) also had an affair with Joan during her one brief trip to Moscow , and his shadowy influence also follows Welch into the time of the film.

A middle-aged disc jockey becomes romantically entangled with a pair of sisters in this quirky Australian comedy. Vicki-Ann Hurley (Rebecca Frith) and her younger sister Dimity (Miranda Otto) are both feeling stagnant in the tiny outback town of Sunray and they welcome the distraction provided by the arrival of Ken Sherry (George Shevtsov) a formerly popular radio personality fallen on hard times. Despite his present circumstance the burnt-out Sherry retains an aura of faded prestige that attracts both sisters. Vicki-Ann sets out to seduce the disc jockey but it is Dimity who first draws Sherry's attention setting the stage for a conflict between the sisters. First-time filmmaker Shirley Barrett plays this conflict not for romantic melodrama but for comedy focusing on how Vicki-Ann and Dimity adapt to their experiences with the mysterious Sherry whose enigmatic demeanor may hide a deeper secret. Barrett plays out this triangle against a detailed portrait of a failing town emphasizing the distinctive local color and oddball characters in a manner that should appeal most to those with a taste for the unusual.

A middle - aged disc jockey becomes romantically entangled with a pair of sisters in this quirky Australian comedy. Vicki - Ann Hurley ( Rebecca Frith ) and her younger sister Dimity ( Miranda Otto ) are both feeling stagnant in the tiny outback town of Sunray , and they welcome the distraction provided by the arrival of Ken Sherry ( George Shevtsov ), a formerly popular radio personality fallen on hard times. Despite his present circumstance , the burnt - out Sherry retains an aura of faded prestige that attracts both sisters. Vicki - Ann sets out to seduce the disc jockey , but it is Dimity who first draws Sherry's attention , setting the stage for a conflict between the sisters. First - time filmmaker Shirley Barrett plays this conflict not for romantic melodrama but for comedy , focusing on how Vicki - Ann and Dimity adapt to their experiences with the mysterious Sherry , whose enigmatic demeanor may hide a deeper secret. Barrett plays out this triangle against a detailed portrait of a failing town , emphasizing the distinctive local color and oddball characters in a manner that should appeal most to those with a taste for the unusual.

Dutch-Australian director Rolf de Heer's second film is a vision of a quickly dissolving marriage as seen through the eyes of a seven-year-old child. Chloe Ferguson (de Heer's real-life daughter) stars as a nameless little girl who withdraws completely into herself and refuses to speak as the level of animosity between her mother (Celine O'Leary) and father (Paul Blackwell) moves them inexorably closer to divorce. The girl's voice is heard however as narration in which she describes her increasing alienation from the squabbling adults who are becoming more self absorbed and more childish than their child. Her only refuge is her blue-walled room a fantasyland of goldfish and Barbie dolls that don't bicker where she can remember happier days when she as three or dream of a pet dog and a house in the country. The theme of an immature soul trapped by family within the confines of a home thematically mirrored de Heer's more controversial previous film Bad Boy Bubby (1993) which did not find North American distribution.

Dutch - Australian director Rolf de Heer 's second film is a vision of a quickly dissolving marriage as seen through the eyes of a seven - year - old child. Chloe Ferguson ( de Heer 's real - life daughter ) stars as a nameless little girl who withdraws completely into herself and refuses to speak as the level of animosity between her mother ( Celine O'Leary ) and father ( Paul Blackwell ) moves them inexorably closer to divorce. The girl's voice is heard , however , as narration , in which she describes her increasing alienation from the squabbling adults who are becoming more self absorbed , and more childish , than their child. Her only refuge is her blue - walled room , a fantasyland of goldfish and Barbie dolls that don't bicker , where she can remember happier days when she as three , or dream of a pet dog and a house in the country. The theme of an immature soul trapped by family within the confines of a home thematically mirrored de Heer 's more controversial previous film Bad Boy Bubby ( 1993 ), which did not find North American distribution.

In this unusual romantic drama from Australia Harry (John Lynch) and Kate (Jacqueline McKenzie) are both patients at a psychiatric care facility. While in therapy the two meet and fall in love in spite of their troubled pasts. Despite the potential complications they might foresee with the relationship Harry's main sources of support his brother Morris (Colin Friels) and Morris's wife Louise (Deborra-Lee Furness) are more concerned with Harry's stability and happiness than anything else and they soon give him their blessing to marry Kate. However it soon becomes obvious that love does not conquer all. Kate becomes pregnant and her doctors try to persuade her to have an abortion. They believe that her mental illness could be passed along to her child that she would not make a fit mother and that her medication for schizophrenia could have a harmful effect on the fetus. Kate is convinced that the angel Astral speaks to her and that the child she carries is his earthly incarnation; she refuses to have an abortion but compromises by not taking her medication while pregnant. Harry stops taking his as well but the couple's happiness is short-lived when their increasing instability leads to tragic consequences. Angel Baby won seven Australian Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Actor and Best Actress.

In this unusual romantic drama from Australia , Harry ( John Lynch ) and Kate ( Jacqueline McKenzie ) are both patients at a psychiatric care facility. While in therapy , the two meet and fall in love , in spite of their troubled pasts. Despite the potential complications they might foresee with the relationship , Harry's main sources of support , his brother Morris ( Colin Friels ) and Morris's wife Louise ( Deborra - Lee Furness ), are more concerned with Harry's stability and happiness than anything else , and they soon give him their blessing to marry Kate. However , it soon becomes obvious that love does not conquer all. Kate becomes pregnant , and her doctors try to persuade her to have an abortion. They believe that her mental illness could be passed along to her child , that she would not make a fit mother , and that her medication for schizophrenia could have a harmful effect on the fetus. Kate is convinced that the angel Astral speaks to her , and that the child she carries is his earthly incarnation ; she refuses to have an abortion , but compromises by not taking her medication while pregnant. Harry stops taking his as well , but the couple's happiness is short - lived when their increasing instability leads to tragic consequences. Angel Baby won seven Australian Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Actor , and Best Actress.

A socially inept young woman slowly learns to overcome her insecurities in this sleeper hit from Australia. The unconventional Muriel (Toni Collette) is deeply unsatisfied with her life stuck in the nowhere town of Porpoise Spit and feeling rejected by her friends and family. Believing herself unattractive and worthless she seeks meager solace in ABBA songs and fantasies of gorgeous weddings with herself as the bride. Muriel's life takes a turn for the better however when she befriends the carefree Rhonda (Rachel Griffiths) who encourages her to take control of her life. Together the two women travel to Sydney where a series of liberating experiences help Muriel develop self-esteem and take the first steps towards maturity.

A socially inept young woman slowly learns to overcome her insecurities in this sleeper hit from Australia. The unconventional Muriel ( Toni Collette ) is deeply unsatisfied with her life , stuck in the nowhere town of Porpoise Spit and feeling rejected by her friends and family. Believing herself unattractive and worthless , she seeks meager solace in ABBA songs and fantasies of gorgeous weddings , with herself as the bride. Muriel's life takes a turn for the better , however , when she befriends the carefree Rhonda ( Rachel Griffiths ), who encourages her to take control of her life. Together , the two women travel to Sydney , where a series of liberating experiences help Muriel develop self - esteem and take the first steps towards maturity.

The usually menacing British actor Terence Stamp does a complete turnaround as Bernadette an aging transsexual who tours the backwaters of Australia with her stage partners Mitzi (Hugo Weaving) and Adam/Felicia (Guy Pearce). Their act well-known in Sydney involves wearing lots of makeup and gowns and lip-synching to records but Bernadette is getting a bit tired of it all and is also haunted by the bizarre death of an old loved one. Nevertheless when Mitzi and Felicia get an offer to perform in the remote town of Alice Springs at a casino Bernadette decides to tag along. The threesome ventures into the outback with Priscilla a lavender-colored school bus that doubles as dressing room and home on the road. Along the way the act encounters any number of strange characters as well as incidents of homophobia while Bernadette becomes increasingly concerned about the path her life has taken.

The usually menacing British actor Terence Stamp does a complete turnaround as Bernadette , an aging transsexual who tours the backwaters of Australia with her stage partners , Mitzi ( Hugo Weaving ) and Adam / Felicia ( Guy Pearce ) . Their act , well - known in Sydney , involves wearing lots of makeup and gowns and lip - synching to records , but Bernadette is getting a bit tired of it all and is also haunted by the bizarre death of an old loved one. Nevertheless , when Mitzi and Felicia get an offer to perform in the remote town of Alice Springs at a casino , Bernadette decides to tag along. The threesome ventures into the outback with Priscilla , a lavender - colored school bus that doubles as dressing room and home on the road. Along the way , the act encounters any number of strange characters , as well as incidents of homophobia , while Bernadette becomes increasingly concerned about the path her life has taken.

This controversial drama (which earned an NC-17 rating in the U.S.) was a major box-office success in its native Australia and it made an overnight star of its leading man Russell Crowe. Hando (Crowe) is a member of a gang of racist skinheads who lash out with violence against the growing number of Asian immigrants settling in the country. While Hando and his partner Davey (Daniel Pollock) lead a bunch of brutal half-bright thugs they have convinced themselves that what they do is the noble work of saving Australia for Australians (or at least the white Australians who drove the aborigines into the outback). Into this milieu comes Gabe (Jacqueline McKenzie) a troubled young woman who suffers from epilepsy and was raised in a sexually abusive environment. Gabe becomes something of a gang moll dividing her time (and her sexual favors) between Hando and Davey generating considerable tension between them. When the gang's favorite bar is purchased by a group of Vietnamese immigrants Hando and Davey organize an all-out attack little imagining that the Asians are ready and able to defend themselves. Romper Stomper was released in America in both its original uncut form and in an edited version that earned an R rating from the MPAA.

This controversial drama ( which earned an NC - 17 rating in the U.S. ) was a major box - office success in its native Australia , and it made an overnight star of its leading man , Russell Crowe . Hando ( Crowe ) is a member of a gang of racist skinheads who lash out with violence against the growing number of Asian immigrants settling in the country. While Hando and his partner Davey ( Daniel Pollock ) lead a bunch of brutal , half - bright thugs , they have convinced themselves that what they do is the noble work of saving Australia for Australians ( or at least the white Australians who drove the aborigines into the outback ) . Into this milieu comes Gabe ( Jacqueline McKenzie ), a troubled young woman who suffers from epilepsy and was raised in a sexually abusive environment. Gabe becomes something of a gang moll , dividing her time ( and her sexual favors ) between Hando and Davey , generating considerable tension between them. When the gang's favorite bar is purchased by a group of Vietnamese immigrants , Hando and Davey organize an all - out attack , little imagining that the Asians are ready and able to defend themselves. Romper Stomper was released in America in both its original , uncut form , and in an edited version that earned an R rating from the MPAA.

This wildly off-beat comedy is about a male dancer (Paul Mercurio) who refuses to follow the accepted rules of ballroom dancing and creates his own style of choreography which infuriates the ballroom dancing establishment. Before he's scheduled to compete in the Pan-Pacific ballroom championships he's forced to take up a new partner (Tara Morice) a beginner who initially seems without promise. With his help she turns into an assured and wonderful dancer. Baz Luhrmann's visual style may be too bright gaudy and exaggerated for some tastes yet he treats his characters with compassion which makes Strictly Ballroom such an engaging comedy.

This wildly off - beat comedy is about a male dancer ( Paul Mercurio ) who refuses to follow the accepted rules of ballroom dancing and creates his own style of choreography , which infuriates the ballroom dancing establishment. Before he's scheduled to compete in the Pan - Pacific ballroom championships , he's forced to take up a new partner ( Tara Morice ), a beginner who initially seems without promise. With his help , she turns into an assured and wonderful dancer. Baz Luhrmann 's visual style may be too bright , gaudy and exaggerated for some tastes , yet he treats his characters with compassion , which makes Strictly Ballroom such an engaging comedy.

Effusive piano tuner Norman Kaye is on the less sunny side of forty and still unattached. Shy and self-effacing office worker Wendy Hughes is likewise getting on in years sans a lifetime companion. From the outset we know that Kaye and Hughes will somehow come together. This however is the only predictable aspect of this quirky Australian comedy. Director Paul Cox co-wrote the ever-fresh screenplay of Lonely Hearts with John Clarke.

Effusive piano tuner Norman Kaye is on the less sunny side of forty and still unattached. Shy and self - effacing office worker Wendy Hughes is likewise getting on in years sans a lifetime companion. From the outset , we know that Kaye and Hughes will somehow come together. This , however , is the only predictable aspect of this quirky Australian comedy. Director Paul Cox co - wrote the ever - fresh screenplay of Lonely Hearts with John Clarke .

Gillian Armstrong directed this quietly bittersweet and coldly ironic examination of the death throes of a crumbling marriage. Set in the lush summer light of Sydney the film examines the dying marriage of Beth (Lisa Harrow) a middle-aged writer living with her French husband J.P. (Bruno Ganz) and her teenage daughter Annie (Miranda Otto). Beth and J.P. are maintaining their marriage through a delicate thread of disinterest and patronizing that is torn asunder with the arrival of Beth's younger sister Vicki (Kerry Fox). Along with the arrival of Vicki Beth and J.P. take in a boarder a clean-cut teen named Tim (Kiri Paramore). These two new additions to the family infuse the home with a new vitality but that only holds the dissolution of the marriage in abeyance for a time. In an effort to make peace with her father (Bill Hunter) Beth takes him on a trip to the outback where she believes she might be able to communicate with him. With Beth gone J.P. and Vicki have an affair and they abandon the family to start life on their own. Beth now alone feels a sense of liberation and purpose and begins to start her life anew.

Gillian Armstrong directed this quietly bittersweet and coldly ironic examination of the death throes of a crumbling marriage. Set in the lush summer light of Sydney , the film examines the dying marriage of Beth ( Lisa Harrow ), a middle - aged writer living with her French husband J.P. ( Bruno Ganz ) and her teenage daughter Annie ( Miranda Otto ) . Beth and J.P. are maintaining their marriage through a delicate thread of disinterest and patronizing that is torn asunder with the arrival of Beth's younger sister Vicki ( Kerry Fox ) . Along with the arrival of Vicki , Beth and J.P. take in a boarder , a clean - cut teen named Tim ( Kiri Paramore ) . These two new additions to the family infuse the home with a new vitality , but that only holds the dissolution of the marriage in abeyance for a time. In an effort to make peace with her father ( Bill Hunter ), Beth takes him on a trip to the outback , where she believes she might be able to communicate with him. With Beth gone , J.P. and Vicki have an affair , and they abandon the family to start life on their own. Beth , now alone , feels a sense of liberation and purpose and begins to start her life anew.

A man tries to win the hand of the love of his life -- which is an uphill battle since she's about to get married -- in this romantic comedy from Australia. Seventeen-year-old Stephen (Simon Bossell) first sees Melissa (Saffron Burrows) across the room at a party and from that moment on he's hopelessly in love with her. However as he's crossing the room to introduce himself who should get there first but his fraternal twin brother Rick (Alden Young). While Stephen is the brighter of the two Rick is more attractive and outgoing and Stephen quickly realizes that he doesn't stand a chance with Melissa if Rick is his competition. Ten years later Stephen is doing quite well as a stockbroker though his love life remains a disaster while Rick is the manager of the Hotel de Love a cheesy honeymoon resort complete with heart-shaped bathtubs for two and artificial indoor waterfalls. While Stephen is paying his brother a visit at the hotel who should check in but Melissa with her bookish fiancé Norman (Peter O'Brien) in tow. While Melissa is surprised to see her former flame Rick she has no idea that Stephen still carries a torch for her after all these years. Stephen tries to win Melissa away from Norman which given his romantic ineptitude is no easy task; he seeks advice from Alison (Pippa Grandison) Rick's girlfriend who works as a fortune teller at the hotel though the results are not what anyone expected. Meanwhile Stephen and Rick's quarrelsome parents Jack and Edith (Ray Barrett and Julia Blake) have come to the hotel for a second honeymoon and they hope to patch up their marriage. Hotel de Love was the feature debut for writer/director Craig Rosenberg.

A man tries to win the hand of the love of his life -- which is an uphill battle , since she's about to get married -- in this romantic comedy from Australia. Seventeen - year - old Stephen ( Simon Bossell ) first sees Melissa ( Saffron Burrows ) across the room at a party , and from that moment on , he's hopelessly in love with her. However , as he's crossing the room to introduce himself , who should get there first but his fraternal twin brother Rick ( Alden Young ) . While Stephen is the brighter of the two , Rick is more attractive and outgoing , and Stephen quickly realizes that he doesn't stand a chance with Melissa if Rick is his competition. Ten years later , Stephen is doing quite well as a stockbroker , though his love life remains a disaster , while Rick is the manager of the Hotel de Love , a cheesy honeymoon resort complete with heart - shaped bathtubs for two and artificial indoor waterfalls. While Stephen is paying his brother a visit at the hotel , who should check in but Melissa , with her bookish fiancé Norman ( Peter O'Brien ) in tow. While Melissa is surprised to see her former flame Rick , she has no idea that Stephen still carries a torch for her after all these years. Stephen tries to win Melissa away from Norman , which given his romantic ineptitude is no easy task ; he seeks advice from Alison ( Pippa Grandison ), Rick's girlfriend , who works as a fortune teller at the hotel , though the results are not what anyone expected. Meanwhile , Stephen and Rick's quarrelsome parents , Jack and Edith ( Ray Barrett and Julia Blake ), have come to the hotel for a second honeymoon , and they hope to patch up their marriage. Hotel de Love was the feature debut for writer / director Craig Rosenberg .

Australian college students struggle to deal with school romance and life in general in first-time director Emma-Kate Croghan's comedy. The film's focus falls on cinema studies major Mia (France O'Connor) and her roommate Alice (Alice Garner) both of whom find themselves in romantic flux. Alice is torn between the cocky Ari (Matthew Dyktynski) and the shy but loyal Michael (Matt Day) while Mia is in the midst of a messy break-up with her girlfriend Danni (Radha Mitchell). Further complicating Mia's life are her unfinished thesis (on the feminist implications of Doris Day films) and her struggles with the college administration which provide the opportunity for gentle satire of academia and the frustrations of bureaucracy. The characters deal with their troubles through articulate questioning dialogue and Croghan punctuates the film with title screens featuring famous quotes and with attempts to liven up the relatively familiar story with occasional forays into art-film stylization. Most critics viewed the film as a promising debut with likable characters and a charming romantic tone if an inconsequential narrative.

Australian college students struggle to deal with school , romance , and life in general in first - time director Emma - Kate Croghan 's comedy. The film's focus falls on cinema studies major Mia ( France O'Connor ) and her roommate Alice ( Alice Garner ), both of whom find themselves in romantic flux. Alice is torn between the cocky Ari ( Matthew Dyktynski ) and the shy but loyal Michael ( Matt Day ), while Mia is in the midst of a messy break - up with her girlfriend Danni ( Radha Mitchell ) . Further complicating Mia's life are her unfinished thesis ( on the feminist implications of Doris Day films ) and her struggles with the college administration , which provide the opportunity for gentle satire of academia and the frustrations of bureaucracy. The characters deal with their troubles through articulate , questioning dialogue , and Croghan punctuates the film with title screens featuring famous quotes and with attempts to liven up the relatively familiar story with occasional forays into art - film stylization. Most critics viewed the film as a promising debut , with likable characters and a charming romantic tone , if an inconsequential narrative.

Three years before he became a household name in Hollywood with 1997's L.A. Confidential Russell Crowe starred in this Australian drama the directorial debuts of Geoff Burton and Kevin Dowling. Crowe plays Jeff Mitchell a young gay man and the son of widower Harry Mitchell (Jack Thompson). The two live together while they both search for a special someone with whom to spend their lives. And while Harry is more than comfortable with Jeff's sexuality his new lady friend isn't leading to tension and a personal struggle for Harry. Based on the play by screenwriter David Stevens The Sum of Us was the 1994 recipient of the Austalian Film Institute's Best Adapted Screenplay award.

Three years before he became a household name in Hollywood with 1997's L.A. Confidential , Russell Crowe starred in this Australian drama , the directorial debuts of Geoff Burton and Kevin Dowling . Crowe plays Jeff Mitchell , a young gay man and the son of widower Harry Mitchell ( Jack Thompson ) . The two live together while they both search for a special someone with whom to spend their lives. And while Harry is more than comfortable with Jeff's sexuality , his new lady friend isn't , leading to tension and a personal struggle for Harry. Based on the play by screenwriter David Stevens , The Sum of Us was the 1994 recipient of the Austalian Film Institute's Best Adapted Screenplay award.

Sex religion and morality are the key ingredients in this Australian comedy set in the 1930s. Rev. Anthony Campion (Hugh Grant) is a liberal forward-thinking Anglican priest who is sent on an unusual assignment. Norman Lindsay (Sam Neill) is a popular and highly controversial artist whose paintings often feature voluptuous nude women; his latest major exhibition is to feature a work called The Crucified Venus which depicts a naked female impaled on a cross. Outraged the Anglican Bishop of Sydney wants Campion to visit Lindsay and persuade him to remove the work from his show. Rev. Campion and his wife Estella (Tara Fitzgerald) travel to Lindsay's Blue Mountain estate where the artist is hard at work with a bevy of lovely nude models in tow including Sheela (Elle MacPherson) Giddy (Portia de Rossi) and Pru (Kate Fischer). The Reverend is quietly appalled by the open sensuality of Lindsay's household and Estella is mortified; they're even more upset when Lindsay calmly but firmly refuses to remove The Crucified Venus from his show. However the longer the Campions stay with Lindsay in hopes of changing his mind the more they find themselves drawn into the sensuous pleasures of his world. Sirens was based on an actual incident and Norman Lindsay was a real artist of the period (his life was depicted in the film Age of Consent in which he was played by James Mason). But audiences were probably less interested in art and cultural history than in the opportunity to see supermodel Elle MacPherson appear undraped; she also gives a fine and charming comic performance as do Hugh Grant and Tara Fitzgerald.

Sex , religion , and morality are the key ingredients in this Australian comedy set in the 1930s. Rev. Anthony Campion ( Hugh Grant ) is a liberal , forward - thinking Anglican priest who is sent on an unusual assignment. Norman Lindsay ( Sam Neill ) is a popular and highly controversial artist whose paintings often feature voluptuous nude women ; his latest major exhibition is to feature a work called The Crucified Venus , which depicts a naked female impaled on a cross. Outraged , the Anglican Bishop of Sydney wants Campion to visit Lindsay and persuade him to remove the work from his show. Rev. Campion and his wife , Estella ( Tara Fitzgerald ), travel to Lindsay 's Blue Mountain estate , where the artist is hard at work with a bevy of lovely nude models in tow , including Sheela ( Elle MacPherson ), Giddy ( Portia de Rossi ), and Pru ( Kate Fischer ) . The Reverend is quietly appalled by the open sensuality of Lindsay 's household , and Estella is mortified ; they're even more upset when Lindsay calmly but firmly refuses to remove The Crucified Venus from his show. However , the longer the Campions stay with Lindsay in hopes of changing his mind , the more they find themselves drawn into the sensuous pleasures of his world. Sirens was based on an actual incident and Norman Lindsay was a real artist of the period ( his life was depicted in the film Age of Consent , in which he was played by James Mason ) . But audiences were probably less interested in art and cultural history than in the opportunity to see supermodel Elle MacPherson appear undraped ; she also gives a fine and charming comic performance , as do Hugh Grant and Tara Fitzgerald .

Director Bruce Beresford continued his tradition of putting socially disenfranchised characters front and center with this wryly observant comedy drama about middle class Australian teens that served as a stark contrast to the popular American teen films of its day. Friends from the Sydney suburb of Cronulla Debbie (Nell Schofield) and Sue (Jad Capelja) are a pair of average schoolgirls who smoke drink have sex and cheat on exams. The girls are also striving to become "surfie chicks" the groupies that hang around the surfer boy gangs of southern Sydney pairing off with the objects of their affection. Adhering to odd rules that prevent them from eating or going to the bathroom in the surfers' presence the girls get into trouble for their wild behavior with Debbie eventually fearing that she's pregnant leading to a fatal overdose of heroin for her boyfriend Garry (Geoff Rhoe). Ultimately Debbie and Sue become disillusioned with the sexism and narrow-mindedness of their crowd. Puberty Blues (1981) was based on the book of the same name by Kathy Lette and Gabrielle Carey a pair of real-life Sydney teens who wrote newspaper articles under the pseudonym "The Salami Sisters."

Director Bruce Beresford continued his tradition of putting socially disenfranchised characters front and center with this wryly observant comedy drama about middle class Australian teens that served as a stark contrast to the popular American teen films of its day. Friends from the Sydney suburb of Cronulla , Debbie ( Nell Schofield ) and Sue ( Jad Capelja ) are a pair of average schoolgirls who smoke , drink , have sex , and cheat on exams. The girls are also striving to become "surfie chicks , " the groupies that hang around the surfer boy gangs of southern Sydney , pairing off with the objects of their affection. Adhering to odd rules that prevent them from eating or going to the bathroom in the surfers' presence , the girls get into trouble for their wild behavior , with Debbie eventually fearing that she's pregnant , leading to a fatal overdose of heroin for her boyfriend Garry ( Geoff Rhoe ) . Ultimately , Debbie and Sue become disillusioned with the sexism and narrow - mindedness of their crowd. Puberty Blues ( 1981 ) was based on the book of the same name by Kathy Lette and Gabrielle Carey , a pair of real - life Sydney teens who wrote newspaper articles under the pseudonym "The Salami Sisters."

Set between the years 1949 and 1956 Newsfront tracks the destinies of two brothers their adventures and misadventures placed in the context of sweeping social and political changes in their native Australia. Both of the protagonists are newsreel photographers. Frank (Gerard Maguire) is constitutionally resistant to change while Len (Bill Kennedy) welcomes any alterations in his own life and in the world around him. The film fluctuates between black and white and color between actual news footage and reconstructed events. Newsfront is what The Way We Were might have looked like on a tiny budget with a cast of unknowns. The film represented a laudable feature-film directorial debut for one-time documentary filmmaker Philip Noyce.

Set between the years 1949 and 1956 , Newsfront tracks the destinies of two brothers , their adventures and misadventures placed in the context of sweeping social and political changes in their native Australia. Both of the protagonists are newsreel photographers. Frank ( Gerard Maguire ) is constitutionally resistant to change , while Len ( Bill Kennedy ) welcomes any alterations in his own life and in the world around him. The film fluctuates between black and white and color , between actual news footage and reconstructed events. Newsfront is what The Way We Were might have looked like on a tiny budget with a cast of unknowns. The film represented a laudable feature - film directorial debut for one - time documentary filmmaker Philip Noyce .

Also released as Spotswood The Efficiency Expert stars Anthony Hopkins as Wallace a cold-blooded management consultant infamous for radically "downsizing" every firm he comes in contact with. Wallace's latest assignment is to streamline a small family-owned shoe factory in Australia. As he gets to know the eccentric (and endearingly inefficient) factory workers Wallace undergoes a slow-but-sure "humanizing" process. Eventually realizing that he can simultaneously cut costs and preserve the dignity of the workers he finds a way to modernize the operation without a single firing. In traditional fashion the main story shares screen time with a romantic subplot involving the factory-owner's son and a female employee. Characterized by many critics as "Capraesque" The Efficiency Expert also bears trace of all those Ealing comedies of the 1950s.

Also released as Spotswood , The Efficiency Expert stars Anthony Hopkins as Wallace , a cold - blooded management consultant , infamous for radically "downsizing" every firm he comes in contact with. Wallace's latest assignment is to streamline a small , family - owned shoe factory in Australia. As he gets to know the eccentric ( and endearingly inefficient ) factory workers , Wallace undergoes a slow - but - sure "humanizing" process. Eventually realizing that he can simultaneously cut costs and preserve the dignity of the workers , he finds a way to modernize the operation without a single firing. In traditional fashion , the main story shares screen time with a romantic subplot involving the factory - owner's son and a female employee. Characterized by many critics as " Capraesque , " The Efficiency Expert also bears trace of all those Ealing comedies of the 1950s.

The ugly American bullying his way through a foreign country was a subject for comedy in several films of the 1980s most notably Bill Forsyth's Local Hero and this film from exiled Yugoslavian director Dusan Makavejev. Eric Roberts plays Becker an aggressive marketing executive for the Coca-Cola Company; he has been assigned to figure out why sales in hot and dry Australia aren't higher. Becker comes up against a low-key but formidable adversary T. George McDowell (Bill Kerr) whose homegrown soda has cornered the market in his little corner of the country. Complicating matters is Terri a local woman (Greta Scacchi) Becker hires as his secretary; she's McDowell's daughter and a single mom who's romantically attracted to the brash American. Becker wants to make a deal on his (and his employer's) terms but he finds himself falling prey to the charms of life Down Under and the ministrations of Terri.

The ugly American bullying his way through a foreign country was a subject for comedy in several films of the 1980s , most notably Bill Forsyth 's Local Hero and this film from exiled Yugoslavian director Dusan Makavejev . Eric Roberts plays Becker , an aggressive marketing executive for the Coca - Cola Company ; he has been assigned to figure out why sales in hot and dry Australia aren't higher. Becker comes up against a low - key but formidable adversary , T. George McDowell ( Bill Kerr ), whose homegrown soda has cornered the market in his little corner of the country. Complicating matters is Terri , a local woman ( Greta Scacchi ) Becker hires as his secretary ; she's McDowell's daughter and a single mom who's romantically attracted to the brash American. Becker wants to make a deal on his ( and his employer's ) terms , but he finds himself falling prey to the charms of life Down Under and the ministrations of Terri.

This Australian drama is based on the life and times of Mark "Chopper" Read a notorious Aussie criminal who went on to become a best-selling author publishing nine books about his exploits outside the law. In 1978 Chopper (played by Eric Bana) is serving a 16-year sentence for abducting a judge who was overseeing the trial of his best friend Jimmy (Simon Lyndon). Jimmy and Chopper end up sharing a cell along with Keithy George (David Field) a crime boss; when a disagreement between Keithy and Chopper escalates into violence Chopper kills Keithy leading to retribution from the gangster's mates who hire Jimmy to do their dirty work. To escape Chopper forces a friend to cut off one of his ears so he'll be transferred to another prison. Eight years later Chopper is out of prison and looking for Jimmy in hopes of getting revenge; in the meantime he's looking to get even with another of his enemies Neville (Vince Colosimo) and trying to keep his eye on his girlfriend Tanya (Kate Beahan) who supports herself as a call girl. While the real "Chopper" Read was not directly involved in the production comic Eric Bana was cast in the lead at Read's suggestion.

This Australian drama is based on the life and times of Mark "Chopper" Read , a notorious Aussie criminal who went on to become a best - selling author , publishing nine books about his exploits outside the law. In 1978 , Chopper ( played by Eric Bana ) is serving a 16 - year sentence for abducting a judge who was overseeing the trial of his best friend Jimmy ( Simon Lyndon ) . Jimmy and Chopper end up sharing a cell , along with Keithy George ( David Field ), a crime boss ; when a disagreement between Keithy and Chopper escalates into violence , Chopper kills Keithy , leading to retribution from the gangster's mates , who hire Jimmy to do their dirty work. To escape , Chopper forces a friend to cut off one of his ears so he'll be transferred to another prison. Eight years later , Chopper is out of prison and looking for Jimmy in hopes of getting revenge ; in the meantime , he's looking to get even with another of his enemies , Neville ( Vince Colosimo ), and trying to keep his eye on his girlfriend , Tanya ( Kate Beahan ), who supports herself as a call girl. While the real "Chopper" Read was not directly involved in the production , comic Eric Bana was cast in the lead at Read's suggestion.

Unrequited love and mistaken identity are the lynchpins of this romantic comedy from Australia. Ruby Vale (Claudia Karvan) is a pretty but no-nonsense young woman who lives in a small village in the Aussie outback where she runs the only diner in town. She's engaged to marry Hamish (Andrew S. Gilbert) who is pleasant but dull and spends much of her free time with her good friend Jack (Hugh Jackman). Jack secretly aspires to be a writer and has in fact published a novel but since the book is a frothy paperback romance to avoid embarrassment he decided not to use his own name and instead credited Ruby Vale as the author. The book becomes a best seller and suddenly Ruby is forced to pose as the writer of a book she hasn't even read and when the publisher flies her to Sydney to discuss her next project confusion is the result. Leading lady Claudia Karvan was formerly a popular child actress in her native Australia while her co-star Hugh Jackman makes his screen debut after establishing himself in musical theater starring down under in major productions of Beauty and the Beast and Sunset Boulevard.

Unrequited love and mistaken identity are the lynchpins of this romantic comedy from Australia. Ruby Vale ( Claudia Karvan ) is a pretty but no - nonsense young woman who lives in a small village in the Aussie outback , where she runs the only diner in town. She's engaged to marry Hamish ( Andrew S. Gilbert ), who is pleasant but dull , and spends much of her free time with her good friend Jack ( Hugh Jackman ) . Jack secretly aspires to be a writer and has in fact published a novel , but since the book is a frothy paperback romance , to avoid embarrassment he decided not to use his own name and instead credited Ruby Vale as the author. The book becomes a best seller and suddenly Ruby is forced to pose as the writer of a book she hasn't even read , and when the publisher flies her to Sydney to discuss her next project , confusion is the result. Leading lady Claudia Karvan was formerly a popular child actress in her native Australia , while her co - star Hugh Jackman makes his screen debut after establishing himself in musical theater , starring down under in major productions of Beauty and the Beast and Sunset Boulevard .

Sex and the singles scene is a much explored and exploited subject in cinema particularly in the 1990's. Strange Fits of Passion tries to avoid clichés in narrating a young woman's desperate crusade to lose her virginity. The result is a bittersweet fable in which the protagonist takes the viewer along on her journey through hilarious sexual and social misadventures as she struggles to discover the meaning of sex love and desire in a world which is post-modern and post-everything. The first film of actress and stage director Elise McCredie Strange Fits of Passion was chosen for the International Critics' Week at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.

Sex and the singles scene is a much explored and exploited subject in cinema , particularly in the 1990's. Strange Fits of Passion tries to avoid clichés in narrating a young woman's desperate crusade to lose her virginity. The result is a bittersweet fable in which the protagonist takes the viewer along on her journey through hilarious sexual and social misadventures as she struggles to discover the meaning of sex , love , and desire in a world which is post - modern and post - everything. The first film of actress and stage director Elise McCredie , Strange Fits of Passion was chosen for the International Critics' Week at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.

This Australian drama following events during the 24 hours prior to a horrible (but unseen) crime is adapted from the award-winning 1991 Gordon Graham play which was inspired by the real-life rape-murder of a nurse in Sydney Australia. After serving time for an assault on a liquor-store owner troubled Brett Sprague (David Wenham repeating the role he created onstage) is released from prison and returns home to his brothers mother and girlfriend. As Brett begins to drink his way through the day his anger and suspicions turn into a psychopathic rage. Shown at the 1998 Berlin Film Festival.

This Australian drama , following events during the 24 hours prior to a horrible ( but unseen ) crime , is adapted from the award - winning 1991 Gordon Graham play , which was inspired by the real - life rape - murder of a nurse in Sydney , Australia. After serving time for an assault on a liquor - store owner , troubled Brett Sprague ( David Wenham , repeating the role he created onstage ) is released from prison and returns home to his brothers , mother , and girlfriend. As Brett begins to drink his way through the day , his anger and suspicions turn into a psychopathic rage. Shown at the 1998 Berlin Film Festival .

ased on the testimony of survivors this historical drama recounts the WWII heroism of female prisoners of war. (Glenn Close) stars as Adrienne Partiger a society doyenne who flees Singapore with other expatriate women mostly the wives of servicemen when Japanese forces invade in 1942. When their gunboat is sunk in an air attack the survivors wash ashore on Japanese-held Sumatra. The women are interned in a grim POW camp where punishments for even minor infractions are extreme. With the help of a missionary (Pauline Collins) Partiger corrals the women including a tough American (Julianna Margulies) an Australian nurse (Cate Blanchett) and a young wife (Jennifer Ehle) into a musical group. Since singing is not allowed the a cappella chorus dubs itself "a vocal orchestra" and is tolerated -- if barely -- by their Japanese captors. Though living conditions are squalid food is scarce and a thin sliver of soap inspires a shower brawl the music keeps spirits uplifted and a Jewish-German doctor (Frances McDormand) provides some medical aid. Writer-director Bruce Beresford interviewed real-life participants in similar POW musical groups. Some provided from memory sheet music of the pieces they performed which were used in the film.

Based on the testimony of survivors , this historical drama recounts the WWII heroism of female prisoners of war. ( Glenn Close ) stars as Adrienne Partiger , a society doyenne who flees Singapore with other expatriate women , mostly the wives of servicemen , when Japanese forces invade in 1942. When their gunboat is sunk in an air attack , the survivors wash ashore on Japanese - held Sumatra. The women are interned in a grim POW camp where punishments for even minor infractions are extreme. With the help of a missionary ( Pauline Collins ), Partiger corrals the women , including a tough American ( Julianna Margulies ), an Australian nurse ( Cate Blanchett ) and a young wife ( Jennifer Ehle ) into a musical group. Since singing is not allowed , the a cappella chorus dubs itself "a vocal orchestra" and is tolerated -- if barely -- by their Japanese captors. Though living conditions are squalid , food is scarce , and a thin sliver of soap inspires a shower brawl , the music keeps spirits uplifted and a Jewish - German doctor ( Frances McDormand ) provides some medical aid. Writer - director Bruce Beresford interviewed real - life participants in similar POW musical groups. Some provided , from memory , sheet music of the pieces they performed , which were used in the film.

In this Australian comedy adapted by Louis Nowra from his own play and updated from a '70s to a '90s setting a Sydney slacker gets the chance to stage an opera but his cast is assembled from the ranks of the mentally ill. After a long stretch sponging off his law-student girlfriend Lucy (Rachel Griffiths) college dropout Lewis (Ben Mendelsohn) fakes his way into a job doing occupational therapy with a group of asylum inmates. Although his original assignment is to stage a variety show manic-depressive patient Roy (Barry Otto) soon hijacks the project and convinces Lewis to helm an adaptation of his favorite opera Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutti. Lewis' unlikely cast ranges from psycho firebug Doug (David Wenham) and scruffy loudmouth Sandra (Kerry Walker) to depressive dirt-obsessed Ruth (Pamela Rabe) and self-effacing drug addict Julie (Toni Collette). Given the dearth of acting and singing experience among these players Lewis opts to translate the piece from Italian to English and stage it as a play with only a few pieces of music. The show still proves to be more than its director bargained for -- despite the dubious assistance of his friend Nick (Aden Young) an actor/director who's currently staging his own over-the-top production of Diary of a Madman. Although Cosi reteams Muriel's Wedding co-stars Collette and Griffiths their characters here never share a scene. The production also includes former Men at Work singer Colin Hay in a featured role plus cameos from Greta Scacchi and Paul Mercurio (who appeared alongside Otto in Strictly Ballroom).

In this Australian comedy , adapted by Louis Nowra from his own play and updated from a '70s to a '90s setting , a Sydney slacker gets the chance to stage an opera , but his cast is assembled from the ranks of the mentally ill. After a long stretch sponging off his law - student girlfriend Lucy ( Rachel Griffiths ), college dropout Lewis ( Ben Mendelsohn ) fakes his way into a job doing occupational therapy with a group of asylum inmates. Although his original assignment is to stage a variety show , manic - depressive patient Roy ( Barry Otto ) soon hijacks the project and convinces Lewis to helm an adaptation of his favorite opera , Mozart 's Cosi Fan Tutti . Lewis' unlikely cast ranges from psycho firebug Doug ( David Wenham ) and scruffy loudmouth Sandra ( Kerry Walker ) to depressive , dirt - obsessed Ruth ( Pamela Rabe ) and self - effacing drug addict Julie ( Toni Collette ) . Given the dearth of acting and singing experience among these players , Lewis opts to translate the piece from Italian to English and stage it as a play with only a few pieces of music. The show still proves to be more than its director bargained for -- despite the dubious assistance of his friend Nick ( Aden Young ), an actor / director who's currently staging his own over - the - top production of Diary of a Madman . Although Cosi reteams Muriel's Wedding co - stars Collette and Griffiths , their characters here never share a scene. The production also includes former Men at Work singer Colin Hay in a featured role , plus cameos from Greta Scacchi and Paul Mercurio ( who appeared alongside Otto in Strictly Ballroom ) .

Director John Duigan brings Jean Rhys' difficult 1966 best-selling novel to the screen. It's a story meant to be a prequel to Charlotte Bronte's novel Jane Eyre surmising what drove the first Mrs. Rochester mad in that novel. In Jamaica in the 1840s slavery has been recently outlawed. Plantation owner Annette Cosway (Rachel Ward) has become so poor that she marries a rich boorish Englishman whom she does not love. Her husband Paul Mason (Michael York) is a sexist racist tyrant who mistreats his servants and his wife. Paul flees to England after the servants and their countrymen revolt and burn down the mansion killing Annette's young son. Annette goes insane and is consigned to the care of a servant. Her daughter Antoinette (Karina Lombard) is placed in a convent until she is old enough to inherit the property but the inheritance depends on her marrying a proper husband. By previous arrangement she marries Edward Rochester (Nathaniel Parker). At first they are lustily in love but Rochester proves to be as elitist who is as disrespectful as Mason. Rochester has title to all of Antoinette's property but he despises Jamaica and wants to return to England. He also fears the black magic of Christophene (Claudia Robinson) who mixes up a voodoo potion which ends up driving the couple farther apart.

Director John Duigan brings Jean Rhys' difficult 1966 best - selling novel to the screen. It's a story meant to be a prequel to Charlotte Bronte's novel Jane Eyre , surmising what drove the first Mrs. Rochester mad in that novel. In Jamaica in the 1840s , slavery has been recently outlawed. Plantation owner Annette Cosway ( Rachel Ward ) has become so poor that she marries a rich , boorish Englishman whom she does not love. Her husband , Paul Mason ( Michael York ), is a sexist , racist tyrant who mistreats his servants and his wife. Paul flees to England after the servants and their countrymen revolt and burn down the mansion , killing Annette's young son. Annette goes insane and is consigned to the care of a servant. Her daughter Antoinette ( Karina Lombard ) is placed in a convent until she is old enough to inherit the property , but the inheritance depends on her marrying a proper husband. By previous arrangement , she marries Edward Rochester ( Nathaniel Parker ) . At first they are lustily in love , but Rochester proves to be as elitist who is as disrespectful as Mason. Rochester has title to all of Antoinette's property , but he despises Jamaica and wants to return to England. He also fears the black magic of Christophene ( Claudia Robinson ), who mixes up a voodoo potion which ends up driving the couple farther apart.

Heatwave is the mildly interesting story of a woman's attempt to stop a redevelopment plot which she thought was the cover-up for fraud and other criminal activity. Kate (Judy Davis) through her own efforts manages to find some evidence to support her claims and also have a romance. Davis gives an energetic performance as the crusading woman but the script lacks a convincing plot or characters. While it has some good moments Heatwave is primarily notable because it was one of the earlier efforts of Australian director Phillip Noyce who went on to make the very exciting Dead Calm.

Heatwave is the mildly interesting story of a woman's attempt to stop a redevelopment plot which she thought was the cover - up for fraud and other criminal activity. Kate ( Judy Davis ), through her own efforts , manages to find some evidence to support her claims and also have a romance. Davis gives an energetic performance as the crusading woman , but the script lacks a convincing plot or characters. While it has some good moments , Heatwave is primarily notable because it was one of the earlier efforts of Australian director Phillip Noyce , who went on to make the very exciting Dead Calm .

Isabelle Huppert plays a French woman who travels to Australia after leaving her husband. Injured in an accident Huppert is in danger of losing her sight. Her friends try to get her to "bond" with blind doctor Robert Menzies who possesses a greenhouse full of cactus. In the big "Author's Statement" scene Menzies likens his cactus to people who need special care even though they seem to bloom only when neglected. The arrival of Isabelle's husband Jean-Pierre Mignon only serves to solidify the relationship between "human cacti" Huppert and Menzies.

Isabelle Huppert plays a French woman who travels to Australia after leaving her husband. Injured in an accident , Huppert is in danger of losing her sight. Her friends try to get her to "bond" with blind doctor Robert Menzies , who possesses a greenhouse full of cactus. In the big "Author's Statement" scene , Menzies likens his cactus to people who need special care , even though they seem to bloom only when neglected. The arrival of Isabelle's husband Jean - Pierre Mignon only serves to solidify the relationship between "human cacti" Huppert and Menzies .

Action and comedy are served in equal portions in this Australian crime thriller. Jimmy (Heath Ledger) is a 19-year-old living in Sydney who is somehow asked to run an errand for local underworld kingpin Pando (Bryan Brown). Before Jimmy knows what's happened he owes Pando $10000 and finds the gangster's muscle men are out for his blood. Jimmy attempts to stage a bank robbery to recover the loot with disastrous results; when he has a spare moment he tries to win the heart of Alex (Rose Byrne) a pretty girl from the country. This slam-bang entertainment was an uncharacteristic entry in the 1999 Sundance Film Festival where it received its U.S. premiere.

Action and comedy are served in equal portions in this Australian crime thriller. Jimmy ( Heath Ledger ) is a 19 - year - old living in Sydney who is somehow asked to run an errand for local underworld kingpin Pando ( Bryan Brown ) . Before Jimmy knows what's happened , he owes Pando $10 , 000 , and finds the gangster's muscle men are out for his blood. Jimmy attempts to stage a bank robbery to recover the loot , with disastrous results ; when he has a spare moment , he tries to win the heart of Alex ( Rose Byrne ), a pretty girl from the country. This slam - bang entertainment was an uncharacteristic entry in the 1999 Sundance Film Festival , where it received its U.S. premiere.

After his Oscar-winning performance in Shine Geoffrey Rush returned to the screen in this Australian comedy as a power-crazed politician federal treasurer Godfrey Usher. Scientist Richard Shorkinghorn (David Wenham) needs cash to continue his research into age reversal. Applying for a grant he's invited by philanthropic Grace Michael (Heather Mitchell) to her country estate where he discovers his former lover and past assistant Kate Haslett (Francis O'Connor) has an identical project and grant request. Grace they learn is married to Godfrey Usher given to frivolity and alcohol. Further their weekend takes a devilish turn and really heats up after they discover that Grace and Godfrey are both Satanists. Some three years later Usher is installed as the prime minister of Australia. Director Peter Duncan (Children of the Revolution) appears in a cameo as a defense attorney.

After his Oscar - winning performance in Shine , Geoffrey Rush returned to the screen in this Australian comedy as a power - crazed politician , federal treasurer Godfrey Usher. Scientist Richard Shorkinghorn ( David Wenham ) needs cash to continue his research into age reversal. Applying for a grant , he's invited by philanthropic Grace Michael ( Heather Mitchell ) to her country estate , where he discovers his former lover and past assistant Kate Haslett ( Francis O'Connor ) has an identical project and grant request. Grace , they learn , is married to Godfrey Usher , given to frivolity and alcohol. Further , their weekend takes a devilish turn and really heats up after they discover that Grace and Godfrey are both Satanists. Some three years later , Usher is installed as the prime minister of Australia. Director Peter Duncan ( Children of the Revolution ) appears in a cameo as a defense attorney.

Guy (Richard Roxburgh) a lonely bachelor meets the woman of his dreams in Lizzie (Cate Blanchett) an impossibly beautiful doctor with elegance style and sophistication. Their six-week courtship leads to marriage and the wedding is a big one with 100 guests and a posh reception that never ends. It's during the reception that Guy begins to have flashbacks -- and second thoughts -- about Jenny (Frances O'Connor) the free-spirited woman who was his first love and who is the opposite of Lizzie. The more he thinks about warm and fun-loving Jenny the more he sees Lizzie as cold and remote. Although it's a little late in the game to be getting cold feet that's exactly what Guy has.

Guy ( Richard Roxburgh ), a lonely bachelor , meets the woman of his dreams in Lizzie ( Cate Blanchett ), an impossibly beautiful doctor with elegance , style , and sophistication. Their six - week courtship leads to marriage , and the wedding is a big one , with 100 guests and a posh reception that never ends. It's during the reception that Guy begins to have flashbacks -- and second thoughts -- about Jenny ( Frances O'Connor ), the free - spirited woman who was his first love and who is the opposite of Lizzie. The more he thinks about warm and fun - loving Jenny , the more he sees Lizzie as cold and remote. Although it's a little late in the game to be getting cold feet , that's exactly what Guy has.

In this small Australian comedy Michael Caton stars as Darryl Kerrigan a contented mildly eccentric family man with an easy laugh and a quick compliment for his wife's cooking. Darryl his wife and his four children live in domestic bliss in a ramshackle yet proud domicile neighboring the airport. But that serenity is threatened when the government issues a compulsory acquisition order which means the Kerrigans must vacate their home to make way for an airport expansion project. And even though he makes a hobby of buying useless junk as long as he gets it for bargain price no amount of compensation money will convince Darryl to relinquish his "castle" which stores the family's collective memories and symbolizes their unique character. Darryl organizes the other affected neighbors hires a bumbling attorney/family friend and pursues his battle in court. However he soon discovers he needs more than gumption and spitfire earnestness to support a case in front of the magistrates of Australia's high courts. The Castle was the first feature for director Rob Sitch (The Dish) who rose to prominence directing episodes of the satirical Australian television series Frontline.

In this small Australian comedy , Michael Caton stars as Darryl Kerrigan , a contented , mildly eccentric family man with an easy laugh and a quick compliment for his wife's cooking. Darryl , his wife , and his four children live in domestic bliss in a ramshackle yet proud domicile neighboring the airport. But that serenity is threatened when the government issues a compulsory acquisition order , which means the Kerrigans must vacate their home to make way for an airport expansion project. And even though he makes a hobby of buying useless junk as long as he gets it for bargain price , no amount of compensation money will convince Darryl to relinquish his "castle , " which stores the family's collective memories and symbolizes their unique character. Darryl organizes the other affected neighbors , hires a bumbling attorney / family friend , and pursues his battle in court. However , he soon discovers he needs more than gumption and spitfire earnestness to support a case in front of the magistrates of Australia's high courts. The Castle was the first feature for director Rob Sitch ( The Dish ), who rose to prominence directing episodes of the satirical Australian television series Frontline .

The life of legendary scientist Albert Einstein is re-imagined as a slapstick farce in this comic fantasy. Changing Einstein's country of origin from Germany to Tasmania the film shows the scientist's eventful youth as he creates rock & roll and discovers the secret of splitting the beer atom. Director and star Yahoo Serious loads the film with slapstick comedy absurd sight gags and even sneaks in a romantic subplot in which Einstein courts Marie Curie. The film was a huge hit in its native Australia but a major box-office disappointment in the United States where audiences largely ignored the display of nonstop silliness.

The life of legendary scientist Albert Einstein is re - imagined as a slapstick farce in this comic fantasy. Changing Einstein 's country of origin from Germany to Tasmania , the film shows the scientist's eventful youth as he creates rock & roll and discovers the secret of splitting the beer atom. Director and star Yahoo Serious loads the film with slapstick comedy , absurd sight gags , and even sneaks in a romantic subplot in which Einstein courts Marie Curie. The film was a huge hit in its native Australia but a major box - office disappointment in the United States , where audiences largely ignored the display of nonstop silliness.

This first effort from acclaimed writer/director Peter Weir is set in the secluded rural town of Paris Australia where the chief source of income is provided by the orchestration of automobile accidents -- which frequently claim the lives of passing tourists though those who survive are usually subjected to bizarre brain experiments by a loony local surgeon. One such unfortunate survivor is young Arthur who remains in Paris after his recovery to work in the hospital unaware (at first) of the circumstances which brought him there. Although there are many amusingly weird moments this black comedy is a bit too deadpan for its own good and may be too talky and meandering for horror fans. A condensed version was released in the U.S. under the title The Cars That Eat People.

This first effort from acclaimed writer / director Peter Weir is set in the secluded rural town of Paris , Australia , where the chief source of income is provided by the orchestration of automobile accidents -- which frequently claim the lives of passing tourists , though those who survive are usually subjected to bizarre brain experiments by a loony local surgeon. One such unfortunate survivor is young Arthur , who remains in Paris after his recovery to work in the hospital , unaware ( at first ) of the circumstances which brought him there. Although there are many amusingly weird moments , this black comedy is a bit too deadpan for its own good and may be too talky and meandering for horror fans. A condensed version was released in the U.S. under the title The Cars That Eat People .

A naive girl's love for Switzerland is put to the test in this satiric comedy. Irina (Yelena Panova) is a woman from Russia who all her life has always been fascinated by Switzerland and longs to live there some day though her notion of Swiss life has more to do with Heidi and old movies set in the Alps than reality. So when fashion designer Charlotte De (Geraldine Chaplin) and lawyer Alfred Waldvogel (Ulrich Noethen) offer Irina a chance to live in Switzerland and gain the Swiss passport she's always dreamed of she leaps at the chance. Never mind that she's actually working for them as a prostitute catering to the sexual appetites of the slimier members of the Swiss upper crust -- she's simply delighted to be there and nothing bothers her a bit. However just as Irina's about to gain her cherished passport her "sponsors" decide she's outlived her usefulness and send her back home. She responds by blowing the whistle on Charlotte and Alfred which in turn sends a shock wave through the nation's social and political foundations. Beresina was noted for its barbed wit clever production design and a fine comic performance by Yelena Panova when it was screened in the "Un Certain Regard" category at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.

A naive girl's love for Switzerland is put to the test in this satiric comedy. Irina ( Yelena Panova ) is a woman from Russia who all her life has always been fascinated by Switzerland and longs to live there some day , though her notion of Swiss life has more to do with Heidi and old movies set in the Alps than reality. So when fashion designer Charlotte De ( Geraldine Chaplin ) and lawyer Alfred Waldvogel ( Ulrich Noethen ) offer Irina a chance to live in Switzerland and gain the Swiss passport she's always dreamed of , she leaps at the chance. Never mind that she's actually working for them as a prostitute , catering to the sexual appetites of the slimier members of the Swiss upper crust -- she's simply delighted to be there and nothing bothers her a bit. However , just as Irina's about to gain her cherished passport , her "sponsors" decide she's outlived her usefulness and send her back home. She responds by blowing the whistle on Charlotte and Alfred , which in turn sends a shock wave through the nation's social and political foundations. Beresina was noted for its barbed wit , clever production design , and a fine comic performance by Yelena Panova when it was screened in the "Un Certain Regard" category at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival .

The second film in the trilogy made by director Istvan Szabo and actor Klaus Maria Brandauer -- hammocked between Mephisto and Hanussen -- Colonel Redl continues Mephisto's fascination with a man overwhelmed by history. In that film Brandauer played an actor who tried to ignore the rise of the Third Reich and here he's an ambitious military officer in pre-World War I Austria whose career path is set early on. In military school he's forced to inform on a student who's the source of a practical joke; though he beats himself up for being a Judas he soon realizes that to rise in the ranks he must overcome his peasant background and hide his homosexuality by ingratiating himself with his superiors. In time he becomes Chief of Military Intelligence for the Austro-Hungarian empire. Though he professes to hate politics and politicians Redl also can't avoid them. When the leader for whom Redl is supposedly spying among the officer corps draws up a list of who can't be exposed for traitorous activities (including Austrian nobles Hungarians Czechs Serbs Croatians and even the usual scapegoats Jews -- the aftershocks of the Dreyfuss affair are still rumbling) he tells Redl that he must find a double of himself a Ukrainian. Now certain that he will be exposed Redl surrenders to fate quoting to his wife from Montaigne: "It's no sin to be involved. It's a sin to remain involved." Brandauer is a wonder as the self-loathing Redl and Szabo's camera picks up every nuance on his expressive face. The film eschews music except for several party scenes and the absence of a score is most effective in the final shots of Redl's fellow officers awaiting his fate.

The second film in the trilogy made by director Istvan Szabo and actor Klaus Maria Brandauer -- hammocked between Mephisto and Hanussen -- Colonel Redl continues Mephisto 's fascination with a man overwhelmed by history. In that film , Brandauer played an actor who tried to ignore the rise of the Third Reich , and here he's an ambitious military officer in pre - World War I Austria whose career path is set early on. In military school , he's forced to inform on a student who's the source of a practical joke ; though he beats himself up for being a Judas , he soon realizes that to rise in the ranks he must overcome his peasant background and hide his homosexuality by ingratiating himself with his superiors. In time , he becomes Chief of Military Intelligence for the Austro - Hungarian empire. Though he professes to hate politics and politicians , Redl also can't avoid them. When the leader for whom Redl is supposedly spying among the officer corps , draws up a list of who can't be exposed for traitorous activities ( including Austrian nobles , Hungarians , Czechs , Serbs , Croatians , and even the usual scapegoats , Jews -- the aftershocks of the Dreyfuss affair are still rumbling ), he tells Redl that he must find a double of himself , a Ukrainian. Now certain that he will be exposed , Redl surrenders to fate , quoting to his wife from Montaigne : "It's no sin to be involved. It's a sin to remain involved." Brandauer is a wonder as the self - loathing Redl , and Szabo 's camera picks up every nuance on his expressive face. The film eschews music except for several party scenes , and the absence of a score is most effective in the final shots of Redl's fellow officers awaiting his fate.

In an Austrian farming village during the '30s narrator Severin (Lars Rudolph) watches an old woman Rosalind (Elisabeth Orth) visit the bed of sleeping farmhand Lukas (Simon Schwarz). Rosalind is accused when the owner of the farm is found dead. Local farmers believe his land will be divided among them since he had no heirs but his will states that both farm and livestock are left to his peasant workers. When the seven peasants decide not to sell they join the ranks of the landed gentry. The community's established farmers led by Danninger (Ulrich Wildgruber) first attack the seven peasants with slander and ridicule and then turn violent. Shot in Super 16 with a blowup to 35mm this film had its world premiere at the 1998 Rotterdam Film Festival where it won a Tiger Award.

In an Austrian farming village during the '30s , narrator Severin ( Lars Rudolph ) watches an old woman , Rosalind ( Elisabeth Orth ) visit the bed of sleeping farmhand Lukas ( Simon Schwarz ) . Rosalind is accused when the owner of the farm is found dead. Local farmers believe his land will be divided among them , since he had no heirs , but his will states that both farm and livestock are left to his peasant workers. When the seven peasants decide not to sell , they join the ranks of the landed gentry. The community's established farmers , led by Danninger ( Ulrich Wildgruber ), first attack the seven peasants with slander and ridicule and then turn violent. Shot in Super 16 with a blowup to 35mm , this film had its world premiere at the 1998 Rotterdam Film Festival where it won a Tiger Award.

ased on fact The Boat is Full is set during World War II. A group of Jewish refugees desperately attempt to escape to the safety of neutral Switzerland. The problem: too many refugees and too little room in the boat commissioned for the trip. Director Markus Imhoof is neither a polished nor a subtle filmmaker nor is the acting of the highest calibre. This hardly matters: the intensity and sincerity of everyone involved in The Boat is Full compensates for any and all production crudities.

Based on fact , The Boat is Full is set during World War II. A group of Jewish refugees desperately attempt to escape to the safety of neutral Switzerland. The problem : too many refugees , and too little room in the boat commissioned for the trip. Director Markus Imhoof is neither a polished nor a subtle filmmaker , nor is the acting of the highest calibre. This hardly matters : the intensity and sincerity of everyone involved in The Boat is Full compensates for any and all production crudities.

In this drama two people discover that it's not as simple as they thought to have a purely sexual relationship. A man and woman in their early 40s (Nathalie Baye and Sergi Lopez) are introduced to each other through a personal ad and agree to meet once a week for a sexual liaison. The meetings are meant to be exciting but impersonal; they agree that they won't exchange names or ask questions about their lives outside this relationship. They also don't engage in convention though we're never told (or shown) just what the couple is sharing instead. However as the weeks go by a bond grows between them and after several weeks he proposes that they have dinner together before retiring to their hotel room; a few months down the road she suggests that they should try making love in the traditional manner for the first time. These events bring them closer together but they also change the tenor of their relationship; this change is symbolized most clearly when a man collapses in the hallway outside their motel room and together they take him to a hospital. Une Liaison Pornographique was screened at the 1999 Venice and Toronto Film Festivals.

In this drama , two people discover that it's not as simple as they thought to have a purely sexual relationship. A man and woman in their early 40s ( Nathalie Baye and Sergi Lopez ), are introduced to each other through a personal ad and agree to meet once a week for a sexual liaison. The meetings are meant to be exciting but impersonal ; they agree that they won't exchange names or ask questions about their lives outside this relationship. They also don't engage in convention , though we're never told ( or shown ) just what the couple is sharing instead. However , as the weeks go by , a bond grows between them , and after several weeks he proposes that they have dinner together before retiring to their hotel room ; a few months down the road , she suggests that they should try making love in the traditional manner for the first time. These events bring them closer together , but they also change the tenor of their relationship ; this change is symbolized most clearly when a man collapses in the hallway outside their motel room and together they take him to a hospital. Une Liaison Pornographique was screened at the 1999 Venice and Toronto Film Festivals .

From the directors of the critically acclaimed La Promesse (1996) comes this stark portrayal of a young woman coming of age at the edge of social oblivion. Rosetta (Émilie Dequenne) lives in a tiny beat-up trailer without toilets or running water with her alcoholic irresponsible and utterly dispirited mother who requires her frequent care. Rosetta longs to have a "normal" life and become a productive member of society but even this modest goal seems beyond her grasp. Quietly terrified that she will slide into the abyss like her mother she wages a desperate purely instinctive battle to lift herself out of her wretched semi-feral existence. At the film's outset she is bodily removed from her job at a food factory; for much of the rest of the film her attempts to gain employment are thwarted by the callousness and indifference of others. The only person to show any kind of sympathy is Riquet (Fabrizio Rongione) who ekes out a pittance at a waffle stand while secretly skimming profits from his boss. Though his awkward attempts to gain her interest go unacknowledged by the barely socialized Rosetta the two develop something like a friendship. Later in the movie however her loyalty to her new-found friend clashes with her all-consuming desire for a job. First-time actress Dequenne who spent time in a similarly harsh environment to prepare for the role won the Best Actress prize at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival. This film also won the coveted Palme d'Or at Cannes and was screened at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival.

From the directors of the critically acclaimed La Promesse ( 1996 ) comes this stark portrayal of a young woman coming of age at the edge of social oblivion. Rosetta ( Émilie Dequenne ) lives in a tiny , beat - up trailer without toilets or running water with her alcoholic , irresponsible , and utterly dispirited mother , who requires her frequent care. Rosetta longs to have a "normal" life and become a productive member of society , but even this modest goal seems beyond her grasp. Quietly terrified that she will slide into the abyss like her mother , she wages a desperate , purely instinctive battle to lift herself out of her wretched , semi - feral existence. At the film's outset , she is bodily removed from her job at a food factory ; for much of the rest of the film , her attempts to gain employment are thwarted by the callousness and indifference of others. The only person to show any kind of sympathy is Riquet ( Fabrizio Rongione ), who ekes out a pittance at a waffle stand while secretly skimming profits from his boss. Though his awkward attempts to gain her interest go unacknowledged by the barely socialized Rosetta , the two develop something like a friendship. Later in the movie , however , her loyalty to her new - found friend clashes with her all - consuming desire for a job. First - time actress Dequenne , who spent time in a similarly harsh environment to prepare for the role , won the Best Actress prize at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival . This film also won the coveted Palme d'Or at Cannes and was screened at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival .

oys will be boys and girls will be girls but one child isn't so sure in this Belgian comedy drama. 7-year-old Ludovic (Georges DuFresne) is happy healthy and good-natured but there's a bit of a problem -- he has decided that he's a girl. While his parents Hanna (Michele Laroque) and Pierre (Jean-Philippe Ecoffey) try to understand Ludovic stubbornly refuses to listen to reason from his parents teachers or schoolmates. His fondness for wearing girl's clothes and frequent pronouncements to strangers that he's going to be a woman when he grows up become increasingly worrying and things come to a head when Ludovic declares that when he's older he plans to marry Jerome (Julien Riviere) the boy next door. It hardly helps that Pierre's boss Albert (Daniel Hanssens) is also Jerome's father and that he's notoriously closed-minded about gender issues. Will Pierre keep his job? Will the stress spoil Pierre and Hanna's marriage? And will Ludovic find the right shade of lipstick? Ma Vie En Rose was the first feature for director and screenwriter Alain Berliner.

Boys will be boys and girls will be girls , but one child isn't so sure in this Belgian comedy drama. 7 - year - old Ludovic ( Georges DuFresne ) is happy , healthy , and good - natured , but there's a bit of a problem -- he has decided that he's a girl. While his parents Hanna ( Michele Laroque ) and Pierre ( Jean - Philippe Ecoffey ) try to understand , Ludovic stubbornly refuses to listen to reason from his parents , teachers , or schoolmates. His fondness for wearing girl's clothes and frequent pronouncements to strangers that he's going to be a woman when he grows up become increasingly worrying , and things come to a head when Ludovic declares that when he's older , he plans to marry Jerome ( Julien Riviere ), the boy next door. It hardly helps that Pierre's boss , Albert ( Daniel Hanssens ), is also Jerome's father , and that he's notoriously closed - minded about gender issues. Will Pierre keep his job? Will the stress spoil Pierre and Hanna's marriage? And will Ludovic find the right shade of lipstick? Ma Vie En Rose was the first feature for director and screenwriter Alain Berliner .

This Academy Award-nominated Belgian drama follows a late 19th-century priest's courageous battle to end the exploitation of child workers in Aalst Belgium. Father Daens' crusade begins shortly after he is transferred to the impoverished Belgian region. Aghast at the working conditions he sees in area mills Daens publishes an inflammatory letter in his brother's newspaper. Among his many accusations and condemnations are those that not only children such as the little girl Nini are being overworked in unhealthy conditions they are also being sexually abused by supervisors. The workers launch a widespread public outcry that is immediately quelled by the upper-class mill owners who fire all rebels and hire more children and women (at even lower wages) in their place. Thus begins a long tragic battle between Daens and the poor and Belgium's ruling class. Aided by the Church itself the monarches and the rich prevail leaving Daens disillusioned and just as impoverished as those for whom he has sacrificed everything.

This Academy Award - nominated Belgian drama follows a late 19th - century priest's courageous battle to end the exploitation of child workers in Aalst , Belgium. Father Daens' crusade begins shortly after he is transferred to the impoverished Belgian region. Aghast at the working conditions he sees in area mills , Daens publishes an inflammatory letter in his brother's newspaper. Among his many accusations and condemnations are those that not only children such as the little girl Nini are being overworked in unhealthy conditions , they are also being sexually abused by supervisors. The workers launch a widespread public outcry that is immediately quelled by the upper - class mill owners who fire all rebels and hire more children and women ( at even lower wages ) in their place. Thus begins a long , tragic battle between Daens and the poor and Belgium's ruling class. Aided by the Church itself , the monarches and the rich prevail , leaving Daens disillusioned and just as impoverished as those for whom he has sacrificed everything.

Former circus performer Jaco Van Dormael made his feature-film directing bow with the Belgian/French/German coproduction Toto Le Héros. The title character is an fictional supersecret agent idolized by a young boy named Thomas. The lad aspires to become Toto when he grows up; but thanks to a kaleidoscope of flashbacks and flashforwards we know that he'll end up ordinary and unfulfilled. The film hopscotches between the Three Ages of Thomas: wide-eyed youngster mediocrity-mired adult bitter old man. The elder Thomas has never gotten over his childhood traumas and hatreds. He was always jealous of his wealthy boyhood friend Alfred fantasizing that he and his chum were switched at birth. At the end the aged Thomas escapes from a senior citizens' home -- an act which leads to Fate dealing its final ironic blow.

Former circus performer Jaco Van Dormael made his feature - film directing bow with the Belgian / French / German coproduction Toto Le Héros . The title character is an fictional supersecret agent , idolized by a young boy named Thomas. The lad aspires to become Toto when he grows up ; but thanks to a kaleidoscope of flashbacks and flashforwards , we know that he'll end up ordinary and unfulfilled. The film hopscotches between the Three Ages of Thomas : wide - eyed youngster , mediocrity - mired adult , bitter old man. The elder Thomas has never gotten over his childhood traumas and hatreds. He was always jealous of his wealthy boyhood friend Alfred , fantasizing that he and his chum were switched at birth. At the end , the aged Thomas escapes from a senior citizens' home -- an act which leads to Fate dealing its final ironic blow.

Man Bites Dog is a Belgian faux-documentary and high-concept satire of media violence which follows the lethal exploits of Benoit Benoit Poelvoorde an affable and very talkative serial killer. He kills for money and he kills for pleasure and he talks all the while about philosophy and the proper technique for weighing a corpse down underwater. He is followed through his slaughter-fest by the filmmakers Rémy and André (the actual filmmakers Rémy Belvaux and André Bonzel) and the line between reporter and subject becomes blurred pretty quickly. The filmmakers become more and more involved in Benoit's actions starting with the relatively innocent act of holding a flashlight for him. Eventually when their funding runs out Benoit hires them to continue making the film and soon they are accomplices in a gang rape. While this film has the subtlety of a sledgehammer its message rings true: the media tend to become part of the stories they report upon as surely as a physicist changes a wave by looking at it.

Man Bites Dog is a Belgian faux - documentary and high - concept satire of media violence which follows the lethal exploits of Benoit Benoit Poelvoorde , an affable , and very talkative , serial killer. He kills for money , and he kills for pleasure , and he talks all the while about philosophy and the proper technique for weighing a corpse down underwater. He is followed through his slaughter - fest by the filmmakers , Rémy and André ( the actual filmmakers , Rémy Belvaux and André Bonzel ), and the line between reporter and subject becomes blurred pretty quickly. The filmmakers become more and more involved in Benoit's actions , starting with the relatively innocent act of holding a flashlight for him. Eventually , when their funding runs out , Benoit hires them to continue making the film , and soon they are accomplices in a gang rape. While this film has the subtlety of a sledgehammer , its message rings true : the media tend to become part of the stories they report upon as surely as a physicist changes a wave by looking at it.

A Michel Tournier short story is the source for this expressionistic Belgian-French-Italian comedy-drama filmed in black-and-white with French dialogue. Lucien L'Hotte (Jean-Yves Thual) a dwarf who works for a law firm is befriended by circus trapeze artist Isis (Dyna Gauzy) who views him as her guardian angel. Minus love Lucien writes and mails letters to upset the marriages of others. His company's number one client divorced vocalist Paola Bendoni (Anita Ekberg) vamps him at her villa and their affair begins. But her later rejection doesn't sit well so he creeps into her house strangles her and frames her dullard husband (Arno Chevrier) for the deed. Shown in the Directors Fortnight section at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.

A Michel Tournier short story is the source for this expressionistic Belgian - French - Italian comedy - drama , filmed in black - and - white with French dialogue. Lucien L'Hotte ( Jean - Yves Thual ), a dwarf who works for a law firm , is befriended by circus trapeze artist Isis ( Dyna Gauzy ), who views him as her guardian angel. Minus love , Lucien writes and mails letters to upset the marriages of others. His company's number one client , divorced vocalist Paola Bendoni ( Anita Ekberg ) vamps him at her villa , and their affair begins. But her later rejection doesn't sit well , so he creeps into her house , strangles her , and frames her dullard husband ( Arno Chevrier ) for the deed. Shown in the Directors Fortnight section at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.

In this sharp satire famed Flemish provocateur and first-time director Jan Bucquoy pokes fun at Belgian provincialism by ruthlessly re-telling the autobiographical story of a clueless young bumpkin who tries to keep up with times but always manages to be a few frustrating steps behind -- something reflected by the decidedly dark and unglamorous settings in which he appears. His anti-climactic life unfolds episodically via flashback and is told with a blend of fantasy and reality. The first segments begin in the repressive '50s when Jan grew up with a penurious emotionally distant mother and a self-absorbed father. During the tumultuous '60s Jan goes to Brussels to launch a brilliant writing career. Awed by the city's seemingly endless sophistication with its political activists and sexual freedom the naïve Jan feels at last he has found his proper venue. But while he freely samples the fruits of the decade he somehow remains a passive outsider; neither free enough to be a great lover nor passionate enough to be a convincing political activist. The '70s dawn and with nothing meaningful left to do Jan embraces the mundane realities of bourgeoise life. While the story's satire may not translate well outside the Gallic world it was an enormous hit in Belgium in 1994.

In this sharp satire , famed Flemish provocateur and first - time director Jan Bucquoy pokes fun at Belgian provincialism by ruthlessly re - telling the autobiographical story of a clueless young bumpkin who tries to keep up with times but always manages to be a few frustrating steps behind -- something reflected by the decidedly dark and unglamorous settings in which he appears. His anti - climactic life unfolds episodically via flashback and is told with a blend of fantasy and reality. The first segments begin in the repressive '50s when Jan grew up with a penurious , emotionally distant mother and a self - absorbed father. During the tumultuous '60s , Jan goes to Brussels to launch a brilliant writing career. Awed by the city's seemingly endless sophistication with its political activists and sexual freedom , the naïve Jan feels at last he has found his proper venue. But while he freely samples the fruits of the decade , he somehow remains a passive outsider ; neither free enough to be a great lover , nor passionate enough to be a convincing political activist. The '70s dawn and with nothing meaningful left to do , Jan embraces the mundane realities of bourgeoise life. While the story's satire may not translate well outside the Gallic world , it was an enormous hit in Belgium in 1994.

The title character in the Belgian-French The Music Teacher is a retired opera star played by Jose Van Dam. The teacher's most gifted pupil is singer/musician Anne Roussel. Her love for her teacher is one of the motivating factors of the story as is Roussel and Van Dam's relationship with another pupil petty thief Philippe Volter. Complicating matters is one of Van Dam's old enemies who endeavors to exploit the talents of the pupils. Written and directed by Gerard Corbiau The Music Teacher unfortunately drags whenever the principals stop singing and start talking. But what singing! And what cinematography! Small wonder that this film was nominated for a "Best Foreign Picture" Academy Award.

The title character in the Belgian - French The Music Teacher is a retired opera star , played by Jose Van Dam . The teacher's most gifted pupil is singer / musician Anne Roussel . Her love for her teacher is one of the motivating factors of the story , as is Roussel and Van Dam's relationship with another pupil , petty thief Philippe Volter . Complicating matters is one of Van Dam's old enemies , who endeavors to exploit the talents of the pupils. Written and directed by Gerard Corbiau , The Music Teacher unfortunately drags whenever the principals stop singing and start talking. But what singing! And what cinematography! Small wonder that this film was nominated for a "Best Foreign Picture" Academy Award.

Former documentary filmmaker Walter Salles (Foreign Land) directed this Brazilian-French road movie tracing the travels and travails of a young boy and an aging woman across the Brazilian landscape. In Rio de Janeiro's central railroad station callous Dora (leading Brazilian stage/screen actress Fernanda Montenegro) works at a stand where she writes letters for a parade of poor and illiterate. Some of these remain undelivered because she chooses not to mail all of the letters. One of her customers is a woman whose nine-year-old son Josue (Vinicius de Oliveira) hopes to see the father he has never met but after the mother dictates two letters to the father she's killed when hit by a bus. Since Josue is left homeless Dora reluctantly takes him home to her small apartment overlooking the railroad tracks where she sometimes spends time with her neighbor Irene (Marilia Pera). Dora places Josue with people who claim to find adoptive parents. When Irene informs her they actually sell children who are then killed for their organs Dora rescues Josue and the two board a bus. After a failed attempt to abandon Josue at a roadside stop Dora and Josue hitch a ride from a religious truck driver. Failing to locate his father they arrive penniless at a huge rural religious convocation where Josue suggests Dora bring her letter-writing skills back into play. The notion works and Dora profits by writing letters to saints for the more devout among the assembled multitudes. Continuing on they arrive at a sprawling-mass housing development -- and hopefully a solution to the problem of a family for Josue. Young actor de Oliveira was a shoeshine boy who beat out more than 1500 other children who auditioned or were interviewed for the Josue role. Made with grants from the Sundance Institute NHK and the French Ministry of Culture this film was shown at 1998 film festivals (Sundance Berlin).

Former documentary filmmaker Walter Salles ( Foreign Land ) directed this Brazilian - French road movie tracing the travels and travails of a young boy and an aging woman across the Brazilian landscape. In Rio de Janeiro's central railroad station , callous Dora ( leading Brazilian stage / screen actress Fernanda Montenegro ) works at a stand where she writes letters for a parade of poor and illiterate. Some of these remain undelivered because she chooses not to mail all of the letters. One of her customers is a woman whose nine - year - old son , Josue ( Vinicius de Oliveira ), hopes to see the father he has never met , but after the mother dictates two letters to the father , she's killed when hit by a bus. Since Josue is left homeless , Dora reluctantly takes him home to her small apartment overlooking the railroad tracks , where she sometimes spends time with her neighbor Irene ( Marilia Pera ) . Dora places Josue with people who claim to find adoptive parents. When Irene informs her they actually sell children who are then killed for their organs , Dora rescues Josue , and the two board a bus. After a failed attempt to abandon Josue at a roadside stop , Dora and Josue hitch a ride from a religious truck driver. Failing to locate his father , they arrive penniless at a huge rural religious convocation , where Josue suggests Dora bring her letter - writing skills back into play. The notion works , and Dora profits by writing letters to saints for the more devout among the assembled multitudes. Continuing on , they arrive at a sprawling - mass housing development -- and hopefully , a solution to the problem of a family for Josue. Young actor de Oliveira was a shoeshine boy who beat out more than 1 , 500 other children who auditioned or were interviewed for the Josue role. Made with grants from the Sundance Institute , NHK , and the French Ministry of Culture , this film was shown at 1998 film festivals ( Sundance , Berlin ) .

Political prisoner Valentin Arregui (Raul Julia) and homosexual pederast Luis Molina (William Hurt) share a Brazilian prison cell in this fantastical drama from the book by Manuel Puig. Sensitive and flamboyant Molina helps pass the time by recounting memories from one of his favorite films a wartime romantic thriller that just may also be a Nazi propaganda film. He weaves the characters into an ongoing narrative meant to spur Valentin's imagination and distract him from the brutal realities of political imprisonment and separation from the woman he loves. Hard around the edges and willing to die for his political principles Valentin nonetheless allows Molina to penetrate some of his defensive shell. An odd friendship forms between the two vastly different prisoners the dreamer and the activist. As the narrative unfolds it becomes clear that Valentin is being poisoned by his captors to compel him to reveal names and secrets and that Molina may have other agendas that belie his honesty and openness with Valentin. The intense character study builds toward a surprising conclusion. Kiss of the Spider Woman received Oscar nominations for best picture best director and best adapted screenplay and Hurt took home the best actor trophy for his portrayal of the soulful and conflicted Molina. The film was later adapted into a Broadway musical.

Political prisoner Valentin Arregui ( Raul Julia ) and homosexual pederast Luis Molina ( William Hurt ) share a Brazilian prison cell in this fantastical drama from the book by Manuel Puig . Sensitive and flamboyant , Molina helps pass the time by recounting memories from one of his favorite films , a wartime romantic thriller that just may also be a Nazi propaganda film. He weaves the characters into an ongoing narrative meant to spur Valentin's imagination and distract him from the brutal realities of political imprisonment and separation from the woman he loves. Hard around the edges , and willing to die for his political principles , Valentin nonetheless allows Molina to penetrate some of his defensive shell. An odd friendship forms between the two vastly different prisoners , the dreamer and the activist. As the narrative unfolds , it becomes clear that Valentin is being poisoned by his captors , to compel him to reveal names and secrets , and that Molina may have other agendas that belie his honesty and openness with Valentin. The intense character study builds toward a surprising conclusion. Kiss of the Spider Woman received Oscar nominations for best picture , best director and best adapted screenplay , and Hurt took home the best actor trophy for his portrayal of the soulful and conflicted Molina. The film was later adapted into a Broadway musical.

runo Barreto returned to his native Brazil after a ten-year absence to direct this fact-based political thriller that was nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. Pedro Cardoso stars as Rio de Janeiro journalist Fernando Gabeira who decides with his friend Cesar (Selton Mello) to take up arms with a radical leftist organization MR-8 in 1969. The revolutionaries who include the tough-talking and beautiful Maria (Fernanda Torres) are fighting to overthrow Brazil's brutal military government through civil unrest and guerilla tactics. Their first action the robbery of a bank is successful although one group member is captured and tortured by Henrique (Marco Ricca) a secret service agent plagued by his conscience. As a follow-up to the heist the MR-8 members kidnap the U.S. ambassador to Brazil Charles Burke Elbrick (Alan Arkin). During four days of captivity however the kidnappers discover that their prisoner is a good-hearted man of conscience causing Fernando to become increasingly uneasy about the group's plan to kill Elbrick if a demand for the release of political prisoners goes unheeded. O Que E Isso Companheiro? (1997) was based on Gabeira's book of the same name but was released in the U.S. under the title Four Days in September.

Bruno Barreto returned to his native Brazil after a ten - year absence to direct this fact - based political thriller that was nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. Pedro Cardoso stars as Rio de Janeiro journalist Fernando Gabeira , who decides with his friend Cesar ( Selton Mello ) to take up arms with a radical leftist organization , MR - 8 , in 1969. The revolutionaries , who include the tough - talking and beautiful Maria ( Fernanda Torres ), are fighting to overthrow Brazil's brutal military government through civil unrest and guerilla tactics. Their first action , the robbery of a bank , is successful , although one group member is captured and tortured by Henrique ( Marco Ricca ), a secret service agent plagued by his conscience. As a follow - up to the heist , the MR - 8 members kidnap the U.S. ambassador to Brazil , Charles Burke Elbrick ( Alan Arkin ) . During four days of captivity , however , the kidnappers discover that their prisoner is a good - hearted man of conscience , causing Fernando to become increasingly uneasy about the group's plan to kill Elbrick if a demand for the release of political prisoners goes unheeded. O Que E Isso , Companheiro? ( 1997 ) was based on Gabeira's book of the same name but was released in the U.S. under the title Four Days in September .

ased on Time Krabbe's The Golden Egg The Vanishing is a deeply disturbing psychological thriller about a young man's search for his girlfriend after she disappears at a rest stop during a short trip. Over the course of three years the man obsessively searches for her using his spare time to put up posters and leave handbills hoping that someone will give him a clue to the mystery surrounding her disappearance. The kidnapper having watched the man for some time is intrigued by his increasing obsession and finally contacts him. He then gives the man the opportunity to learn firsthand of his girlfriend's fate. The film frightening and moving with a chilling conclusion is a small masterpiece as director George Sluizer confronts and examines the true nature of evil and obsession. Sluizer remade The Vanishing in an American version four years after the release of the original Dutch film inexplicably changing the shocking ending which gave the original film such power.

Based on Time Krabbe's The Golden Egg , The Vanishing is a deeply disturbing psychological thriller about a young man's search for his girlfriend after she disappears at a rest stop during a short trip. Over the course of three years , the man obsessively searches for her , using his spare time to put up posters and leave handbills , hoping that someone will give him a clue to the mystery surrounding her disappearance. The kidnapper , having watched the man for some time , is intrigued by his increasing obsession and finally contacts him. He then gives the man the opportunity to learn firsthand of his girlfriend's fate. The film , frightening and moving with a chilling conclusion , is a small masterpiece as director George Sluizer confronts and examines the true nature of evil and obsession. Sluizer remade The Vanishing in an American version four years after the release of the original Dutch film , inexplicably changing the shocking ending which gave the original film such power.

In one of Alfred Hitchcock's suspense classics tennis pro Guy Haines (Farley Granger) chances to meet wealthy wastrel Bruno Anthony (Robert Walker) on a train. Having read all about Guy Bruno is aware that the tennis player is trapped in an unhappy marriage to to wife Miriam (Laura Elliott) and has been seen in the company of senator's daughter Ann Morton (Ruth Roman). Baiting Guy Bruno reveals that he feels trapped by his hated father (Jonathan Hale). As Guy listens with detached amusement Bruno discusses the theory of "exchange murders." Suppose that Bruno were to murder Guy's wife and Guy in exchange were to kill Bruno's father? With no known link between the two men the police would be none the wiser would they? When he reaches his destination Guy bids goodbye to Bruno thinking nothing more of the affable but rather curious young man's homicidal theories. And then Guy's wife turns up strangled to death. Co-adapted by Raymond Chandler from a novel by Patricia Highsmith Strangers on a Train perfectly exemplifies Hitchcock's favorite theme of the evil that lurks just below the surface of everyday life and ordinary men.

In one of Alfred Hitchcock 's suspense classics , tennis pro Guy Haines ( Farley Granger ) chances to meet wealthy wastrel Bruno Anthony ( Robert Walker ) on a train. Having read all about Guy , Bruno is aware that the tennis player is trapped in an unhappy marriage to to wife Miriam ( Laura Elliott ) and has been seen in the company of senator's daughter Ann Morton ( Ruth Roman ) . Baiting Guy , Bruno reveals that he feels trapped by his hated father ( Jonathan Hale ) . As Guy listens with detached amusement , Bruno discusses the theory of "exchange murders." Suppose that Bruno were to murder Guy's wife , and Guy in exchange were to kill Bruno's father? With no known link between the two men , the police would be none the wiser , would they? When he reaches his destination , Guy bids goodbye to Bruno , thinking nothing more of the affable but rather curious young man's homicidal theories. And then , Guy's wife turns up strangled to death. Co - adapted by Raymond Chandler from a novel by Patricia Highsmith , Strangers on a Train perfectly exemplifies Hitchcock 's favorite theme of the evil that lurks just below the surface of everyday life and ordinary men.

Regarded by many critics as the ultimate film noir and by many more as the finest movie adaptation of a book by Mickey Spillane Kiss Me Deadly stars Ralph Meeker as Spillane's anti-social private eye Mike Hammer. While driving down a lonely road late one evening Hammer picks up a beautiful blonde hitchhiker (Cloris Leachman) dressed in nothing but a raincoat. At first Hammer assumes that the incoherent girl is an escaped lunatic; his mind is changed for him when he and the girl are abducted by two thugs. The men torture the girl to death as the semiconscious Hammer watches helplessly. He himself escapes extermination when the murderers' car topples off a cliff and he is thrown clear. Seeking vengeance Hammer tries to discover the secret behind the girl's murder. Among those who cross his path in the film's tense tingling 105 minutes are a slimy gangster (Paul Stewart) a turncoat scientist (Albert Dekker) and the dead woman's sexy roommate (Gaby Rodgers). All clues lead to a mysterious box -- the "Great Whatsit" as Hammer's secretary Velda (Maxine Cooper) describes it. Both the box and Velda are stolen by the villains at which point Hammer discovers that the "Whatsit" contains radioactive material of awesome powers. The apocalyptic climax is doubly devastating because we're never quite certain if Hammer survives (he doesn't narrate the story as was the case in most Mike Hammer films and TV shows). Director Robert Aldrich and scriptwriter Jack Moffit transcend Kiss Me Deadly's basic genre trappings to produce a one-of-a-kind melodrama for the nuclear age.

Regarded by many critics as the ultimate film noir , and by many more as the finest movie adaptation of a book by Mickey Spillane , Kiss Me Deadly stars Ralph Meeker as Spillane 's anti - social private eye Mike Hammer. While driving down a lonely road late one evening , Hammer picks up a beautiful blonde hitchhiker ( Cloris Leachman ), dressed in nothing but a raincoat. At first , Hammer assumes that the incoherent girl is an escaped lunatic ; his mind is changed for him when he and the girl are abducted by two thugs. The men torture the girl to death as the semiconscious Hammer watches helplessly. He himself escapes extermination when the murderers' car topples off a cliff and he is thrown clear. Seeking vengeance , Hammer tries to discover the secret behind the girl's murder. Among those who cross his path in the film's tense , tingling 105 minutes are a slimy gangster ( Paul Stewart ), a turncoat scientist ( Albert Dekker ), and the dead woman's sexy roommate ( Gaby Rodgers ) . All clues lead to a mysterious box -- the "Great Whatsit , " as Hammer's secretary Velda ( Maxine Cooper ) describes it. Both the box and Velda are stolen by the villains , at which point Hammer discovers that the "Whatsit" contains radioactive material of awesome powers. The apocalyptic climax is doubly devastating because we're never quite certain if Hammer survives ( he doesn't narrate the story , as was the case in most Mike Hammer films and TV shows ) . Director Robert Aldrich and scriptwriter Jack Moffit transcend Kiss Me Deadly 's basic genre trappings to produce a one - of - a - kind melodrama for the nuclear age.

A man is determined to find justice after the loss of a loved one even though he is incapable of fully remembering the crime in this offbeat thriller. Leonard (Guy Pearce) is a man who is struggling to put his life back together after the brutal rape and murder of his wife. But Leonard's problems are different from those of most people in his situation; he was beaten severely by the same man who killed his wife. The most significant manifestation of Leonard's injuries is that his short-term memory has been destroyed; he is incapable of retaining any new information and must resort to copious note-taking and Polaroid photographs in order to keep track of what happens to him over the course of a day (he's even tattooed himself with a few crucial bits of information he can't get along without). Leonard retains awareness that his wife was brutally murdered however and he's convinced that the culprit still walks the streets. Leonard is obsessed with the notion of taking revenge against the man who has ruined his life and he sets out to find him getting help from Natalie (Carrie-Anne Moss) who appears to be a sympathetic barmaid and Teddy (Joe Pantoliano) who claims to be Leonard's friend even though Leonard senses that he cannot be trusted. Writer/director Christopher Nolan adapted Memento from a short story by his brother Jonathan Nolan.

A man is determined to find justice after the loss of a loved one , even though he is incapable of fully remembering the crime , in this offbeat thriller. Leonard ( Guy Pearce ) is a man who is struggling to put his life back together after the brutal rape and murder of his wife. But Leonard's problems are different from those of most people in his situation ; he was beaten severely by the same man who killed his wife. The most significant manifestation of Leonard's injuries is that his short - term memory has been destroyed ; he is incapable of retaining any new information , and must resort to copious note - taking and Polaroid photographs in order to keep track of what happens to him over the course of a day ( he's even tattooed himself with a few crucial bits of information he can't get along without ) . Leonard retains awareness that his wife was brutally murdered , however , and he's convinced that the culprit still walks the streets. Leonard is obsessed with the notion of taking revenge against the man who has ruined his life , and he sets out to find him , getting help from Natalie ( Carrie - Anne Moss ), who appears to be a sympathetic barmaid , and Teddy ( Joe Pantoliano ), who claims to be Leonard's friend , even though Leonard senses that he cannot be trusted. Writer / director Christopher Nolan adapted Memento from a short story by his brother Jonathan Nolan .

In this involving political thriller a secret French paramilitary organization plans to assassinate French President Charles De Gaulle (Adrien Cayla-Legrand) because of their disagreement with his policies during the Algerian War. They hire a professional killer known only as "The Jackal" (Edward Fox). The police learn of the plot from an informer and police investigator Lebel (Michel Lonsdale) cleverly pieces together the clues to the Jackal's identity. The complicated plot uses parallel editing to cross-cut between the details of the Jackal's preparations for the assassination and Lebel's efforts to find him before it is too late. Fred Zinnemann presents the story faithfully adapted from the book by Frederick Forsyth with precise dramatic flair. Edward Fox is coldly alluring as the Jackal. Well acted and directed Day of the Jackal is a tense and engrossing political thriller with a surprising ending.

In this involving political thriller , a secret French paramilitary organization plans to assassinate French President Charles De Gaulle ( Adrien Cayla - Legrand ) because of their disagreement with his policies during the Algerian War. They hire a professional killer , known only as "The Jackal" ( Edward Fox ) . The police learn of the plot from an informer , and police investigator Lebel ( Michel Lonsdale ) cleverly pieces together the clues to the Jackal's identity. The complicated plot uses parallel editing to cross - cut between the details of the Jackal's preparations for the assassination and Lebel's efforts to find him before it is too late. Fred Zinnemann presents the story , faithfully adapted from the book by Frederick Forsyth , with precise , dramatic flair. Edward Fox is coldly alluring as the Jackal. Well acted and directed , Day of the Jackal is a tense and engrossing political thriller with a surprising ending.

In his directorial debut Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet creates a stylish cinematic puzzle of games within games as con men are joined by a psychologist in creating the perfect caper. Dr. Margaret Ford (Lindsay Crouse) the writer of psychological self-help books meets Mike (Joe Mantegna) as she attempts to help a patient who owes heavy gambling debts. When she herself is the victim of a con she becomes intrigued by the psychological drama of the con game and joins in a complicated scam involving a suitcase of cash. Mamet directs his extremely complicated plot with skill and complete control until it is impossible to tell who is the con and who is the victim. The suspense builds to an amazing surprise ending which is both reasonable and believable but completely unpredictable. Crouse and Mantegna are outstanding as are all the supporting performances. Mamet and his cinematographer Juan Ruiz-Anchia create a visually stunning compelling film that does justice to Mamet's superbly written screenplay

In his directorial debut , Pulitzer Prize - winning playwright David Mamet creates a stylish cinematic puzzle of games within games , as con men are joined by a psychologist in creating the perfect caper. Dr. Margaret Ford ( Lindsay Crouse ), the writer of psychological self - help books , meets Mike ( Joe Mantegna ) as she attempts to help a patient who owes heavy gambling debts. When she herself is the victim of a con , she becomes intrigued by the psychological drama of the con game and joins in a complicated scam involving a suitcase of cash. Mamet directs his extremely complicated plot with skill and complete control until it is impossible to tell who is the con and who is the victim. The suspense builds to an amazing surprise ending which is both reasonable and believable but completely unpredictable. Crouse and Mantegna are outstanding as are all the supporting performances. Mamet and his cinematographer Juan Ruiz - Anchia create a visually stunning , compelling film that does justice to Mamet 's superbly written screenplay

This 1993 box-office smash partly adheres to the 1960s TV series on which it is based and partly goes off on several tangents of its own. Harrison Ford stars as Dr. Richard Kimble convicted of murdering his wife. While being transferred to prison by bus Kimble is involved in a spectacular bus-train collision (one of the best of its kind ever filmed). Surviving the disaster Kimble escapes vowing to track down the elusive professional criminal whom he holds responsible for the murder. Dogging the fugitive every foot of the way is U.S. marshal Sam Gerard (an Oscar-winning turn by Tommy Lee Jones) who announces his intention to search "every whorehouse doghouse and outhouse" to bring Kimble to justice. Unlike his dour TV-series counterpart Barry Morse Jones plays the role with a sardonic sense of humor: when a cornered Kimble screams "I didn't kill my wife" Gerard shrugs and famously replies "I don't care." Once the premise has been established scripters Jeb Stuart and David Twohy and director Andrew Davis pull off several audacious plot twists ranging from Kimble's rendezvous with a sympathetic lab technician to a jaw-dropping dive into a huge waterfall. The second half of the film offers one surprise after another (including the true identity of the murderer) brilliantly avoiding the letdown that plagues many movie adaptations of old TV series.

This 1993 box - office smash partly adheres to the 1960s TV series on which it is based and partly goes off on several tangents of its own. Harrison Ford stars as Dr. Richard Kimble , convicted of murdering his wife. While being transferred to prison by bus , Kimble is involved in a spectacular bus - train collision ( one of the best of its kind ever filmed ) . Surviving the disaster , Kimble escapes , vowing to track down the elusive professional criminal whom he holds responsible for the murder. Dogging the fugitive every foot of the way is U.S. marshal Sam Gerard ( an Oscar - winning turn by Tommy Lee Jones ), who announces his intention to search "every whorehouse , doghouse , and outhouse" to bring Kimble to justice. Unlike his dour TV - series counterpart Barry Morse , Jones plays the role with a sardonic sense of humor : when a cornered Kimble screams , "I didn't kill my wife , " Gerard shrugs and famously replies , "I don't care ." Once the premise has been established , scripters Jeb Stuart and David Twohy and director Andrew Davis pull off several audacious plot twists , ranging from Kimble's rendezvous with a sympathetic lab technician to a jaw - dropping dive into a huge waterfall. The second half of the film offers one surprise after another ( including the true identity of the murderer ), brilliantly avoiding the letdown that plagues many movie adaptations of old TV series.

A married couple is haunted by a series of mysterious occurrences after the death of their young daughter in this enigmatic chiller. Based on a story by Daphne du Maurier whose works inspired Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca and The Birds the film centers on Laura and John Baxter (Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie) who have recently relocated to Venice so that John can oversee the architectural restoration of an old church. Both hope that the change of environment will allow them to forget the recent tragic demise of their child but they instead find themselves surrounded by reminders of death as the city attempts to deal with a series of unexplained murders. The eeriness intensifies when they encounter a blind psychic and her eccentric sister who promise to contact her daughter's spirit. Laura embraces the idea but John remains skeptical until he experiences his own visions: fleeting glimpses of someone in a red coat similar to one that belonged to his daughter.

A married couple is haunted by a series of mysterious occurrences after the death of their young daughter in this enigmatic chiller. Based on a story by Daphne du Maurier , whose works inspired Alfred Hitchcock 's Rebecca and The Birds , the film centers on Laura and John Baxter ( Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie ), who have recently relocated to Venice so that John can oversee the architectural restoration of an old church. Both hope that the change of environment will allow them to forget the recent tragic demise of their child , but they instead find themselves surrounded by reminders of death , as the city attempts to deal with a series of unexplained murders. The eeriness intensifies when they encounter a blind psychic and her eccentric sister , who promise to contact her daughter's spirit. Laura embraces the idea , but John remains skeptical until he experiences his own visions : fleeting glimpses of someone in a red coat similar to one that belonged to his daughter.

Robert L. Pike's crime novel Mute Witness makes the transition to the big screen in this film from director Peter Yates. In one of his most famous roles Steve McQueen stars as tough-guy police detective Frank Bullitt. The story begins with Bullitt assigned to a seemingly routine detail protecting mafia informant Johnny Ross (Pat Renella) who is scheduled to testify against his Mob cronies before a Senate subcommittee in San Francisco. But when a pair of hitmen ambush their secret location fatally wounding Ross things don't add up for Bullitt so he decides to investigate the case on his own. Unfortunately for him ambitious senator Walter Chalmers (Robert Vaughn) the head of the aforementioned subcommittee wants to shut his investigation down hindering Bullitt's plan to not only bring the killers to justice but discover who leaked the location of the hideout.

Robert L. Pike 's crime novel Mute Witness makes the transition to the big screen in this film from director Peter Yates . In one of his most famous roles , Steve McQueen stars as tough - guy police detective Frank Bullitt. The story begins with Bullitt assigned to a seemingly routine detail , protecting mafia informant Johnny Ross ( Pat Renella ), who is scheduled to testify against his Mob cronies before a Senate subcommittee in San Francisco. But when a pair of hitmen ambush their secret location , fatally wounding Ross , things don't add up for Bullitt , so he decides to investigate the case on his own. Unfortunately for him , ambitious senator Walter Chalmers ( Robert Vaughn ), the head of the aforementioned subcommittee , wants to shut his investigation down , hindering Bullitt's plan to not only bring the killers to justice but discover who leaked the location of the hideout.

Lawrence Kasdan's first directorial effort is a throwback to the early days of film noir. The scene is a beastly hot Florida coastal town where naive attorney Ned (William Hurt) is entranced by the alluring Matty (Kathleen Turner in her film debut). Ned is manipulated into killing Matty's much older husband (Richard Crenna) the plan being that Ned's knowledge of legal matters will enable both conspirators to escape scott-free. This might have been the case had not Matty been infinitely craftier than the cloddish Ned. Just when it seems as though the film has run out of plot twists we're handed yet another surprise.

Lawrence Kasdan 's first directorial effort is a throwback to the early days of film noir. The scene is a beastly hot Florida coastal town , where naive attorney Ned ( William Hurt ) is entranced by the alluring Matty ( Kathleen Turner in her film debut ) . Ned is manipulated into killing Matty's much older husband ( Richard Crenna ), the plan being that Ned's knowledge of legal matters will enable both conspirators to escape scott - free. This might have been the case , had not Matty been infinitely craftier than the cloddish Ned. Just when it seems as though the film has run out of plot twists , we're handed yet another surprise.

After the Oscar-winning The English Patient writer/director Anthony Minghella attempted another tricky literary adaptation with The Talented Mr. Ripley which features heartthrob Matt Damon cast against type as a psychopathic bisexual murderer. Tom Ripley (Damon) is a bright and charismatic sociopath who makes his way in mid-'50s New York City as a men's room attendant and sometimes pianist though his real skill is in impersonating other people forging handwriting and running second-rate scams. After being mistaken for a Princeton student Tom meets the shipping tycoon father of Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) who has traveled to the coast of Italy where he's living a carefree life with his father's money and his beautiful girlfriend Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow). Dickie's father will pay Ripley 1000 dollars plus his expenses if he can persuade Dickie to return to America. As Ripley and Dickie become friends Tom finds himself both attracted to Dickie and envious of his life of pleasure. In time he decides that he would rather be Dickie Greenleaf than Tom Ripley so rather than go back to his life of poverty Ripley impulsively murders Dickie and assumes his identity. The Talented Mr. Ripley was based on the first of a series of novels featuring Tom Ripley written by Patricia Highsmith; the story was previously filmed in 1960 as Purple Noon with Alain Delon as Ripley.

After the Oscar - winning The English Patient , writer / director Anthony Minghella attempted another tricky literary adaptation with The Talented Mr. Ripley , which features heartthrob Matt Damon cast against type as a psychopathic bisexual murderer. Tom Ripley ( Damon ) is a bright and charismatic sociopath who makes his way in mid - '50s New York City as a men's room attendant and sometimes pianist , though his real skill is in impersonating other people , forging handwriting , and running second - rate scams. After being mistaken for a Princeton student , Tom meets the shipping tycoon father of Dickie Greenleaf ( Jude Law ), who has traveled to the coast of Italy , where he's living a carefree life with his father's money and his beautiful girlfriend , Marge ( Gwyneth Paltrow ) . Dickie's father will pay Ripley 1 , 000 dollars plus his expenses if he can persuade Dickie to return to America. As Ripley and Dickie become friends , Tom finds himself both attracted to Dickie and envious of his life of pleasure. In time , he decides that he would rather be Dickie Greenleaf than Tom Ripley , so rather than go back to his life of poverty , Ripley impulsively murders Dickie and assumes his identity. The Talented Mr. Ripley was based on the first of a series of novels featuring Tom Ripley written by Patricia Highsmith ; the story was previously filmed in 1960 as Purple Noon , with Alain Delon as Ripley.

In this tense tale of psychological terror Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) is a child psychologist whose new patient has a problem far outside his usual area of expertise. Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) is six-years-old and claims to see the spirits of dead people all around him. It seems that Cole has psychic powers and can channel the ghosts of those who were troubled. Cole doesn't understand his powers and he has little control over them; he's constantly terrified by what he sees and Dr. Crowe is the only one with whom he feels he can share this secret. However as the doctor digs deeper into Cole's strange powers it leads to strange and unexpected consequences for both of them. M. Night Shyamalan who wrote and directed the film has a small role as Dr. Hill.

In this tense tale of psychological terror , Dr. Malcolm Crowe ( Bruce Willis ) is a child psychologist whose new patient has a problem far outside his usual area of expertise. Cole Sear ( Haley Joel Osment ) is six - years - old and claims to see the spirits of dead people all around him. It seems that Cole has psychic powers and can channel the ghosts of those who were troubled. Cole doesn't understand his powers , and he has little control over them ; he's constantly terrified by what he sees , and Dr. Crowe is the only one with whom he feels he can share this secret. However , as the doctor digs deeper into Cole's strange powers , it leads to strange and unexpected consequences for both of them. M. Night Shyamalan , who wrote and directed the film , has a small role as Dr. Hill.

Norwegian filmmaker Erik Skjoldbjaerg makes his directorial debut with the psychological police drama Insomnia. Swedish homicide detective Jonas Engström (Stellan Skarsgård) and his partner Erik Vik (Sverre Anker Ousdal) arrive in a small Northern Norwegian town to help the local police investigate the murder of a teenage girl. When Jonas finds the girl's backpack he sets a trap for the killer near a remote shed. While waiting to make an ambush in the morning fog Jonas accidentally shoots Erik. He knows it was only an accident but he decides to keep it a secret because he could lose his job. Jonas chooses to carry on with his investigation while trying to cover up the evidence of Erik's death. Meanwhile he's unable to get any sleep due to the constant sunlight of the Norwegian summer and his increasingly guilty conscience. His only help comes from highly intuitive local police officer Hilda Haugen (Gisken Armand) who begins to form her own doubts about Jonas. As he continues to lose his grip on the case at hand he becomes dangerously close to the suspects Jon Holt (Bjørn Floberg) and Frøya (Marianne O. Ulrichsen). Filmmaker Christopher Nolan directed the English-language remake of Insomnia in 2002 with Al Pacino Robin Williams and Hilary Swank.

Norwegian filmmaker Erik Skjoldbjaerg makes his directorial debut with the psychological police drama Insomnia . Swedish homicide detective Jonas Engström ( Stellan Skarsgård ) and his partner , Erik Vik ( Sverre Anker Ousdal ), arrive in a small Northern Norwegian town to help the local police investigate the murder of a teenage girl. When Jonas finds the girl's backpack , he sets a trap for the killer near a remote shed. While waiting to make an ambush in the morning fog , Jonas accidentally shoots Erik. He knows it was only an accident , but he decides to keep it a secret because he could lose his job. Jonas chooses to carry on with his investigation while trying to cover up the evidence of Erik's death. Meanwhile , he's unable to get any sleep due to the constant sunlight of the Norwegian summer and his increasingly guilty conscience. His only help comes from highly intuitive local police officer Hilda Haugen ( Gisken Armand ), who begins to form her own doubts about Jonas. As he continues to lose his grip on the case at hand , he becomes dangerously close to the suspects , Jon Holt ( Bjørn Floberg ) and Frøya ( Marianne O. Ulrichsen ) . Filmmaker Christopher Nolan directed the English - language remake of Insomnia in 2002 with Al Pacino , Robin Williams , and Hilary Swank .

A high-profile slaying becomes the case of an ambitious attorney's career in this legal thriller based on the novel by William Diehl. Richard Gere stars as Martin Vail a famed defense lawyer who volunteers his services to Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton) a Kentucky teenager charged with the murder of a Chicago archbishop. Covered with blood Aaron was captured after a foot chase broadcast live on TV making a gleeful Vail certain that he could raise his profile by defending the obviously guilty suspect. Assigned to prosecute is Assistant District Attorney Janet Venable (Laura Linney) who is Vail's ex-girlfriend. Vail's case becomes more complicated than he expected when a psychologist Dr. Molly Arrington (Frances McDormand) concludes that Stampler suffers from multiple personality disorder. Vail also uncovers evidence that the archbishop was involved in a corrupt land scheme and may have molested young parishioners. Now the cynical opportunistic attorney is faced with a daunting prospect a client who may actually deserve his best defense. Its shocking twist ending made Primal Fear (1996) a big box office hit and earned Norton in his screen debut an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

A high - profile slaying becomes the case of an ambitious attorney's career in this legal thriller based on the novel by William Diehl . Richard Gere stars as Martin Vail , a famed defense lawyer who volunteers his services to Aaron Stampler ( Edward Norton ), a Kentucky teenager charged with the murder of a Chicago archbishop. Covered with blood , Aaron was captured after a foot chase broadcast live on TV , making a gleeful Vail certain that he could raise his profile by defending the obviously guilty suspect. Assigned to prosecute is Assistant District Attorney Janet Venable ( Laura Linney ), who is Vail's ex - girlfriend. Vail's case becomes more complicated than he expected when a psychologist , Dr. Molly Arrington ( Frances McDormand ) concludes that Stampler suffers from multiple personality disorder. Vail also uncovers evidence that the archbishop was involved in a corrupt land scheme and may have molested young parishioners. Now the cynical , opportunistic attorney is faced with a daunting prospect , a client who may actually deserve his best defense. Its shocking , twist ending made Primal Fear ( 1996 ) a big box office hit and earned Norton , in his screen debut , an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Arthur Hamilton (John Randolph) is a listless Manhattan businessman who lives with his wife in the New York suburbs. One day he runs into an old friend (Murray Hamilton) whom he thought had died. The friend leads him to The Company a secretive operation run by The Old Man (Will Geer). The Company is a high-tech service which for a price provides older men with plastic surgery a beefed-up body and a fresh start in life. To cover the "disappearance" a middle-aged male cadaver is "killed" in a hotel fire. Hamilton submits to the operation that will turn him into a "Second" and when the bandages are removed he's shed twenty years renamed Tony Wilson and portrayed by Rock Hudson. The Company creates a new identity for Hamilton relocating him in a hedonistic California beach community with an identity as a painter. Celebrating during a local wine festival Hamilton has his revelry cut short when he learns that all his new young friends are Seconds like himself and suddenly feels trapped in these surroundings. Unfortunately finding a way out isn't nearly as easy as it was to find a way in.

Arthur Hamilton ( John Randolph ) is a listless Manhattan businessman who lives with his wife in the New York suburbs. One day , he runs into an old friend ( Murray Hamilton ) whom he thought had died. The friend leads him to The Company , a secretive operation run by The Old Man ( Will Geer ) . The Company is a high - tech service which , for a price , provides older men with plastic surgery , a beefed - up body , and a fresh start in life. To cover the "disappearance , " a middle - aged male cadaver is "killed" in a hotel fire. Hamilton submits to the operation that will turn him into a "Second , " and when the bandages are removed , he's shed twenty years , renamed Tony Wilson and portrayed by Rock Hudson . The Company creates a new identity for Hamilton , relocating him in a hedonistic California beach community with an identity as a painter. Celebrating during a local wine festival , Hamilton has his revelry cut short when he learns that all his new young friends are Seconds like himself and suddenly feels trapped in these surroundings. Unfortunately , finding a way out isn't nearly as easy as it was to find a way in.

René Clément's thriller Purple Noon stars Alain Delon as Tom Ripley an American who travels to Europe on an all-expenses-paid mission to convince his friend the errant playboy Philippe Greenleaf (Maurice Ronet) to travel to San Francisco at the request of the wealthy Greenleaf family. Initially the pair enjoy the good life in Italy often to the anger and dismay of Philippe's much put-upon fiancee Marge (Marie Laforet). However as Tom's funds begin to run dry it becomes more and more apparent that Philippe has no intentions of returning to the U.S. forcing Tom to consider more nefarious means of maintaining his extravagant lifestyle. Purple Noon is adapted from Patricia Highsmith's novel The Talented Mr. Ripley and like Alfred Hitchcock's classic Strangers on a Train also based on Highsmith's work the theme of identity transference is dominant. The subject even extends to the homoerotic undercurrents which simmer below the surface of Tom and Philippe's relationship setting into motion a love/hate tension which explodes during a high seas journey.

René Clément 's thriller Purple Noon stars Alain Delon as Tom Ripley , an American who travels to Europe on an all - expenses - paid mission to convince his friend , the errant playboy Philippe Greenleaf ( Maurice Ronet ), to travel to San Francisco at the request of the wealthy Greenleaf family. Initially , the pair enjoy the good life in Italy , often to the anger and dismay of Philippe's much put - upon fiancee Marge ( Marie Laforet ) . However , as Tom's funds begin to run dry , it becomes more and more apparent that Philippe has no intentions of returning to the U.S. , forcing Tom to consider more nefarious means of maintaining his extravagant lifestyle. Purple Noon is adapted from Patricia Highsmith 's novel The Talented Mr. Ripley , and like Alfred Hitchcock 's classic Strangers on a Train , also based on Highsmith 's work , the theme of identity transference is dominant. The subject even extends to the homoerotic undercurrents which simmer below the surface of Tom and Philippe's relationship , setting into motion a love / hate tension which explodes during a high seas journey.

ased on a novel by the iconoclastic Richard Condon (of Manchurian Candidate and Prizzi's Honor fame) Winter Kills was one of the vanguard efforts in the "JFK conspiracy" school of literature. Jeff Bridges stars as Nick Kegan the scion of a powerful Kennedyesque family who has done his best to make himself obscure after the assassination of his older brother the former president of the U.S. While working as an oil rigger Nick is introduced to a terminally ill gentleman who claims to have been "the second assassin." His curiosity aroused Nick begins digging into what was supposed to be a closed case -- and predictably what he finds out isn't pretty. This however is the only predictable element of this mesmerizingly mazelike yarn. A failure when first released Winter Kills fared somewhat better when director William Richert arranged to rerelease the film through his own company and restore several scenes that had been cut by its previous backers. Elizabeth Taylor appears uncredited as one "Lola Comante."

Based on a novel by the iconoclastic Richard Condon ( of Manchurian Candidate and Prizzi's Honor fame ), Winter Kills was one of the vanguard efforts in the " JFK conspiracy" school of literature. Jeff Bridges stars as Nick Kegan , the scion of a powerful Kennedyesque family , who has done his best to make himself obscure after the assassination of his older brother , the former president of the U.S. While working as an oil rigger , Nick is introduced to a terminally ill gentleman who claims to have been "the second assassin." His curiosity aroused , Nick begins digging into what was supposed to be a closed case -- and , predictably , what he finds out isn't pretty. This , however , is the only predictable element of this mesmerizingly mazelike yarn. A failure when first released , Winter Kills fared somewhat better when director William Richert arranged to rerelease the film through his own company and restore several scenes that had been cut by its previous backers. Elizabeth Taylor appears uncredited as one "Lola Comante."

A righteous police officer investigating the disappearance of a young girl comes into conflict with the unusual residents of a secluded Scottish isle in this unsettling intelligent chiller. Brought to the island of Summerisle by an anonymous letter Edward Woodward's constable is surprised to discover that the island's population suspiciously denies the missing girl's very existence. Even more shocking at least to the traditionally pious law office the island is ruled by a libertarian society organized around pagan rituals. Repelled by the open acceptance of sexuality nature worship and even witchcraft the officer takes an antagonistic attitude towards the people and their leader an eccentric but charming English lord (Christopher Lee). The officer's unease intensifies as he continues his investigation slowly coming to fear that the girl's disappearance may be linked in a particularly horrifying manner to an upcoming public festival. Anthony Shaffer's meticulously crafted screenplay creates a thoroughly convincing alternative society building tension through slow discovery and indirect suggestion and making the terrifying climax all the more effective. Performances are also perfectly tuned with Woodward suitably priggish as the investigator and horror icon Lee delivering one of his most accomplished performances as Lord Summerisle. Little noticed during its original theatrical run due to studio edits and a limited release the film's intelligence and uncanny tone has since attracted a devoted cult following.

A righteous police officer investigating the disappearance of a young girl comes into conflict with the unusual residents of a secluded Scottish isle in this unsettling , intelligent chiller. Brought to the island of Summerisle by an anonymous letter , Edward Woodward 's constable is surprised to discover that the island's population suspiciously denies the missing girl's very existence. Even more shocking , at least to the traditionally pious law office , the island is ruled by a libertarian society organized around pagan rituals. Repelled by the open acceptance of sexuality , nature worship , and even witchcraft , the officer takes an antagonistic attitude towards the people and their leader , an eccentric but charming English lord ( Christopher Lee ) . The officer's unease intensifies as he continues his investigation , slowly coming to fear that the girl's disappearance may be linked in a particularly horrifying manner to an upcoming public festival. Anthony Shaffer 's meticulously crafted screenplay creates a thoroughly convincing alternative society , building tension through slow discovery and indirect suggestion and making the terrifying climax all the more effective. Performances are also perfectly tuned , with Woodward suitably priggish as the investigator and horror icon Lee delivering one of his most accomplished performances as Lord Summerisle. Little noticed during its original theatrical run due to studio edits and a limited release , the film's intelligence and uncanny tone has since attracted a devoted cult following.

This gripping emotional story of a roving photographer's transformation from a neutral artist with a camera to an involved human rights activist with a camera begins in Chad travels to Nicaragua in the early 1980s and ends when the Nicaraguan dictator Somoza takes off for the palm trees and beaches of Florida. Nick Nolte brilliantly interprets his role as the photographer Russell Price and Joanna Cassidy is Claire the radio journalist he meets while in Chad along with her lover Time Magazine reporter Alex (Gene Hackman) who ends up opting for a plush job as a TV anchorman and a quiet life on Long Island. When Alex leaves Claire heads off to the next hot spot Nicaragua and Russell decides to tag along -- not because he is that interested in Nicaragua but because he is interested in Claire. Once in the war-torn Central American country it does not take Russell long to see the vast difference between the corrupt U.S.-backed dictatorship and the struggling guerrilla forces who have been fighting for a decade already. As his eyes are opened he and Claire decide to go along with the rebels and film their fighting behind the lines. During one battle the much-venerated rebel leader is shot dead and Russell reluctantly agrees to fake a photo of the man as though he were still living so as not to demoralize the army that looks up to him for leadership. The photo appears in the news around the world and causes such a furor that Alex shows up to demand an interview with the leader for national American television. It is on the way to this supposed interview that Alex leaves the car for a moment and is senselessly shot and killed by a government soldier the whole episode filmed for the world by Russell's camera. This outrage (which actually occurred when journalist Bill Stewart was inhumanly shot by a Somoza soldier in full view of the video camera) soon makes global news and helps to hasten the overthrow of the corrupt dictatorship. Meanwhile Russell has new issues to consider once his camera has become an "active" and not a "passive" observer of political unrest. René Enriquéz who plays the dictator Somoza in this film is a native Nicaraguan related to a newspaper reporter killed by Somoza's government.

This gripping , emotional story of a roving photographer's transformation from a neutral artist with a camera to an involved human rights activist with a camera begins in Chad , travels to Nicaragua in the early 1980s , and ends when the Nicaraguan dictator Somoza takes off for the palm trees and beaches of Florida. Nick Nolte brilliantly interprets his role as the photographer Russell Price , and Joanna Cassidy is Claire , the radio journalist he meets while in Chad , along with her lover , Time Magazine reporter Alex ( Gene Hackman ), who ends up opting for a plush job as a TV anchorman and a quiet life on Long Island. When Alex leaves , Claire heads off to the next hot spot , Nicaragua , and Russell decides to tag along -- not because he is that interested in Nicaragua , but because he is interested in Claire. Once in the war - torn , Central American country , it does not take Russell long to see the vast difference between the corrupt , U.S. - backed dictatorship and the struggling guerrilla forces who have been fighting for a decade already. As his eyes are opened , he and Claire decide to go along with the rebels and film their fighting behind the lines. During one battle , the much - venerated rebel leader is shot dead , and Russell reluctantly agrees to fake a photo of the man as though he were still living , so as not to demoralize the army that looks up to him for leadership. The photo appears in the news around the world and causes such a furor that Alex shows up to demand an interview with the leader for national American television. It is on the way to this supposed interview that Alex leaves the car for a moment and is senselessly shot and killed by a government soldier , the whole episode filmed for the world by Russell's camera. This outrage ( which actually occurred when journalist Bill Stewart was inhumanly shot by a Somoza soldier in full view of the video camera ) soon makes global news and helps to hasten the overthrow of the corrupt dictatorship. Meanwhile , Russell has new issues to consider once his camera has become an "active" and not a "passive" observer of political unrest. René Enriquéz who plays the dictator Somoza in this film is a native Nicaraguan , related to a newspaper reporter killed by Somoza's government.

"His code name is Condor. In the next 24 hours everyone he trusts will try to kill him." As the ads ominously announced a low-level spook confronts the unfathomable in Sydney Pollack's 1975 political thriller adapted from the James Grady novel Six Days of the Condor. CIA researcher Joe Turner (Robert Redford) returns from lunch to find the entire staff of his small New York office assassinated. When he meets his boss (Cliff Robertson) at another location to tell him what happened someone tries to shoot Turner as well. On the run from the cops and his agency a desperate Turner resorts to holing up with innocent civilian Kathy (Faye Dunaway) who becomes his only ally. Joe decides to save himself the only way possible: by going to The New York Times. But will it work? One of a cycle of conspiracy films from the 1970s that also included The Parallax View (1974) and Redford's All the President's Men (1976) Three Days of the Condor pits a working Everyman (albeit a CIA everyman) against a far-reaching conspiracy as it also criticizes the CIA during a period of increasing publicity about federal wrongdoing from the Pentagon Papers through Watergate and other congressional investigations; the challenge of negotiating New York City shot on location becomes one more sign of the forces that Joe must face. With its timely subject matter taut suspense and sympathetic Redford hero Three Days of the Condor became a substantial hit. Balancing the conspiracy cycle's pessimism with a margin of attenuated hope Three Days of the Condor suggests that one man can still discover the truth but whether it helps him remains to be seen.

"His code name is Condor. In the next 24 hours , everyone he trusts will try to kill him." As the ads ominously announced , a low - level spook confronts the unfathomable in Sydney Pollack 's 1975 political thriller , adapted from the James Grady novel Six Days of the Condor . CIA researcher Joe Turner ( Robert Redford ) returns from lunch to find the entire staff of his small New York office assassinated. When he meets his boss ( Cliff Robertson ) at another location to tell him what happened , someone tries to shoot Turner as well. On the run from the cops and his agency , a desperate Turner resorts to holing up with innocent civilian Kathy ( Faye Dunaway ), who becomes his only ally. Joe decides to save himself the only way possible : by going to The New York Times . But will it work? One of a cycle of conspiracy films from the 1970s that also included The Parallax View ( 1974 ) and Redford 's All the President's Men ( 1976 ), Three Days of the Condor pits a working Everyman ( albeit a CIA everyman ) against a far - reaching conspiracy , as it also criticizes the CIA during a period of increasing publicity about federal wrongdoing , from the Pentagon Papers through Watergate and other congressional investigations ; the challenge of negotiating New York City , shot on location , becomes one more sign of the forces that Joe must face. With its timely subject matter , taut suspense , and sympathetic Redford hero , Three Days of the Condor became a substantial hit. Balancing the conspiracy cycle's pessimism with a margin of attenuated hope , Three Days of the Condor suggests that one man can still discover the truth , but whether it helps him remains to be seen.

Director Roman Polanski casts himself in the lead of the psychological thriller The Tenant. Trelkovsky (Polanski) rents an apartment in a spooky old residential building where his neighbors -- mostly old recluses -- eye him with suspicious contempt. Upon discovering that the apartment's previous tenant a beautiful young woman jumped from the window in a suicide attempt Trelkovsky begins obsessing over the dead woman. Growing increasingly paranoid Trelkovsky convinces himself that his neighbors plan to kill him. He even comes to the conclusion that Stella (Isabel Adjani) the woman he has fallen in love with is in on the "plot." Ultimately Polanski assumes the identity of the suicide victim -- and inherits her self-destructive urges. Some critics found the movie tedious and overdone; others compared it to Polanski's early breakthrough Repulsion. The film was based on Le Locataire Chimerique a novel by Roland Topor.

Director Roman Polanski casts himself in the lead of the psychological thriller The Tenant . Trelkovsky ( Polanski ) rents an apartment in a spooky old residential building , where his neighbors -- mostly old recluses -- eye him with suspicious contempt. Upon discovering that the apartment's previous tenant , a beautiful young woman , jumped from the window in a suicide attempt , Trelkovsky begins obsessing over the dead woman. Growing increasingly paranoid , Trelkovsky convinces himself that his neighbors plan to kill him. He even comes to the conclusion that Stella ( Isabel Adjani ), the woman he has fallen in love with , is in on the "plot." Ultimately , Polanski assumes the identity of the suicide victim -- and inherits her self - destructive urges. Some critics found the movie tedious and overdone ; others compared it to Polanski 's early breakthrough , Repulsion . The film was based on Le Locataire Chimerique , a novel by Roland Topor .

Terry O'Quinn plays The Stepfather in this intelligent unsettling chiller. We'd tell you O'Quinn's character name but he has so many. You see O'Quinn has been a stepfather many times over romancing and marrying widowed women in several different states. After each wedding everything is blissful -- at least until O'Quinn's new wife and kids fail to measure up to his notions of perfection. Then he kills them en masse and moves on to his next victims. Shelley Hack and Jill Schoelen co-star as O'Quinn's latest wife and stepdaughter who prove to be yet another disappointment to him. An adroit witches' blend of Ozzie & Harriet and Psycho The Stepfather was scripted by suspense veteran Donald E. Westlake. A lesser sequel Stepfather 2 followed in 1989.

Terry O'Quinn plays The Stepfather in this intelligent , unsettling chiller. We'd tell you O'Quinn's character name , but he has so many. You see , O'Quinn has been a stepfather many times over , romancing and marrying widowed women in several different states. After each wedding , everything is blissful -- at least , until O'Quinn's new wife and kids fail to measure up to his notions of perfection. Then he kills them en masse , and moves on to his next victims. Shelley Hack and Jill Schoelen co - star as O'Quinn's latest wife and stepdaughter , who prove to be yet another disappointment to him. An adroit witches' blend of Ozzie & Harriet and Psycho , The Stepfather was scripted by suspense veteran Donald E. Westlake . A lesser sequel , Stepfather 2 , followed in 1989.

Sea of Love is a sexy atmospheric thriller very much in the style of Alfred Hitchcock with involving characters steamy love scenes and surprising plot twists. Frank Keller (Al Pacino) is a lonely tired disillusioned police detective who has a problem with alcohol. Frank is investigating a serial killer whom he believes finds victims by using personal ads in magazines killing them while playing the old record "Sea of Love." In a scene both amusing and touching Frank and his partner Sherman (John Goodman) --aided by Frank's father (William Hickey in a lovely cameo) place a personal ad hoping to lure the killer. Helen Cruger (Ellen Barkin) a tough sexy single mother answers the ad and begins an affair with Frank despite the fact that she is one of the prime suspects in the case. The suspense builds as Frank though deeply drawn to Helen becomes more and more suspicious of her. In a splendidly crafted script from Richard Price the plot is compelling with plenty of action terrific authentic dialogue and superb characterization. Ellen Barkin gives a marvelous performance as an independent sensual and intriguing femme fatale; John Goodman is excellent as Sherman giving a likable shrewd and subtly comic performance; and Pacino in perhaps his best performance since Dog Day Afternoon plays Frank as a man on the edge reckless and self-destructive lost and alone. Frank falls in love with Helen in spite of himself because of his loneliness and need. Pacino's skill in showing the vulnerability and neediness of Frank explains the somewhat implausible actions of his character in continuing their affair despite the mounting evidence against Helen. Harold Becker directs with great flair bringing the story believability without lapsing into false sentimentality.

Sea of Love is a sexy , atmospheric thriller , very much in the style of Alfred Hitchcock , with involving characters , steamy love scenes , and surprising plot twists. Frank Keller ( Al Pacino ), is a lonely , tired , disillusioned , police detective , who has a problem with alcohol. Frank is investigating a serial killer , whom he believes finds victims by using personal ads in magazines , killing them while playing the old record "Sea of Love." In a scene both amusing and touching , Frank and his partner , Sherman ( John Goodman ) -- aided by Frank's father ( William Hickey in a lovely cameo ) place a personal ad , hoping to lure the killer. Helen Cruger ( Ellen Barkin ), a tough , sexy single mother answers the ad and begins an affair with Frank , despite the fact that she is one of the prime suspects in the case. The suspense builds as Frank , though deeply drawn to Helen , becomes more and more suspicious of her. In a splendidly crafted script from Richard Price , the plot is compelling , with plenty of action , terrific authentic dialogue and superb characterization. Ellen Barkin gives a marvelous performance as an independent , sensual and intriguing femme fatale ; John Goodman is excellent as Sherman , giving a likable , shrewd , and subtly comic performance ; and Pacino , in perhaps his best performance since Dog Day Afternoon , plays Frank as a man on the edge , reckless and self - destructive , lost and alone. Frank falls in love with Helen , in spite of himself , because of his loneliness and need. Pacino's skill in showing the vulnerability and neediness of Frank explains the somewhat implausible actions of his character in continuing their affair despite the mounting evidence against Helen. Harold Becker directs with great flair , bringing the story believability , without lapsing into false sentimentality.

Play Misty for Me marked Clint Eastwood's debut as a director and it gave him the then-unusual opportunity to play a regular contemporary guy in a thriller about sex obsession and stalking. Eastwood's Dave Garver is a self-centered California jazz disc jockey struggling with the idea of committing to his on-again off-again girlfriend Tobie (Donna Mills). One night he meets the mini-skirted Evelyn (Jessica Walters) in a bar and he goes home with her for what he assumes is a one-night stand. Dave discovers however that Evelyn has repeatedly called his show requesting that he "play 'Misty' for me" and she is not about to go gently into the night now that she has bedded him. Even though it touches on the early-'70s flashpoints of sexual liberation studio execs expressed doubts about why anyone would want to see a movie featuring Eastwood as a deejay. Eastwood reportedly answered that he was not sure either but he thought it was a good suspense story and he offered his services as director for free. Play Misty for Me wound up making five times more than it cost and is a precursor to such erotic thrillers as Fatal Attraction (1987) and Basic Instinct (1992). Eastwood mentor Don Siegel appears early on as a bartender.

Play Misty for Me marked Clint Eastwood 's debut as a director , and it gave him the then - unusual opportunity to play a regular contemporary guy in a thriller about sex , obsession , and stalking. Eastwood 's Dave Garver is a self - centered California jazz disc jockey struggling with the idea of committing to his on - again , off - again girlfriend Tobie ( Donna Mills ) . One night he meets the mini - skirted Evelyn ( Jessica Walters ) in a bar , and he goes home with her for what he assumes is a one - night stand. Dave discovers , however , that Evelyn has repeatedly called his show requesting that he "play 'Misty' for me , " and she is not about to go gently into the night now that she has bedded him. Even though it touches on the early - '70s flashpoints of sexual liberation , studio execs expressed doubts about why anyone would want to see a movie featuring Eastwood as a deejay. Eastwood reportedly answered that he was not sure either , but he thought it was a good suspense story , and he offered his services as director for free. Play Misty for Me wound up making five times more than it cost and is a precursor to such erotic thrillers as Fatal Attraction ( 1987 ) and Basic Instinct ( 1992 ) . Eastwood mentor Don Siegel appears early on as a bartender.

While the Watergate scandal filled the headlines Alan J. Pakula's 1974 thriller took its inspiration from the conspiracy theories surrounding the Kennedy assassination. Journalist Joe Frady (Warren Beatty) misses witnessing the assassination of a senator at Seattle's Space Needle but his newswoman former girlfriend Lee Carter (Paula Prentiss) was there. Even after a government commission concludes that it was a freak lone assassin Lee tells Joe that she fears for her life since other witnesses keep dying. After she too turns up dead Joe investigates travelling to the small town where another witness has mysteriously expired. Stumbling on a corporate identity for the killers Joe decides to dig deeper by infiltrating the Parallax Corporation as one of their hired assassins. As Joe becomes increasingly isolated in his assumed identity he discovers what Parallax is all about -- but Parallax knows all about Joe too. Made between Klute (1971) and All the President's Men (1976) The Parallax View was the second film in Pakula's "paranoia" trilogy; it proved too dark even for a 1974 audience that embraced such other challenging films of that year as The Godfather Part II and Chinatown making The Parallax View the sole flop of Pakula's trilogy.

While the Watergate scandal filled the headlines , Alan J. Pakula 's 1974 thriller took its inspiration from the conspiracy theories surrounding the Kennedy assassination. Journalist Joe Frady ( Warren Beatty ) misses witnessing the assassination of a senator at Seattle's Space Needle , but his newswoman former girlfriend Lee Carter ( Paula Prentiss ) was there. Even after a government commission concludes that it was a freak lone assassin , Lee tells Joe that she fears for her life since other witnesses keep dying. After she too turns up dead , Joe investigates , travelling to the small town where another witness has mysteriously expired. Stumbling on a corporate identity for the killers , Joe decides to dig deeper by infiltrating the Parallax Corporation as one of their hired assassins. As Joe becomes increasingly isolated in his assumed identity , he discovers what Parallax is all about -- but Parallax knows all about Joe too. Made between Klute ( 1971 ) and All the President's Men ( 1976 ), The Parallax View was the second film in Pakula 's "paranoia" trilogy ; it proved too dark even for a 1974 audience that embraced such other challenging films of that year as The Godfather , Part II and Chinatown , making The Parallax View the sole flop of Pakula 's trilogy.

No Way Out is told in flashback as Naval officer Tom Farrell (Kevin Costner) is grilled by his superiors regarding a recent "unpleasantness." While at a Washington party Tom meets Susan Atwel (Sean Young) and they're soon sharing a steamy love scene in the back of a limo (marvelously parodied in 1993's Hot Shots! Part Deux). Several months pass before Tom meets Susan again; he discovers she's the mistress of the US Secretary of Defense David Brice (Gene Hackman). When Susan is murdered by Brice his loyal aide (Will Patton) dutifully destroys the evidence and invents the fallacious theory that a KGB mole was responsible. Tom is assigned to locate that mole -- a perilous situation since Tom knows that no such mole exists but must go along with the charade since he was the last person who was seen with Susan.

No Way Out is told in flashback as Naval officer Tom Farrell ( Kevin Costner ) is grilled by his superiors regarding a recent "unpleasantness." While at a Washington party , Tom meets Susan Atwel ( Sean Young ), and they're soon sharing a steamy love scene in the back of a limo ( marvelously parodied in 1993's Hot Shots! Part Deux ) . Several months pass before Tom meets Susan again ; he discovers she's the mistress of the US Secretary of Defense David Brice ( Gene Hackman ) . When Susan is murdered by Brice , his loyal aide ( Will Patton ) dutifully destroys the evidence and invents the fallacious theory that a KGB mole was responsible. Tom is assigned to locate that mole -- a perilous situation , since Tom knows that no such mole exists , but must go along with the charade since he was the last person who was seen with Susan.

The Narrow Margin is generally considered a "model" B picture; some film buffs go farther than that labelling this 1952 RKO suspenser as the best low-budget studio production ever made. Nail-hard detective Walter Brown (Charles McGraw) is assigned to protect gangster's widow Mrs. Neall (Marie Windsor) as she rides the train from Chicago to LA en route to testifying at a grand jury. There's no love lost between the ill-tempered Neall and Brown especially since Brown's partner (Don Beddoe) was killed by mobsters while shielding Neall from harm. On the train Brown makes the acquaintance of a likeable woman (Jacqueline White) and her playful young son. He also comes in contact with a rather secretive fat man (Paul Maxey) who may well be a mob assassin. Not long before the train pulls into California Brown is approached by small-time crook (Peter Brocco) who offers the detective a great deal of money if he'll permit Neall to be silenced. Brown appears to be tempted but this is only a smokescreen to throw the crooks off the trail. The Narrow Margin was remade (and unnecessarily padded and attenuated) in 1990.

The Narrow Margin is generally considered a "model" B picture ; some film buffs go farther than that , labelling this 1952 RKO suspenser as the best low - budget studio production ever made. Nail - hard detective Walter Brown ( Charles McGraw ) is assigned to protect gangster's widow Mrs. Neall ( Marie Windsor ) as she rides the train from Chicago to LA , en route to testifying at a grand jury. There's no love lost between the ill - tempered Neall and Brown , especially since Brown's partner ( Don Beddoe ) was killed by mobsters while shielding Neall from harm. On the train , Brown makes the acquaintance of a likeable woman ( Jacqueline White ) and her playful young son. He also comes in contact with a rather secretive fat man ( Paul Maxey ), who may well be a mob assassin. Not long before the train pulls into California , Brown is approached by small - time crook ( Peter Brocco ), who offers the detective a great deal of money if he'll permit Neall to be silenced. Brown appears to be tempted , but this is only a smokescreen to throw the crooks off the trail. The Narrow Margin was remade ( and unnecessarily padded and attenuated ) in 1990.

Adapted from a Stephen King novel Rob Reiner's Misery cast James Caan as a writer at a career crossroads. The film opens with Paul Sheldon (Caan) completing work on his latest novel a break from his popular series of novels featuring the character Misery Chastain. He gets into a severe car accident and is saved by Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) a reclusive woman who nurses him back to health. Annie is a huge fan of the Misery novels and she finishes reading the new one while Paul is convalescing. She becomes enraged when she discovers that Paul has killed off Misery. Annie injures Paul's foot severely so that he is unable to leave her house and forces him to write a new Misery novel. A local sheriff (Richard Farnsworth) and Paul's agent (Lauren Bacall) both attempt to track down what happened to the missing author. Misery shot the relatively unknown Kathy Bates to stardom winning her one of the few Best Actress Oscars ever bestowed for portraying an evil character.

Adapted from a Stephen King novel , Rob Reiner 's Misery cast James Caan as a writer at a career crossroads. The film opens with Paul Sheldon ( Caan ) completing work on his latest novel , a break from his popular series of novels featuring the character Misery Chastain. He gets into a severe car accident and is saved by Annie Wilkes ( Kathy Bates ), a reclusive woman who nurses him back to health. Annie is a huge fan of the Misery novels , and she finishes reading the new one while Paul is convalescing. She becomes enraged when she discovers that Paul has killed off Misery. Annie injures Paul's foot severely so that he is unable to leave her house , and forces him to write a new Misery novel. A local sheriff ( Richard Farnsworth ) and Paul's agent ( Lauren Bacall ) both attempt to track down what happened to the missing author. Misery shot the relatively unknown Kathy Bates to stardom , winning her one of the few Best Actress Oscars ever bestowed for portraying an evil character.

The debate still rages as to whether Alfred Hitchcock's 1956 remake of The Man Who Knew Too Much is superior to his own original 1934 version. This two-hour remake (45 minutes longer than the first film) features more stars a lusher budget and the plaintive music of Bernard Herrmann (who appears on-camera typecast as a symphony conductor). Though the locale of the opening scenes shifts from Switzerland to French Morocco in the newer version the basic plot remains the same. American tourists James Stewart and Doris Day are witness to the street killing of a Frenchman (Daniel Gelin) they've recently befriended. Before breathing his last the murder victim whispers a secret to Stewart (the Cinemascope lens turns this standard closeup into a truly grotesque vignette). Stewart knows that a political assassination will occur during a concert at London's Albert Hall but is unable to tell the police: his son (a daughter in the original) has been kidnapped by foreign agents to insure Stewart's silence. The original script for Man Who Knew too Much was expanded and updated by John Michael Hayes and Angus McPhail.

The debate still rages as to whether Alfred Hitchcock 's 1956 remake of The Man Who Knew Too Much is superior to his own original 1934 version. This two - hour remake ( 45 minutes longer than the first film ) features more stars , a lusher budget , and the plaintive music of Bernard Herrmann ( who appears on - camera , typecast as a symphony conductor ) . Though the locale of the opening scenes shifts from Switzerland to French Morocco in the newer version , the basic plot remains the same. American tourists James Stewart and Doris Day are witness to the street killing of a Frenchman ( Daniel Gelin ) they've recently befriended. Before breathing his last , the murder victim whispers a secret to Stewart ( the Cinemascope lens turns this standard closeup into a truly grotesque vignette ) . Stewart knows that a political assassination will occur during a concert at London's Albert Hall , but is unable to tell the police : his son ( a daughter in the original ) has been kidnapped by foreign agents to insure Stewart's silence. The original script for Man Who Knew too Much was expanded and updated by John Michael Hayes and Angus McPhail .

In this hit thriller a prosecuting attorney-turned-defense lawyer falls in love with a rich charming client who's been accused of murdering his wife and her maid with a hunting knife. When an unknown assailant gruesomely slays San Francisco newspaper heiress Paige Forrester (Maria Mayenzet) her husband and business partner Jack Forrester (Jeff Bridges) turns to corporate attorney Teddy Barnes (Glenn Close) for counsel. Teddy who quit her job with the district attorney's office four years earlier over an ethical dilemma has reservations about returning to criminal work; nevertheless she accepts the assignment convinced of Jack's innocence and eager to face off in court against her old boss DA Thomas Krasny (Peter Coyote) who's about run for attorney general. With the help of investigator Sam Ransom (Robert Loggia) the recently divorced Teddy builds a strong defense for her client though the work -- and her incipient romance with Jack -- cause strain in her relationship with her children. When Jack's innocence and his romantic intentions come into question Teddy feels her life slipping back into a moral quagmire until a series of courtroom denouements set the stage for even bigger surprises. Big-name screenwriter Joe Eszterhas' follow-up to Flashdance Jagged Edge was directed by Richard Marquand who had previously lensed Return of the Jedi. Parts of Jagged Edge were shot on-location in San Francisco whose City Hall provides the film's courtroom exteriors.

In this hit thriller , a prosecuting attorney - turned - defense lawyer falls in love with a rich , charming client who's been accused of murdering his wife and her maid with a hunting knife. When an unknown assailant gruesomely slays San Francisco newspaper heiress Paige Forrester ( Maria Mayenzet ), her husband and business partner , Jack Forrester ( Jeff Bridges ), turns to corporate attorney Teddy Barnes ( Glenn Close ) for counsel. Teddy , who quit her job with the district attorney's office four years earlier over an ethical dilemma , has reservations about returning to criminal work ; nevertheless , she accepts the assignment , convinced of Jack's innocence and eager to face off in court against her old boss , DA Thomas Krasny ( Peter Coyote ), who's about run for attorney general. With the help of investigator Sam Ransom ( Robert Loggia ), the recently divorced Teddy builds a strong defense for her client , though the work -- and her incipient romance with Jack -- cause strain in her relationship with her children. When Jack's innocence and his romantic intentions come into question , Teddy feels her life slipping back into a moral quagmire until a series of courtroom denouements set the stage for even bigger surprises. Big - name screenwriter Joe Eszterhas ' follow - up to Flashdance , Jagged Edge was directed by Richard Marquand , who had previously lensed Return of the Jedi . Parts of Jagged Edge were shot on - location in San Francisco , whose City Hall provides the film's courtroom exteriors.

Clint Eastwood delivers one of his finest performances as a secret service agent haunted by his past in Wolfgang Petersen's taut thriller In the Line of Fire. Eastwood plays Frank Horrigan a secret service agent who keeps thinking back to November 22 1963 when as an agent hand-picked by President Kennedy he became one of the few agents to have lost a president to an assassin. Decades later psychotic Mitch Leary (John Malkovich) is stalking another president (Jim Curley) running for re-election. He has spent long hours studying the psyche of Frank Horrigan and he taunts Horrigan (feeling that there is a bond between them) telling him of his plans to kill the president. After his conversation with Leary Horrigan makes sure he is assigned to presidential protection duty. Horrigan has no intention of failing his president this time around and he is more than willing to take a bullet. But everything goes Leary's way -- he is smart and cagey and the president's aides refuse to alter the itinerary. As the election draws closer Horrigan's chances to catch Leary look to be less and less a possibility and he begins to doubt his own abilities -- both now and in the past when Kennedy was murdered.

Clint Eastwood delivers one of his finest performances , as a secret service agent haunted by his past in Wolfgang Petersen 's taut thriller In the Line of Fire . Eastwood plays Frank Horrigan , a secret service agent who keeps thinking back to November 22 , 1963 , when , as an agent hand - picked by President Kennedy , he became one of the few agents to have lost a president to an assassin. Decades later , psychotic Mitch Leary ( John Malkovich ) is stalking another president ( Jim Curley ) running for re - election. He has spent long hours studying the psyche of Frank Horrigan , and he taunts Horrigan ( feeling that there is a bond between them ), telling him of his plans to kill the president. After his conversation with Leary , Horrigan makes sure he is assigned to presidential protection duty. Horrigan has no intention of failing his president this time around , and he is more than willing to take a bullet. But everything goes Leary's way -- he is smart and cagey and the president's aides refuse to alter the itinerary. As the election draws closer , Horrigan's chances to catch Leary look to be less and less a possibility , and he begins to doubt his own abilities -- both now and in the past , when Kennedy was murdered.

This political thriller is set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland's "Troubles" and directed in the documentary fashion common to British filmmaker Ken Loach's films. Paul Sullivan (Brad Dourif) and Ingrid Jessner (Frances McDormand) are American attorneys serving on a human rights group working to monitor cases of prisoner mistreatment in war-torn Belfast. When Paul learns of some information that may be injurious to the Thatcher government he is killed and a top-secret tape disappears. Assigned to the case Inspector Kerrigan (Brian Cox) is joined by Ingrid in probing Paul's death which seems to be related to rumors of a high-ranking cabal within the British government working to undermine the Irish Republican Army and liberal policies toward Irish separatists through violent and illegal means. Ingrid meets with Harris (Maurice Roeves) a former British Secret Service agent who's now turned on his former cronies. Together they look for the top-secret tape.

This political thriller is set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland's "Troubles" and directed in the documentary fashion common to British filmmaker Ken Loach 's films. Paul Sullivan ( Brad Dourif ) and Ingrid Jessner ( Frances McDormand ) are American attorneys serving on a human rights group working to monitor cases of prisoner mistreatment in war - torn Belfast. When Paul learns of some information that may be injurious to the Thatcher government , he is killed , and a top - secret tape disappears. Assigned to the case , Inspector Kerrigan ( Brian Cox ) is joined by Ingrid in probing Paul's death , which seems to be related to rumors of a high - ranking cabal within the British government working to undermine the Irish Republican Army and liberal policies toward Irish separatists through violent and illegal means. Ingrid meets with Harris ( Maurice Roeves ), a former British Secret Service agent who's now turned on his former cronies. Together , they look for the top - secret tape.

ased on the novel by Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler Fail-Safe is set for the most part at Strategic Air Command headquarters where a misguided transmission sends a squadron of bombers hurtling towards Russia fully prepared to drop their atomic weaponry on Moscow. Air Force commander Frank Overton desperately tries to establish radio contact with the bombers but once the pilots have passed the "fail safe" point they've been instructed to disregard any reversal of orders. Racing against time US President Henry Fonda through his interpreter (Larry Hagman) informs the Russian premiere of the impending nuclear disaster. Working in concert with SAC the Russians send up interceptors to shoot down the American bombers while some of the planes run out of fuel and crash. Unfortunately one aircraft piloted by Edward Binns manages to escape destruction and continues on its fatal mission. Realizing that Moscow is doomed the President must decide how to avert World War III. Featured in the cast of Fail Safe are Walter Matthau as a hawkish scientist Fritz Weaver as a round-the-bend colonel and Dom DeLuise (billed as "DeLouise") as a weeping sergeant. Fail-Safe is followed by a government-dictated disclaimer insisting that the events leading up to the nuclear disaster depicted in the film could not possibly happen.

Based on the novel by Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler , Fail - Safe is set for the most part at Strategic Air Command headquarters , where a misguided transmission sends a squadron of bombers hurtling towards Russia , fully prepared to drop their atomic weaponry on Moscow. Air Force commander Frank Overton desperately tries to establish radio contact with the bombers , but once the pilots have passed the "fail safe" point , they've been instructed to disregard any reversal of orders. Racing against time , US President Henry Fonda , through his interpreter ( Larry Hagman ), informs the Russian premiere of the impending nuclear disaster. Working in concert with SAC , the Russians send up interceptors to shoot down the American bombers , while some of the planes run out of fuel and crash. Unfortunately , one aircraft , piloted by Edward Binns , manages to escape destruction and continues on its fatal mission. Realizing that Moscow is doomed , the President must decide how to avert World War III. Featured in the cast of Fail Safe are Walter Matthau as a hawkish scientist , Fritz Weaver as a round - the - bend colonel , and Dom DeLuise ( billed as "DeLouise" ) as a weeping sergeant. Fail - Safe is followed by a government - dictated disclaimer insisting that the events leading up to the nuclear disaster depicted in the film could not possibly happen.

Driving down a deserted Southern California highway at a safe and sane 55 miles per hour David Mann (Dennis Weaver) steps on the pedal to pass a large gas trailer truck. Moments later the truck is back dangerously tailgating Mann before abruptly cutting him off. For the next 90 minutes Mann and the never-seen truckdriver are pitted against one another in a motorized duel to the death. Author Richard Matheson conceived Duel after a similar experience with a reckless trucker. The story first appeared in Playboy magazine then was picked up for adaptation by the producers of The ABC Movie of the Week. The director chosen to helm Duel on location in Soledad Canyon was a bright 23-year-old who'd shown promise on such series as Night Gallery and Columbo: Steven Spielberg. First telecast on December 18 1971 Duel was so popular that a somewhat longer version (with added violence and profanity) was prepared for theatrical release in 1983.

Driving down a deserted Southern California highway at a safe and sane 55 miles per hour , David Mann ( Dennis Weaver ) steps on the pedal to pass a large gas trailer truck. Moments later , the truck is back , dangerously tailgating Mann before abruptly cutting him off. For the next 90 minutes , Mann and the never - seen truckdriver are pitted against one another in a motorized duel to the death. Author Richard Matheson conceived Duel after a similar experience with a reckless trucker. The story first appeared in Playboy magazine , then was picked up for adaptation by the producers of The ABC Movie of the Week . The director chosen to helm Duel on location in Soledad Canyon was a bright 23 - year - old who'd shown promise on such series as Night Gallery and Columbo : Steven Spielberg . First telecast on December 18 , 1971 , Duel was so popular that a somewhat longer version ( with added violence and profanity ) was prepared for theatrical release in 1983.

One of Brian De Palma's most divisive films Dressed to Kill is a spine-chilling Alfred Hitchcock update for the late 1970s. Sexually frustrated wife and mother Kate Miller (Angie Dickinson) visits her New York psychiatrist Dr. Elliott (Michael Caine) to complain about her unfulfilling erotic life. When she then goes to meet her husband at a museum she meets an anonymous man whom she follows out to a cab. After an afternoon of satisfying sex Kate discovers that the man has a venereal disease but that information becomes a moot point when a razor-wielding blonde woman slashes Kate to ribbons in the elevator of the man's building. Blonde prostitute Liz (Nancy Allen) who caught a glimpse of the murderer becomes both the prime suspect and the killer's next target. With the police less than willing to believe her story Liz joins forces with Kate's son Peter (Keith Gordon) to get the psychopath themselves. Steamy material cut to get an R-rating was restored on the unrated laser disc version.

One of Brian De Palma 's most divisive films , Dressed to Kill is a spine - chilling Alfred Hitchcock update for the late 1970s. Sexually frustrated wife and mother Kate Miller ( Angie Dickinson ) visits her New York psychiatrist , Dr. Elliott ( Michael Caine ), to complain about her unfulfilling erotic life. When she then goes to meet her husband at a museum , she meets an anonymous man whom she follows out to a cab. After an afternoon of satisfying sex , Kate discovers that the man has a venereal disease , but that information becomes a moot point when a razor - wielding blonde woman slashes Kate to ribbons in the elevator of the man's building. Blonde prostitute Liz ( Nancy Allen ), who caught a glimpse of the murderer , becomes both the prime suspect and the killer's next target. With the police less than willing to believe her story , Liz joins forces with Kate's son Peter ( Keith Gordon ) to get the psychopath themselves. Steamy material cut to get an R - rating was restored on the unrated laser disc version.

ased on the popular mystery play by Frederick Knott Dial M For Murder is more talky and stagebound than most Hitchcock films but no less enjoyable. British tennis pro Ray Milland suspects that his wealthy wife Grace Kelly is fooling around with handsome American Robert Cummings. Milland blackmails a disgraced former army comrade (Anthony Dawson) into murdering Kelly and making it look like the work of a burglar. But Milland's carefully mapped-out scheme does not take into account the notion that Kelly might fight back and kill her assailant. When the police (represented by John Williams) investigate Milland improvises quickly subtly planting the suggestion that his wife has committed first-degree murder. He almost gets away with it; to tell you more would spoil the fun of the film's final thirty minutes. Hitchcock claimed that he chose this single-set play because he was worn out from several earlier more ambitious projects and wanted to "recharge his batteries." Compelled by Warner Bros. to film Dial M for Murder in 3-D Hitchcock perversely refused to throw in the standard in-your-face gimmickry of most stereoscopic films of the era--though watch how he visually emphasizes an important piece of evidence towards the end of the film.

Based on the popular mystery play by Frederick Knott , Dial M For Murder is more talky and stagebound than most Hitchcock films , but no less enjoyable. British tennis pro Ray Milland suspects that his wealthy wife Grace Kelly is fooling around with handsome American Robert Cummings . Milland blackmails a disgraced former army comrade ( Anthony Dawson ) into murdering Kelly and making it look like the work of a burglar. But Milland 's carefully mapped - out scheme does not take into account the notion that Kelly might fight back and kill her assailant. When the police ( represented by John Williams ) investigate , Milland improvises quickly , subtly planting the suggestion that his wife has committed first - degree murder. He almost gets away with it ; to tell you more would spoil the fun of the film's final thirty minutes. Hitchcock claimed that he chose this single - set play because he was worn out from several earlier , more ambitious projects , and wanted to "recharge his batteries." Compelled by Warner Bros. to film Dial M for Murder in 3 - D , Hitchcock perversely refused to throw in the standard in - your - face gimmickry of most stereoscopic films of the era -- though watch how he visually emphasizes an important piece of evidence towards the end of the film.

Set in contemporary Los Angeles as well as the Los Angeles of the 1940s Dead Again explores a romance between two star-crossed lovers -- and the doomed passion they shared in their last lifetime. Los Angeles detective Mike Church (Kenneth Branagh) comes to the aid of mute amnesia-victim Grace (Emma Thompson) and falls in love with her. He sets out to discover her true identity and the source of her terrible nightmares. Mike is aided in his investigation by hypnotist/furniture dealer Franklyn Madison (Derek Jacobi) who discovers that in a past life Grace was Margaret Strauss (also played by Thompson) who may have been mudered by her husband Roman (Branagh).

Set in contemporary Los Angeles as well as the Los Angeles of the 1940s , Dead Again explores a romance between two star - crossed lovers -- and the doomed passion they shared in their last lifetime. Los Angeles detective Mike Church ( Kenneth Branagh ) comes to the aid of mute , amnesia - victim Grace ( Emma Thompson ) and falls in love with her. He sets out to discover her true identity and the source of her terrible nightmares. Mike is aided in his investigation by hypnotist / furniture dealer Franklyn Madison ( Derek Jacobi ) who discovers that in a past life Grace was Margaret Strauss ( also played by Thompson ), who may have been mudered by her husband Roman ( Branagh ) .

John Fowles's novel The Collector was written in the form of a dual diary one kept by a kidnapper the other by his victim. The film is told almost exclusively from the point of view of the former a nerdish British bank clerk named Freddy Clegg (Terence Stamp). A neurotic recluse whose only pleasure is butterfly collecting Clegg wins $200000 in the British Football Pool. He purchases a huge country estate fixes up its cellar with all the comforts of home then kidnaps Miranda (Samantha Eggar) an art student whom he has worshipped from afar. The demented Clegg doesn't want ransom nor does he want to rape the girl: he simply wants to "collect" her. She isn't keen on this and tries several times to escape. After several weeks Clegg and Miranda grow increasingly fond of one another and Clegg promises to let her go. When time comes for the actual release however Clegg decides that Miranda hasn't completely come around to his way of thinking and changes his mind leading to a further series of unfortunate events.

John Fowles 's novel The Collector was written in the form of a dual diary , one kept by a kidnapper , the other by his victim. The film is told almost exclusively from the point of view of the former , a nerdish British bank clerk named Freddy Clegg ( Terence Stamp ) . A neurotic recluse whose only pleasure is butterfly collecting , Clegg wins $200 , 000 in the British Football Pool. He purchases a huge country estate , fixes up its cellar with all the comforts of home , then kidnaps Miranda ( Samantha Eggar ), an art student whom he has worshipped from afar. The demented Clegg doesn't want ransom , nor does he want to rape the girl : he simply wants to "collect" her. She isn't keen on this , and tries several times to escape. After several weeks , Clegg and Miranda grow increasingly fond of one another , and Clegg promises to let her go. When time comes for the actual release , however , Clegg decides that Miranda hasn't completely come around to his way of thinking and changes his mind , leading to a further series of unfortunate events.

This gripping 1979 drama about the dangers of nuclear power carried an extra jolt when a real-life accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania occurred just weeks after the film opened. Kimberly Wells (Jane Fonda) is a TV reporter trying to advance from fluff pieces to harder news. Wells and cameraman Richard Adams (Michael Douglas who also produced) are doing a story on energy when they happen to witness a near-meltdown at a local nuclear plant averted only by quick-thinking engineer Jack Godell (Jack Lemmon). While Wells and Adams fruitlessly attempt to get the story on their station Godell begins his own investigation and discovers that corporate greed and cost-trimming have led to potentially deadly faults in the plant's construction. He provides evidence of the faulty equipment which could lead to another meltdown (the "China syndrome" of the title) to the station's soundman to deliver to Wells and Adams at a hearing on nuclear power. However on the way to the hearing the soundman is run off the road by evil henchmen leading Godell to realize that his own life is threatened possibly by his bosses at the plant. Driven to the edge of a breakdown Godell takes over the plant's control room at gunpoint and demands to reveal his findings on TV. The plant's management however has other plans and the facility itself is becoming dangerously unstable. Whether or not you agree with the film's clear anti-nuclear bias its sobering message and riveting realistic story and performances are still difficult to ignore.

This gripping 1979 drama about the dangers of nuclear power carried an extra jolt when a real - life accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania occurred just weeks after the film opened. Kimberly Wells ( Jane Fonda ) is a TV reporter trying to advance from fluff pieces to harder news. Wells and cameraman Richard Adams ( Michael Douglas , who also produced ) are doing a story on energy when they happen to witness a near - meltdown at a local nuclear plant , averted only by quick - thinking engineer Jack Godell ( Jack Lemmon ) . While Wells and Adams fruitlessly attempt to get the story on their station , Godell begins his own investigation and discovers that corporate greed and cost - trimming have led to potentially deadly faults in the plant's construction. He provides evidence of the faulty equipment , which could lead to another meltdown ( the "China syndrome" of the title ), to the station's soundman to deliver to Wells and Adams at a hearing on nuclear power. However , on the way to the hearing , the soundman is run off the road by evil henchmen , leading Godell to realize that his own life is threatened , possibly by his bosses at the plant. Driven to the edge of a breakdown , Godell takes over the plant's control room at gunpoint and demands to reveal his findings on TV. The plant's management , however , has other plans , and the facility itself is becoming dangerously unstable. Whether or not you agree with the film's clear anti - nuclear bias , its sobering message and riveting , realistic story and performances are still difficult to ignore.

This film of Ira Levin's novel The Boys from Brazil wastes no time in establishing the fact that several seemingly unrelated men have been mysteriously murdered. Elderly Jewish Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman (Laurence Olivier) brought into the case when the clues seem to point to a neo-fascist plot traces the trail of evidence to Paraguay. Here he finds an unregenerate Auschwitz doctor patterned on Joseph Mengele and played by -- of all people -- Gregory Peck. Lieberman discovers that the murdered men had all fathered sons who were identical -- the results of a cloning experiment designed to create a race of incipient Hitlers.

This film of Ira Levin 's novel The Boys from Brazil wastes no time in establishing the fact that several seemingly unrelated men have been mysteriously murdered. Elderly Jewish Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman ( Laurence Olivier ), brought into the case when the clues seem to point to a neo - fascist plot , traces the trail of evidence to Paraguay. Here he finds an unregenerate Auschwitz doctor , patterned on Joseph Mengele and played by -- of all people -- Gregory Peck . Lieberman discovers that the murdered men had all fathered sons who were identical -- the results of a cloning experiment , designed to create a race of incipient Hitlers.

rian De Palma's homage to Michelangelo Antonioni's classic art movie Blow-Up (1966) blends suspense and political paranoia when a Philadelphia soundman inadvertently records a murder. Former police technician Jack Terri (John Travolta) makes his living doing sound for slasher flicks. While recording new outdoor effects one night Jack witnesses a couple's car careen off a bridge into a river but he can save only the female occupant Sally (Nancy Allen). Jack begins to suspect something when he learns that her dead companion was a Presidential hopeful. Re-playing his tape over and over Jack thinks that he hears a gun shot before the crash-causing tire blow-out. When sleazy photographer Manny Karp (Dennis Franz) comes forward with photos of the accident Jack discovers the real reason that the naïve Sally was in the car -- and also a way to prove his auditory suspicions through motion pictures. Even with all his surveillance talent however Jack cannot see (or hear) how dangerous the big picture really is until it's too late. Taking a break from horror films De Palma turned his interests in technology and voyeurism toward more politically loaded subject matter at the dawn of the Reagan era; the film's red white and blue mise-en-scène "Liberty Day" celebration climax and conspiracy surrounding political "dirty tricks" suggest that American politics are still rotten seven years after Watergate. Although Blow Out earned some favorable notice particularly for Travolta's first "adult" performance De Palma's downbeat film did not go over well with 1981 summer audiences. Rather than blockbuster escapism Blow Out instead harks back to 1970s political thrillers like The Parallax View (1974) using cinematic fireworks to tell an unsettling story about one man's struggle against unstoppable corruption.

Brian De Palma 's homage to Michelangelo Antonioni 's classic art movie Blow - Up ( 1966 ) blends suspense and political paranoia when a Philadelphia soundman inadvertently records a murder. Former police technician Jack Terri ( John Travolta ) makes his living doing sound for slasher flicks. While recording new outdoor effects one night , Jack witnesses a couple's car careen off a bridge into a river , but he can save only the female occupant , Sally ( Nancy Allen ) . Jack begins to suspect something when he learns that her dead companion was a Presidential hopeful. Re - playing his tape over and over , Jack thinks that he hears a gun shot before the crash - causing tire blow - out. When sleazy photographer Manny Karp ( Dennis Franz ) comes forward with photos of the accident , Jack discovers the real reason that the naïve Sally was in the car -- and also a way to prove his auditory suspicions through motion pictures. Even with all his surveillance talent , however , Jack cannot see ( or hear ) how dangerous the big picture really is until it's too late. Taking a break from horror films , De Palma turned his interests in technology and voyeurism toward more politically loaded subject matter at the dawn of the Reagan era ; the film's red , white and blue mise - en - scène , "Liberty Day" celebration climax , and conspiracy surrounding political "dirty tricks" suggest that American politics are still rotten , seven years after Watergate. Although Blow Out earned some favorable notice , particularly for Travolta's first "adult" performance , De Palma's downbeat film did not go over well with 1981 summer audiences. Rather than blockbuster escapism , Blow Out instead harks back to 1970s political thrillers like The Parallax View ( 1974 ), using cinematic fireworks to tell an unsettling story about one man's struggle against unstoppable corruption.

The highly acclaimed and famously eccentric classical pianist Glenn Gould is the subject of this idiosyncratic film portrait. As the title suggests Gould's life is explored through a series of thirty-two self-contained but interrelated vignettes a structure inspired by Bach's "Goldberg Variations" the compositions that were the basis for one of Gould's most famous recordings. Fictional recreations many starring an excellent Colm Feore as Gould follow the musician from his precocious childhood to his early death at the age of fifty. Juicy biographical details like a surprising early retirement from public performance and an addiction to prescription drugs are featured prominently but equal attention is paid to Gould's challenging theoretical ideas. Director Francois Girard refuses to provide easy explanations for the pianist's quirks instead using his unconventional structure to provide great insight while suggesting the real Gould remains essentially unknowable. Especially interesting is the film's mix of dramatization and documentary as it juxtaposes its fictional recreations with actual interviews with Gould's friends and associates.

The highly acclaimed and famously eccentric classical pianist Glenn Gould is the subject of this idiosyncratic film portrait. As the title suggests , Gould's life is explored through a series of thirty - two self - contained but interrelated vignettes , a structure inspired by Bach's "Goldberg Variations , " the compositions that were the basis for one of Gould's most famous recordings. Fictional recreations , many starring an excellent Colm Feore as Gould , follow the musician from his precocious childhood to his early death at the age of fifty. Juicy biographical details like a surprising early retirement from public performance and an addiction to prescription drugs are featured prominently , but equal attention is paid to Gould's challenging theoretical ideas. Director Francois Girard refuses to provide easy explanations for the pianist's quirks , instead using his unconventional structure to provide great insight while suggesting the real Gould remains essentially unknowable. Especially interesting is the film's mix of dramatization and documentary , as it juxtaposes its fictional recreations with actual interviews with Gould's friends and associates.

Two twin brothers both renowned gynecologists descend into madness after becoming romantically involved with the same woman in this disturbing horrific drama. Jeremy Irons delivers a bravura performance as both Beverly and Elliot Mantle Toronto-based surgeons who operate an exclusive gynecological clinic and share a reputation as brilliant innovators. They also share lovers as the more aggressive confident Elliott seduces women and later secretly allows the shier more intellectual Beverly to reap the benefits. This arrangement is disturbed when Beverly falls in love with their newest conquest Claire Niveau (Genevieve Bujold) a famous actress with an unusual gynecological deformity. Beverly's relationship with the hard-living Claire leads to him to turn away from Elliot and begin a dangerous involvement with drugs and alcohol. Elliot senses his brother's rapid decline into addiction and paranoia and attempts to save him only to start falling victim to the same urges. Director David Cronenberg adapted the loosely fact-based tale to his own creepy purposes tapping into primal fears regarding the uncanniness of twins and male sexual panic. His notorious gore was used sparingly here however with the film's most disturbing moments coming through suggestion as in the display of a group of terrifying surgical instruments created by Beverly in his madness. Cronenberg's expertise with special effects proves crucial however as he and his regular cinematographer Peter Suschitzsky seamlessly combine Irons' two performances in a manner unrivalled by any previous depiction of twins. This visual achievement is more than matched by Irons who delivers what may be his career performance delineating the twins' differences and similarities and embodying their collapse in frighteningly believable fashion. The subject matter and chilly tone may be too intense for some viewers but the brilliant central performance and intellectually provocative approach will prove thoroughly absorbing for others.

Two twin brothers , both renowned gynecologists , descend into madness after becoming romantically involved with the same woman in this disturbing , horrific drama. Jeremy Irons delivers a bravura performance as both Beverly and Elliot Mantle , Toronto - based surgeons who operate an exclusive gynecological clinic and share a reputation as brilliant innovators. They also share lovers , as the more aggressive , confident Elliott seduces women and later secretly allows the shier , more intellectual Beverly to reap the benefits. This arrangement is disturbed when Beverly falls in love with their newest conquest , Claire Niveau ( Genevieve Bujold ), a famous actress with an unusual gynecological deformity. Beverly's relationship with the hard - living Claire leads to him to turn away from Elliot and begin a dangerous involvement with drugs and alcohol. Elliot senses his brother's rapid decline into addiction and paranoia and attempts to save him , only to start falling victim to the same urges. Director David Cronenberg adapted the loosely fact - based tale to his own creepy purposes , tapping into primal fears regarding the uncanniness of twins and male sexual panic. His notorious gore was used sparingly here , however , with the film's most disturbing moments coming through suggestion , as in the display of a group of terrifying surgical instruments created by Beverly in his madness. Cronenberg's expertise with special effects proves crucial , however , as he and his regular cinematographer Peter Suschitzsky seamlessly combine Irons ' two performances in a manner unrivalled by any previous depiction of twins. This visual achievement is more than matched by Irons , who delivers what may be his career performance , delineating the twins' differences and similarities and embodying their collapse in frighteningly believable fashion. The subject matter and chilly tone may be too intense for some viewers , but the brilliant central performance and intellectually provocative approach will prove thoroughly absorbing for others.

Francois Girard directed this drama tracing the history of a musical instrument through five countries and three centuries. In 1681 to keep the spirit of his wife alive an Italian paints the violin with a red varnish made from her blood. It is later found in the Austrian Alps when a prodigy gives a performance in the court of Vienna in 1792. Taken by gypsies the instrument is acquired by a Dionysian composer. After a journey by boat to China in 1966 it is hidden during the Cultural Revolution. In contemporary Canada it is spotted at an auction house by a violin expert (Samuel L. Jackson) who becomes obsessed with it. Scripted by Girard and Don McKellar. Filmed on a $10 million budget in Montreal China Italy Austria and Oxford.

Francois Girard directed this drama tracing the history of a musical instrument through five countries and three centuries. In 1681 , to keep the spirit of his wife alive , an Italian paints the violin with a red varnish made from her blood. It is later found in the Austrian Alps when a prodigy gives a performance in the court of Vienna in 1792. Taken by gypsies , the instrument is acquired by a Dionysian composer. After a journey by boat to China in 1966 , it is hidden during the Cultural Revolution. In contemporary Canada , it is spotted at an auction house by a violin expert ( Samuel L. Jackson ) who becomes obsessed with it. Scripted by Girard and Don McKellar . Filmed on a $10 million budget in Montreal , China , Italy , Austria , and Oxford.

Don McKellar wrote and directed this comedy-drama about the last night of the world part of the 12-film Arte series of movies about the Millennium. Set in Toronto Patrick (McKellar) endures a faux Christmas celebration with his family while Sandra (Sandra Oh) tries to get across town to commit suicide with her husband a gas company employee Duncan (David Cronenberg). Meanwhile Craig (Callum Keith Rennie) hopes to achieve sexual satisfaction with several women on his list. Still mourning his dead wife Patrick plans his last moments alone until he and Sandra crosspaths. Shown in the Directors Fortnight section at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.

Don McKellar wrote and directed this comedy - drama about the last night of the world , part of the 12 - film Arte series of movies about the Millennium. Set in Toronto , Patrick ( McKellar ) endures a faux Christmas celebration with his family while Sandra ( Sandra Oh ) tries to get across town to commit suicide with her husband , a gas company employee Duncan ( David Cronenberg ) . Meanwhile , Craig ( Callum Keith Rennie ) hopes to achieve sexual satisfaction with several women on his list. Still mourning his dead wife , Patrick plans his last moments alone , until he and Sandra crosspaths. Shown in the Directors Fortnight section at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival .

The great achievement of The Boys of St. Vincent is not that it deals with the controversial subject of pedophilia among Catholic clergy but that it deals with that subject so honestly without resorting to melodramatics. At the core of this powerful film lies Henry Czerny's searing performance as Brother Peter Lavin. Czerny deftly shows in the film's first half how Lavin used the double-edged sword of adult and religious authority to intimidate his charges. And in the second half when Lavin is confronted with the monstrousness of his crimes Czerny's ability to construct a plausible set of denials (if you had seen only this part of the film you might be tempted to believe him) lifts the film above a simple case study. Lavin's character a man who translated his own troubled childhood into pain and affliction for others is one of the most fascinating psychological studies in contemporary film. Co-writer and director John N. Smith is also to be praised for tamping down the urge to embroider this story with unnecessary flourishes.

The great achievement of The Boys of St. Vincent is not that it deals with the controversial subject of pedophilia among Catholic clergy , but that it deals with that subject so honestly , without resorting to melodramatics. At the core of this powerful film lies Henry Czerny 's searing performance as Brother Peter Lavin. Czerny deftly shows in the film's first half how Lavin used the double - edged sword of adult and religious authority to intimidate his charges. And in the second half , when Lavin is confronted with the monstrousness of his crimes , Czerny 's ability to construct a plausible set of denials ( if you had seen only this part of the film , you might be tempted to believe him ) lifts the film above a simple case study. Lavin's character , a man who translated his own troubled childhood into pain and affliction for others , is one of the most fascinating psychological studies in contemporary film. Co - writer and director John N. Smith is also to be praised for tamping down the urge to embroider this story with unnecessary flourishes.

Atom Egoyan casts himself as the lead character in Calendar. He portrays a shutterbug who brings an array of different women to his apartment. Every time one of the women makes a phone call the character notices a calendar consisting of photographs he took while in Armenia. The film flashes back to the time he took each of the photos. Traveling through Armenia with his wife he does not share his wife's interest in the history behind the locations he is photographing. The wife eventually leaves him and the film ends with him attempting to end their estrangement. This project began after Egoyan whose ancestors were Armenian was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Moscow Film Festival for his 1991 film The Adjuster.

Atom Egoyan casts himself as the lead character in Calendar . He portrays a shutterbug who brings an array of different women to his apartment. Every time one of the women makes a phone call , the character notices a calendar consisting of photographs he took while in Armenia. The film flashes back to the time he took each of the photos. Traveling through Armenia with his wife , he does not share his wife's interest in the history behind the locations he is photographing. The wife eventually leaves him , and the film ends with him attempting to end their estrangement. This project began after Egoyan , whose ancestors were Armenian , was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Moscow Film Festival for his 1991 film The Adjuster .

This Canadian drama from director Cynthia Scott centers on eight elderly women strangers who find themselves depending on each other and becoming fast friends when they're suddenly stranded in the rural countryside. Traveling through a largely uninhabited area the ladies' bus breaks down and as they await help they are forced to fend for themselves. Finding refuge in a rustic and empty farmhouse the women begin talking and eventually share many of their life experiences and memories with each other forming an indelible bond. In an attempt to create an air of reality and spontaneity Scott used a nonprofessional cast and encouraged improvised dialogue. Strangers in Good Company was nominated for several honors at Canada's 1991 Genie Awards ultimately winning the prize for Best Editing.

This Canadian drama from director Cynthia Scott centers on eight elderly women strangers who find themselves depending on each other and becoming fast friends when they're suddenly stranded in the rural countryside. Traveling through a largely uninhabited area , the ladies' bus breaks down and , as they await help , they are forced to fend for themselves. Finding refuge in a rustic and empty farmhouse , the women begin talking and eventually share many of their life experiences and memories with each other , forming an indelible bond. In an attempt to create an air of reality and spontaneity , Scott used a nonprofessional cast and encouraged improvised dialogue. Strangers in Good Company was nominated for several honors at Canada's 1991 Genie Awards , ultimately winning the prize for Best Editing.

A modern-day Passion Play becomes a reenactment of the life and death of Jesus Christ in more ways than one with this critically acclaimed drama from Quebec filmmaker Denys Arcand. Lothaire Bluteau stars as Daniel Coloumbe an intense young actor in Montreal who is hired by church fathers to restage and update the city's annual Passion Play which over the course of the past 40 years has begun to seem hidebound. Daniel hires a group of struggling young actors that become devoted to him and his creative vision as he devises an extremely avant-garde production that takes Christ's rebellious teachings literally. Revolving around set pieces reflecting passages from Christ's life rather than a traditional re-creation of events Daniel's revisionist work also incorporates blasphemous ideas about his subject questioning his true nature. Daniel's play is a critical smash and wows mesmerized audiences but greatly disturbed church officials order the labor of love dismantled. Real life begins imitating biblical events as the actors become cast-outs and Daniel smashes up an audition in which the actress portraying his Mary Magdalene (Catherine Wilkening) is asked to disrobe by a prurient producer.

A modern - day Passion Play becomes a reenactment of the life and death of Jesus Christ in more ways than one with this critically acclaimed drama from Quebec filmmaker Denys Arcand . Lothaire Bluteau stars as Daniel Coloumbe , an intense young actor in Montreal who is hired by church fathers to restage and update the city's annual Passion Play , which over the course of the past 40 years has begun to seem hidebound. Daniel hires a group of struggling young actors that become devoted to him and his creative vision as he devises an extremely avant - garde production that takes Christ's rebellious teachings literally. Revolving around set pieces reflecting passages from Christ's life rather than a traditional re - creation of events , Daniel's revisionist work also incorporates blasphemous ideas about his subject , questioning his true nature. Daniel's play is a critical smash and wows mesmerized audiences , but greatly disturbed church officials order the labor of love dismantled. Real life begins imitating biblical events as the actors become cast - outs and Daniel smashes up an audition in which the actress portraying his Mary Magdalene ( Catherine Wilkening ) is asked to disrobe by a prurient producer.

Francis Ford Coppola protégé Phillip Borsos directs this elegiac low-key tale about real-life bandit Bill Miner that has become a classic of Canadian cinema. Having been released from jail in 1901 following a 33-year prison sentence for robbing stagecoaches Bill Miner (Richard Farnsworth) finds himself living in a society that has completely changed from the one of his youth. He tries to put his life of crime behind him and settle down in Washington state with his sister but the quiet life does not suit him. He feels restless but uncertain as to how to proceed next. The answer comes to him when he sees Edward S. Porter's The Great Train Robbery. Soon Miner has slipped over the border into Canada and along with his new partner Shorty (Wayne Robson) robs the Canadian Pacific Railway Transcontinental Express. Later while laying low after the crime in a remote corner of British Columbia he meets the beautiful strong-willed photographer Kate Flynn (Jackie Burroughs). In writing this script Borsos reportedly made heavy use of contemporary court documents and testimonies. This film was screened at the 2001 Toronto Film Festival in honor of its 20th anniversary.

Francis Ford Coppola protégé Phillip Borsos directs this elegiac , low - key tale about real - life bandit Bill Miner that has become a classic of Canadian cinema. Having been released from jail in 1901 following a 33 - year prison sentence for robbing stagecoaches , Bill Miner ( Richard Farnsworth ) finds himself living in a society that has completely changed from the one of his youth. He tries to put his life of crime behind him and settle down in Washington state with his sister , but the quiet life does not suit him. He feels restless but uncertain as to how to proceed next. The answer comes to him when he sees Edward S. Porter 's The Great Train Robbery . Soon , Miner has slipped over the border into Canada and , along with his new partner , Shorty ( Wayne Robson ), robs the Canadian Pacific Railway Transcontinental Express. Later , while laying low after the crime in a remote corner of British Columbia , he meets the beautiful , strong - willed photographer Kate Flynn ( Jackie Burroughs ) . In writing this script , Borsos reportedly made heavy use of contemporary court documents and testimonies. This film was screened at the 2001 Toronto Film Festival in honor of its 20th anniversary.

Ignore the title: Family Viewing makes for fascinating viewing though it is not designed as entertainment for the whole family. This Canadian film stars David Hemblen as Stan a profoundly disturbed young man. Upon the disappearance of his mother Stan feverishly tries to piece together existing clues. He's not sure he likes the outcome but given the extent to which his family has disintegrated he's not surprised either. Family Viewing was expertly filmed on a wafer-thin budget by independent Canadian director Atom Egoyan.

Ignore the title : Family Viewing makes for fascinating viewing , though it is not designed as entertainment for the whole family. This Canadian film stars David Hemblen as Stan , a profoundly disturbed young man. Upon the disappearance of his mother , Stan feverishly tries to piece together existing clues. He's not sure he likes the outcome , but given the extent to which his family has disintegrated , he's not surprised , either. Family Viewing was expertly filmed on a wafer - thin budget by independent Canadian director Atom Egoyan .

A rousing "he said/she said" endeavor The Decline of the American Empire begins by separating the boys from the girls. Preparing a gourmet dinner four male intellectuals begin trading stories of their sexual experiences. At the same time four well-read women all working out in a gym exchange their own tales from the love front. The film is set in the lofty circles of academia a world well known to Canadian director Denys Arcand. The anecdotes related herein are based on actual events in the lives of Arcand's professorial friends. There's nothing bookish however about the subject matter of the stories themselves which ranges from mild philandering to S & M. The Decline of the American Empire was the winner of eight Canadian Genie awards (that's the above-the-border equivalent of the Oscar) including Best Picture.

A rousing "he said / she said" endeavor , The Decline of the American Empire begins by separating the boys from the girls. Preparing a gourmet dinner , four male intellectuals begin trading stories of their sexual experiences. At the same time , four well - read women , all working out in a gym , exchange their own tales from the love front. The film is set in the lofty circles of academia , a world well known to Canadian director Denys Arcand . The anecdotes related herein are based on actual events in the lives of Arcand 's professorial friends. There's nothing bookish , however , about the subject matter of the stories themselves , which ranges from mild philandering to S & M. The Decline of the American Empire was the winner of eight Canadian Genie awards ( that's the above - the - border equivalent of the Oscar ), including Best Picture.

When the mother of 12-year-old Martin suddenly dies his schoolmates rally 'round to keep the authorities from finding out lest they send the fatherless youth to the dreaded local orphanage. This off-beat French drama chronicles their efforts that begin with a midnight burial of the poor woman's body (placed inside a grandfather clock) in a lonely field.

When the mother of 12 - year - old Martin suddenly dies , his schoolmates rally 'round to keep the authorities from finding out lest they send the fatherless youth to the dreaded local orphanage. This off - beat French drama , chronicles their efforts that begin with a midnight burial of the poor woman's body ( placed inside a grandfather clock ) in a lonely field.

In this well-wrought drama WW II dramatically changes the lives of the Cooper family when its patriarch is called to battle captured and sent to a Japanese POW camp. Back at home the heretofore coddled wife who doesn't know if her husband is still alive must somehow figure out how to support her family and carry on in the British tradition of courage and dignity under pressure. Her solution is to join a swing band. As she becomes increasingly confident and independent she begins wondering whether or not she still loves her missing spouse.

In this well - wrought drama , WW II dramatically changes the lives of the Cooper family when its patriarch is called to battle , captured , and sent to a Japanese POW camp. Back at home the heretofore coddled wife , who doesn't know if her husband is still alive , must somehow figure out how to support her family and carry on in the British tradition of courage and dignity under pressure. Her solution is to join a swing band. As she becomes increasingly confident and independent , she begins wondering whether or not she still loves her missing spouse.

Written and directed by Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan The Adjuster is an examination of the sexual quirks of a married couple. Starring such Egoyan regulars as Elias Koteas Arsinée Khanjian Maury Chaykin and Don McKellar the film focuses on Noah Render (Koteas) an insurance adjuster who enjoys sleeping with his clients and his wife Hera (Khanjian) a film censor who finds excitement in making copies of the most explicit parts of the movies she's assigned to review. When they invite Bubba (Chaykin) into their house to make a movie the Renders find their lives becoming even more complex. McKellar plays a young film censor who works with Hera.

Written and directed by Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan , The Adjuster is an examination of the sexual quirks of a married couple. Starring such Egoyan regulars as Elias Koteas , Arsinée Khanjian , Maury Chaykin , and Don McKellar , the film focuses on Noah Render ( Koteas ), an insurance adjuster who enjoys sleeping with his clients , and his wife , Hera ( Khanjian ), a film censor who finds excitement in making copies of the most explicit parts of the movies she's assigned to review. When they invite Bubba ( Chaykin ) into their house to make a movie , the Renders find their lives becoming even more complex. McKellar plays a young film censor who works with Hera.

Directed by Atom Egoyan Felicia's Journey is a low-key psychological thriller about the relationship between a lovesick young woman and an older man with an ugly secret. Felicia (Elaine Cassidy) has lived all of her life in a small village in rural Ireland. She has fallen in love with a boy named Johnny (Peter McDonald) so when Johnny unexpectedly travels to England in search of a job Felicia wants to follow him -- especially since she's pregnant a fact that she's keeping secret from her family as well as Johnny. However Johnny's family refuses to give her his address so she leaves for Birmingham with only a sketchy idea of his whereabouts. Shortly after arriving Felicia encounters Joseph Ambrose Hilditch (Bob Hoskins) the meticulous manager of a catering concern. She needs a place to stay and he recommends a good bed-and-breakfast. They soon become friendly but Hilditch is more than just a mildly eccentric middle-aged man with a taste for French cuisine: he's had a long history of using and abusing homeless women and Felicia looks like she's doomed to be the next victim. Based on a novel by William Trevor Felicia's Journey was shown in competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.

Directed by Atom Egoyan , Felicia's Journey is a low - key psychological thriller about the relationship between a lovesick young woman and an older man with an ugly secret. Felicia ( Elaine Cassidy ) has lived all of her life in a small village in rural Ireland. She has fallen in love with a boy named Johnny ( Peter McDonald ), so when Johnny unexpectedly travels to England in search of a job , Felicia wants to follow him -- especially since she's pregnant , a fact that she's keeping secret from her family , as well as Johnny. However , Johnny's family refuses to give her his address , so she leaves for Birmingham with only a sketchy idea of his whereabouts. Shortly after arriving , Felicia encounters Joseph Ambrose Hilditch ( Bob Hoskins ), the meticulous manager of a catering concern. She needs a place to stay and he recommends a good bed - and - breakfast. They soon become friendly , but Hilditch is more than just a mildly eccentric middle - aged man with a taste for French cuisine : he's had a long history of using and abusing homeless women , and Felicia looks like she's doomed to be the next victim. Based on a novel by William Trevor , Felicia's Journey was shown in competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival .

Ten years after he disappeared from his family's life Sweet William (Chris Leavins) returns home to Nova Scotia for his sister's wedding. Despite the fact that he's gone from a morbidly obese adolescent to a thin handsome self-assured young man the reunion proves bittersweet. Although he reconnects with his loving sister Rosemary (Kerry Fox) and his Alzheimer's-afflicted grandmother Grace (Joan Orenstein) he is dismayed to learn that his parents' rocky marriage has settled into permanent animosity. He also witnesses the toll his absence has taken on his abusive alcoholic father Whiskey Mack (Peter MacNeill); his tight-lipped mother Iris (Seana McKenna); and Violet (Christine Dunsworth) the tomboyish younger sister he's never met. The past lingers in the very air of William's childhood home; disturbing visions of himself as both a waifish boy (Ian Parsons) and a fat adolescent (Troy Veinotte) follow him everywhere. And it's not just the ghosts who dredge up the past. Rosemary's new husband Fletcher (Joel S. Keller) flirts shamelessly with William bringing back memories of the painful relationship the two shared as teenagers. When Iris disappears William must confront not only the haunting visions of his past but also the unfinished business he left behind. The feature debut of writer/director Thom Fitzgerald The Hanging Garden was the winner of the Air Canada People's Choice Award for best picture and the co-winner of the Toronto-CITY TV Award for Best Canadian Film at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Ten years after he disappeared from his family's life , Sweet William ( Chris Leavins ) returns home to Nova Scotia for his sister's wedding. Despite the fact that he's gone from a morbidly obese adolescent to a thin , handsome , self - assured young man , the reunion proves bittersweet. Although he reconnects with his loving sister Rosemary ( Kerry Fox ) and his Alzheimer's - afflicted grandmother Grace ( Joan Orenstein ), he is dismayed to learn that his parents' rocky marriage has settled into permanent animosity. He also witnesses the toll his absence has taken on his abusive , alcoholic father , Whiskey Mack ( Peter MacNeill ); his tight - lipped mother Iris ( Seana McKenna ); and Violet ( Christine Dunsworth ), the tomboyish younger sister he's never met. The past lingers in the very air of William's childhood home ; disturbing visions of himself as both a waifish boy ( Ian Parsons ) and a fat adolescent ( Troy Veinotte ) follow him everywhere. And it's not just the ghosts who dredge up the past. Rosemary's new husband , Fletcher ( Joel S. Keller ), flirts shamelessly with William , bringing back memories of the painful relationship the two shared as teenagers. When Iris disappears , William must confront not only the haunting visions of his past , but also the unfinished business he left behind. The feature debut of writer / director Thom Fitzgerald , The Hanging Garden was the winner of the Air Canada People's Choice Award for best picture and the co - winner of the Toronto - CITY TV Award for Best Canadian Film at the Toronto International Film Festival .

In this strikingly original independent drama from Canada a young woman finds that her obsession with death is challenged when she falls in love with a handsome medical student. Sandra Larson (Molly Parker) was fascinated with the dead from an early age; as a girl she and her best friend would find the bodies of birds and small animals and devise funeral rituals for them though Sandra always took these adventures far more seriously than her compatriot. As Sandra matures into womanhood her obsession with the deceased begins to develop a sexual component but her necrophilia is not about lust so much as a spiritual yearning for the light and calm of death's embrace. In college Sandra studies embalming which allows her to study and embrace death on a daily basis and she finds work at a funeral home owned by Mr. Wallis (Jay Brazeau) a man who in his way shares her obsessions. One day at a coffeeshop Sandra meets Matt (Peter Outerbridge) who is studying to be a doctor; she senses that he knows her secrets and a tentative romance blooms between them. But while Matt wants to "cure" Sandra of her intimate feelings for death she finds that he's not capable of understanding her erotic nature which is directed within herself more than outward toward others. Understandably controversial upon its initial release (though far more subtle and poetic than one might expect given the subject matter) Kissed was the first feature film from director Lynne Stopkewich who previously distinguished herself as a production designer.

In this strikingly original independent drama from Canada , a young woman finds that her obsession with death is challenged when she falls in love with a handsome medical student. Sandra Larson ( Molly Parker ) was fascinated with the dead from an early age ; as a girl , she and her best friend would find the bodies of birds and small animals and devise funeral rituals for them , though Sandra always took these adventures far more seriously than her compatriot. As Sandra matures into womanhood , her obsession with the deceased begins to develop a sexual component , but her necrophilia is not about lust so much as a spiritual yearning for the light and calm of death's embrace. In college , Sandra studies embalming , which allows her to study and embrace death on a daily basis , and she finds work at a funeral home owned by Mr. Wallis ( Jay Brazeau ), a man who in his way shares her obsessions. One day at a coffeeshop , Sandra meets Matt ( Peter Outerbridge ), who is studying to be a doctor ; she senses that he knows her secrets , and a tentative romance blooms between them. But while Matt wants to "cure" Sandra of her intimate feelings for death , she finds that he's not capable of understanding her erotic nature , which is directed within herself more than outward toward others. Understandably controversial upon its initial release ( though far more subtle and poetic than one might expect given the subject matter ), Kissed was the first feature film from director Lynne Stopkewich , who previously distinguished herself as a production designer.

The often tragic lives of the residents of a Nova Scotia coal mining town are viewed through the eyes of a depressed young woman in this grim period drama. Set in the 1940s the film begins with a brief intentionally puzzling interlude before flashing back several years to focus on the story of Margaret MacNeil (Helena Bonham Carter). Margaret has suffered through the death of her father and her brother both of whom perished while working as coal miners and has subsequently developed a hatred for the mines that provide the town's primary source of economic support. When she finds herself attracted to charming stranger Neil (Clive Russell) she is thrilled to learn that he has no plans to work in the mines. When Margaret and Neil marry over the opposition of Margaret's stern mother (Kate Nelligan) financial troubles force him to go back on his word with unfortunate results. Based on several short stories by Sheldon Currie the film draws an unrelentingly bleak picture of its subject concentrating on the numerous hardships from black lung to deadly cave-ins that haunt the coal-mining community resulting in a gloomy and at times morbid drama.

The often tragic lives of the residents of a Nova Scotia coal mining town are viewed through the eyes of a depressed young woman in this grim period drama. Set in the 1940s , the film begins with a brief , intentionally puzzling interlude before flashing back several years to focus on the story of Margaret MacNeil ( Helena Bonham Carter ) . Margaret has suffered through the death of her father and her brother , both of whom perished while working as coal miners , and has subsequently developed a hatred for the mines that provide the town's primary source of economic support. When she finds herself attracted to charming stranger Neil ( Clive Russell ), she is thrilled to learn that he has no plans to work in the mines. When Margaret and Neil marry over the opposition of Margaret's stern mother ( Kate Nelligan ), financial troubles force him to go back on his word , with unfortunate results. Based on several short stories by Sheldon Currie , the film draws an unrelentingly bleak picture of its subject , concentrating on the numerous hardships , from black lung to deadly cave - ins , that haunt the coal - mining community , resulting in a gloomy and at times morbid drama.

The "Moonie" cult of the 1970s and '80s has been cited as the principal inspiration for the 1981 Canadian production Ticket to Heaven. Nick Mancuso plays impressionable youth David Kappel who after breaking up with his girlfriend tries to find an emotional balm by joining a religious sect. The first portion of the film details David's indoctrination into the group. The remaining portion concerns the efforts made by his parents to locate their thoroughly brainwashed son. R.H. Thomson dominates the final scenes as a "deprogrammer" hired to shake David out of his religious euphoria. Ticket to Heaven was based on Moonwebs a novel by Josh Freed.

The "Moonie" cult of the 1970s and '80s has been cited as the principal inspiration for the 1981 Canadian production Ticket to Heaven . Nick Mancuso plays impressionable youth David Kappel , who , after breaking up with his girlfriend , tries to find an emotional balm by joining a religious sect. The first portion of the film details David's indoctrination into the group. The remaining portion concerns the efforts made by his parents to locate their thoroughly brainwashed son. R.H. Thomson dominates the final scenes as a "deprogrammer" hired to shake David out of his religious euphoria. Ticket to Heaven was based on Moonwebs , a novel by Josh Freed .

Lensed on a smile and a shoeshine on 16 millimeter I've Heard the Mermaids Singing effectively shifts from black and white to color and back again to make its artistic statement. Sheila McCarthy stars as a self-effacing amateur photographer who goes to work for yuppie art-curator Paule Baillargeon. Ms. McCarthy expresses her admiration for Ms. Baillargeon by secretly submitting the latter's paintings to some appreciative critics. Baillargeon responds by behaving atrociously towards McCarthy. This shakes up McCarthy to the point that she realizes she'll never succeed as an artist on her own terms long as she hides behind the accomplishments of others. This apparently autobiographical first film by director Patricia Rozema (we say "apparently" because Sheila McCarthy's character name is rhythmically and ethnically close to Rozema's) won the Prix de la Jeunesse at the Cannes Film Festival.

Lensed on a smile and a shoeshine on 16 millimeter , I've Heard the Mermaids Singing effectively shifts from black and white to color and back again to make its artistic statement. Sheila McCarthy stars as a self - effacing amateur photographer who goes to work for yuppie art - curator Paule Baillargeon . Ms. McCarthy expresses her admiration for Ms. Baillargeon by secretly submitting the latter's paintings to some appreciative critics. Baillargeon responds by behaving atrociously towards McCarthy . This shakes up McCarthy to the point that she realizes she'll never succeed as an artist on her own terms long as she hides behind the accomplishments of others. This apparently autobiographical first film by director Patricia Rozema ( we say "apparently" because Sheila McCarthy 's character name is rhythmically and ethnically close to Rozema 's ) won the Prix de la Jeunesse at the Cannes Film Festival .

Peter Medak's The Changeling is among a handful of films including The Haunting (1963) Ghost Story (1981) and Lady in White (1988) that have successfully recreated the intimate drawing-room atmosphere of supernatural horror fiction. After his wife and daughter are killed in a snowbound car accident classical composer John Russell (George C. Scott) relocates from New York to Seattle to teach at his alma mater. Looking for a quiet place to rest and continue writing music he is referred Claire Norman (Trish Van Devere) at the Seattle Historical Preservation Society. Claire shows John a large sparsely furnished estate in the outlying countryside. He takes the house appreciating its remoteness and the solitude it might afford and diverts himself by renovating and settling in. He even starts to compose putting aside his older work in favor of a new sentimental piece for the piano. It is not long however before he begins having nightmares about the accident that killed his wife and daughter. Possibly because of this trauma he is open to communications from the house's ghostly occupants. Pursuing a loud repetitive pounding noise in an upper room he stumbles on the apparition of a young boy drowning in a tub. Working together with Claire John discovers frightening parallels between this vision and buried events from the house's past. Horror writer M.R. James once said that his goal as a writer was to make the reader feel "pleasantly uncomfortable." Those looking for a similar experience in movies will appreciate The Changeling as a gem in the horror genre.

Peter Medak 's The Changeling is among a handful of films , including The Haunting ( 1963 ), Ghost Story ( 1981 ), and Lady in White ( 1988 ), that have successfully recreated the intimate , drawing - room atmosphere of supernatural horror fiction. After his wife and daughter are killed in a snowbound car accident , classical composer John Russell ( George C. Scott ) relocates from New York to Seattle to teach at his alma mater. Looking for a quiet place to rest and continue writing music , he is referred Claire Norman ( Trish Van Devere ) at the Seattle Historical Preservation Society. Claire shows John a large , sparsely furnished estate in the outlying countryside. He takes the house , appreciating its remoteness and the solitude it might afford , and diverts himself by renovating and settling in. He even starts to compose , putting aside his older work in favor of a new , sentimental piece for the piano. It is not long , however , before he begins having nightmares about the accident that killed his wife and daughter. Possibly because of this trauma , he is open to communications from the house's ghostly occupants. Pursuing a loud , repetitive pounding noise in an upper room , he stumbles on the apparition of a young boy drowning in a tub. Working together with Claire , John discovers frightening parallels between this vision and buried events from the house's past. Horror writer M.R. James once said that his goal as a writer was to make the reader feel "pleasantly uncomfortable." Those looking for a similar experience in movies will appreciate The Changeling as a gem in the horror genre.

Office workers existing in varying states of disgruntlement/insanity Tom Sandra Randy and Curt bet a month's salary to see who can stay indoors the longest. Since their office is located in a downtown area where almost all of the buildings are connected by a system of glass-enclosed bridges this doesn't seem like such a difficult proposition. However the longer they stay indoors the stranger things get. Waydowntown which was screened at the 2000 Vancouver International Film Festival was directed and co-written by noted Canadian filmmaker Gary Burns and features celebrated actor and filmmaker Don McKellar in a role as a cubicle drone.

Office workers existing in varying states of disgruntlement / insanity , Tom , Sandra , Randy , and Curt bet a month's salary to see who can stay indoors the longest. Since their office is located in a downtown area , where almost all of the buildings are connected by a system of glass - enclosed bridges , this doesn't seem like such a difficult proposition. However , the longer they stay indoors , the stranger things get. Waydowntown , which was screened at the 2000 Vancouver International Film Festival , was directed and co - written by noted Canadian filmmaker Gary Burns , and features celebrated actor and filmmaker Don McKellar in a role as a cubicle drone.

The story of George Adamson whose work helped inspire the book and subsequent film Born Free is continued in the fact-based drama To Walk With Lions. In Kenya in the late 1980's Tony Fitzjohn (John Michie) is a young man from London who has a job as a driver with a safari guide company. However Tony's commitment is less to exploring the wilds than in picking up women (especially wealthy tourists) so when he's fired Tony just wants to get another job fast to get airfare home. The first position he finds is assisting George Adamson (Richard Harris) who with his bother Terence (Ian Bannen) helps "rehabilitate" lions from zoos and returns them to the wild. George is more devoted to his animals than to most people but a bond of respect and understanding develops between George and Tony and Tony develops a similar rapport with the lions. Tony also develops a different sort of attachment to Lucy (Kerry Fox) a British anthropologist studying indigenous tribes in Kenya. However the tone shifts when George's ex-wife Joy (Honor Blackman) arrives for a visit. George and Joy did not separate on cordial terms and their meeting is brief and contentious (while Joy made a tidy sum from the book Born Free George never received any of the money for his continuing work with the lions). Shortly after her departure Joy is killed by one of her servants. While To Walk With Lions is in several respects critical of the wildlife policies of the Kenyan government the film was financed in part by Kenyans and was filmed in Kenya with the support and cooperation of state authorities.

The story of George Adamson , whose work helped inspire the book and subsequent film Born Free , is continued in the fact - based drama To Walk With Lions . In Kenya in the late 1980's , Tony Fitzjohn ( John Michie ) is a young man from London who has a job as a driver with a safari guide company. However , Tony's commitment is less to exploring the wilds than in picking up women ( especially wealthy tourists ), so when he's fired , Tony just wants to get another job fast to get airfare home. The first position he finds is assisting George Adamson ( Richard Harris ), who with his bother Terence ( Ian Bannen ) helps "rehabilitate" lions from zoos and returns them to the wild. George is more devoted to his animals than to most people , but a bond of respect and understanding develops between George and Tony , and Tony develops a similar rapport with the lions. Tony also develops a different sort of attachment to Lucy ( Kerry Fox ), a British anthropologist studying indigenous tribes in Kenya. However , the tone shifts when George's ex - wife , Joy ( Honor Blackman ) arrives for a visit. George and Joy did not separate on cordial terms , and their meeting is brief and contentious ( while Joy made a tidy sum from the book Born Free , George never received any of the money for his continuing work with the lions ) . Shortly after her departure , Joy is killed by one of her servants. While To Walk With Lions is in several respects critical of the wildlife policies of the Kenyan government , the film was financed in part by Kenyans and was filmed in Kenya with the support and cooperation of state authorities.

After surviving a brutal car wreck commercial director James Ballard finds himself slowly drawn to a mysterious subculture of people who have transformed automobile accidents into erotic events. Like the J.G. Ballard novel that inspired it David Cronenberg's study of the sexual dimension of man's relationship to technology was a magnet for controversy drawing a NC-17 rating and criticism from several sources including studio owner Ted Turner who attempted to prevent the film's American release. But though some have leveled charges of pornography James' descent into this fetishistic underworld is approached with cold scientific detachment. Characters like Vaughn the charismatic group leader who stages recreations of celebrity car crashes seem more like driven researchers than sexual renegades which is undoubtedly part of the film's point. This impression is reinforced by the pristine cinematography by Peter Suschitzsky which proves particularly haunting during a crucial accident scene and Howard Shore's superb score. Far from exploitative Crash in fact proves less transgressive than the original novel but is still undoubtedly not for all tastes.

After surviving a brutal car wreck , commercial director James Ballard finds himself slowly drawn to a mysterious subculture of people who have transformed automobile accidents into erotic events. Like the J.G. Ballard novel that inspired it , David Cronenberg 's study of the sexual dimension of man's relationship to technology was a magnet for controversy , drawing a NC - 17 rating and criticism from several sources , including studio owner Ted Turner , who attempted to prevent the film's American release. But though some have leveled charges of pornography , James' descent into this fetishistic underworld is approached with cold , scientific detachment. Characters like Vaughn , the charismatic group leader who stages recreations of celebrity car crashes , seem more like driven researchers than sexual renegades , which is undoubtedly part of the film's point. This impression is reinforced by the pristine cinematography by Peter Suschitzsky , which proves particularly haunting during a crucial accident scene , and Howard Shore 's superb score. Far from exploitative , Crash in fact proves less transgressive than the original novel , but is still undoubtedly not for all tastes.

Love jealousy revenge and forbidden homosexual passion color this alternately campy and dramatic adaptation of a play by Michel Marc Bouchard. Operating at different levels the story begins in 1952 inside a Quebec prison chapel where hard-core convict Simon Doucet offers confession to Bishop Bilodeau who has come especially to see him. But no sooner does the Bishop enter the confessional than he is locked in by other inmates and forced to watch them enact gay love scenes from the play The Death of San Sebastian. The story moves backwards to 1912 when Bilodeau and Simon were lusty young boys. Their affair falls apart when Simon takes up with Vallier. This angers Bilodeau who does something terrible in retaliation. Meanwhile back in the present Simon attempts to force Bilodeau into owning up to his actions. In keeping with the film's gay themes all roles male and female are portrayed by men.

Love , jealousy , revenge and forbidden homosexual passion color this alternately campy and dramatic adaptation of a play by Michel Marc Bouchard . Operating at different levels , the story begins in 1952 inside a Quebec prison chapel where hard - core convict Simon Doucet offers confession to Bishop Bilodeau who has come especially to see him. But no sooner does the Bishop enter the confessional than he is locked in by other inmates and forced to watch them enact gay love scenes from the play The Death of San Sebastian . The story moves backwards to 1912 when Bilodeau and Simon were lusty young boys. Their affair falls apart when Simon takes up with Vallier. This angers Bilodeau who does something terrible in retaliation. Meanwhile , back in the present , Simon attempts to force Bilodeau into owning up to his actions. In keeping with the film's gay themes , all roles , male and female , are portrayed by men.

Family ghosts generational conflict and the immigrant experience frame this episodic comedy-drama about a Chinese-born Canadian woman's quest for self-definition which marked the debut of writer/director Mina Shum. Jade Li (Sandra Oh) an aspiring actress in her early twenties lives at home with her strict father (Stephen Chang) her dutiful mother (Alannah Ong) and her sweet younger sister Pearl (Frances You). Their older brother Winston has been disowned -- a fate Jade is not eager to share both for her own sake and to spare her family pain. Therefore although she manages to land a few bit parts on camera Jade spends most of her time working in the shop owned by a family friend performing the duties of a respectful daughter and suffering through arranged dates with prosperous young Chinese men. An adept cultural chameleon though she also leads a double life hanging out with best friend Lisa (Claudette Carracedo) and beginning a tentative romance with Caucasian college student Mark (Callum Keith Rennie). When her father's childhood friend arrives for a visit however Jade must juggle her competing identities even more carefully than usual lest her choice of professions -- and boyfriends -- shame her father. After premiering at the 1994 Toronto International Film Festival Double Happiness won several international awards and made its U.S. bow at Sundance in 1995. Writer/director Shum -- who like her protagonist was born in Hong Kong but raised in Canada -- appears briefly on camera as a casting director who doesn't think Jade is Chinese enough. Oh who is actually of Korean descent won a best actress Genie Award (the Canadian equivalent of an Oscar) for her portrayal of Jade. The part of Dad Li marked a departure for Chang a frequent martial arts movie villain and real-life friend of Bruce Lee.

Family ghosts , generational conflict , and the immigrant experience frame this episodic comedy - drama about a Chinese - born Canadian woman's quest for self - definition , which marked the debut of writer / director Mina Shum . Jade Li ( Sandra Oh ), an aspiring actress in her early twenties , lives at home with her strict father ( Stephen Chang ), her dutiful mother ( Alannah Ong ), and her sweet younger sister , Pearl ( Frances You ) . Their older brother , Winston , has been disowned -- a fate Jade is not eager to share , both for her own sake and to spare her family pain. Therefore , although she manages to land a few bit parts on camera , Jade spends most of her time working in the shop owned by a family friend , performing the duties of a respectful daughter and suffering through arranged dates with prosperous young Chinese men. An adept cultural chameleon , though , she also leads a double life , hanging out with best friend Lisa ( Claudette Carracedo ) and beginning a tentative romance with Caucasian college student Mark ( Callum Keith Rennie ) . When her father's childhood friend arrives for a visit , however , Jade must juggle her competing identities even more carefully than usual , lest her choice of professions -- and boyfriends -- shame her father. After premiering at the 1994 Toronto International Film Festival , Double Happiness won several international awards and made its U.S. bow at Sundance in 1995. Writer / director Shum -- who , like her protagonist , was born in Hong Kong but raised in Canada -- appears briefly on camera as a casting director who doesn't think Jade is Chinese enough. Oh , who is actually of Korean descent , won a best actress Genie Award ( the Canadian equivalent of an Oscar ) for her portrayal of Jade. The part of Dad Li marked a departure for Chang , a frequent martial arts movie villain and real - life friend of Bruce Lee .

This Canadian drama based on a book by W.P. Kinsella examines the tension between Indians and Anglos in Canada from an Indian perspective. Silas Crow who lives on a Northern Ontario reserve wants to take a mechanic's course in Toronto with his friend Frank Fencepost. But before he can enroll the teen must write a short narrative describing his home. The film is a series of vignette's from Crow's narrative. The vignette's are alternately funny and poignant.

This Canadian drama based on a book by W.P. Kinsella , examines the tension between Indians and Anglos in Canada from an Indian perspective. Silas Crow , who lives on a Northern Ontario reserve , wants to take a mechanic's course in Toronto with his friend Frank Fencepost. But before he can enroll , the teen must write a short narrative describing his home. The film is a series of vignette's from Crow's narrative. The vignette's are alternately funny and poignant.

ased on a novel by Margaret Atwood this suspenseful psycho-sexual drama chronicles a young woman's quest through the wilderness to find her father.

Based on a novel by Margaret Atwood , this suspenseful psycho - sexual drama chronicles a young woman's quest through the wilderness to find her father.

efore his death in 1993 director Francis Mankiewicz was Canadian television's premiere filmmaker. One of his rare theatrical films Les Bons Debarras was also among his best (despite its overlength); certainly the judges of Canada's Genie Awards thought so when honoring the film with their "Best Picture" award for 1981. Set amongst a middle-class Quebec family the film concerns itself with a love triangle consisting of Charlotte Laurier Germaine Houde and Marie Tifo.

Before his death in 1993 , director Francis Mankiewicz was Canadian television's premiere filmmaker. One of his rare theatrical films , Les Bons Debarras , was also among his best ( despite its overlength ); certainly the judges of Canada's Genie Awards thought so when honoring the film with their "Best Picture" award for 1981. Set amongst a middle - class Quebec family , the film concerns itself with a love triangle , consisting of Charlotte Laurier , Germaine Houde and Marie Tifo .

Exploring concepts of fate and free will Jerry Ciccoritti's contemplative drama shows the lives of a handful of random people during the 12 hours leading up to a bloody shooting spree in a posh coffee shop. Maggie (Emily Hampshire) is a waitress in the café whose acting career is going nowhere fast. Her co-worker Connie (Sarah Polley) who is learning to love her lawyer boyfriend is supposed to have the day off. Sheena (Catherine O'Hara) who frequents the shop is a lovelorn bridal consultant looking for a decent man. And Brian (Stephen Rea) an exterminator/philosopher is still mourning the death of his daughter who died a year ago. Their petty everyday problems gain ironic resonance when juxtaposed with the day's bloody ending. This film was screened at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival.

Exploring concepts of fate and free will , Jerry Ciccoritti 's contemplative drama shows the lives of a handful of random people during the 12 hours leading up to a bloody shooting spree in a posh coffee shop. Maggie ( Emily Hampshire ) is a waitress in the café whose acting career is going nowhere fast. Her co - worker Connie ( Sarah Polley ), who is learning to love her lawyer boyfriend , is supposed to have the day off. Sheena ( Catherine O'Hara ), who frequents the shop , is a lovelorn bridal consultant looking for a decent man. And Brian ( Stephen Rea ), an exterminator / philosopher , is still mourning the death of his daughter , who died a year ago. Their petty , everyday problems gain ironic resonance when juxtaposed with the day's bloody ending. This film was screened at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival .

Five characters serve as metaphors for the five senses in this drama about human relationships from Canadian filmmaker Jeremy Podeswa. Ruth (Gabrielle Rose) works as a massage therapist; one day while giving a rubdown to Anna (Molly Parker) Ruth's teenage daughter Rachel (Nadia Litz) takes Anna's toddler daughter for a stroll in the park. However Rachel loses track of the child and she's soon lost. While searching for her Rachel meets Rupert (Brendan Fletcher) a voyeur who teaches her about the pleasures of observing others. Meanwhile Robert (Daniel MacIvor) is a professional house cleaner with an unusually keen sense of smell. Convinced he can smell love he starts to set up meetings with all of his former lovers to see if he can sniff out any feelings for him -- and if not find out why they stopped caring for him. Robert's friend Rona (Mary-Louise Parker) works as a baker but has no sense of taste a severe occupational hazard. She also has romantic problems thanks to the arrival of Roberto (Marco Leonardi) a man she met on a recent vacation in Italy. Finally Richard (Philippe Volter) is an eye doctor who is losing his hearing. While this situation has left him horribly depressed he meets a woman who helps him feel better about life.

Five characters serve as metaphors for the five senses in this drama about human relationships from Canadian filmmaker Jeremy Podeswa . Ruth ( Gabrielle Rose ) works as a massage therapist ; one day while giving a rubdown to Anna ( Molly Parker ), Ruth's teenage daughter Rachel ( Nadia Litz ) takes Anna's toddler daughter for a stroll in the park. However , Rachel loses track of the child and she's soon lost. While searching for her , Rachel meets Rupert ( Brendan Fletcher ), a voyeur who teaches her about the pleasures of observing others. Meanwhile , Robert ( Daniel MacIvor ) is a professional house cleaner with an unusually keen sense of smell. Convinced he can smell love , he starts to set up meetings with all of his former lovers to see if he can sniff out any feelings for him -- and , if not , find out why they stopped caring for him. Robert's friend Rona ( Mary - Louise Parker ) works as a baker but has no sense of taste , a severe occupational hazard. She also has romantic problems , thanks to the arrival of Roberto ( Marco Leonardi ), a man she met on a recent vacation in Italy. Finally , Richard ( Philippe Volter ) is an eye doctor who is losing his hearing. While this situation has left him horribly depressed , he meets a woman who helps him feel better about life.

Writer/director Peter Wellington's Joe's So Mean to Josephine tracks the slow unraveling of a dysfunctional relationship. Josephine (Sarah Polley from Go) a smart but immature college girl living in Toronto is out drinking with some friends when she sees Joe (Eric Thal) sitting at the bar. Joe is cute wears a leather jacket and seems quite unfriendly. Josephine is intrigued enough to smile at Joe as he leaves the bar. Joe ignores her. The next morning Josephine wakes up to find Joe in her kitchen arguing with her mother (Dixie Seatle). It turns out that when Joe's not earning an extra dollar illegally wiretapping phone lines he works as a telephone repairman. Josephine approaches him and introduces herself. He doesn't seem particularly interested. Later Josephine steps out of a bar and sees Joe waiting for his hapless partner-in-crime Mike (Canadian indie superstar Don McKellar). Joe is pretty cold to her but this time he invites her out to eat. She's nervous but delighted and ends up going home with him. After their tryst she shows up at his job and then at his apartment and she buys a goldfish for his empty aquarium. He seems sick of her and treats her rudely. She tells him off and leaves which he likes. When she returns later he's nicer to her and they start dating again. But when they run into some of her friends from the newspaper where she works Joe's rude to them and the two argue. Eventually Josephine moves out of her parents' house and in with her friend Mona (Waneta Storms). Her budding writing career starts coming together and Joe feels threatened by her success. She tries to break up with him but finds he's not so easy to get rid of.

Writer / director Peter Wellington 's Joe's So Mean to Josephine tracks the slow unraveling of a dysfunctional relationship. Josephine ( Sarah Polley from Go ), a smart but immature college girl living in Toronto , is out drinking with some friends when she sees Joe ( Eric Thal ) sitting at the bar. Joe is cute , wears a leather jacket , and seems quite unfriendly. Josephine is intrigued enough to smile at Joe as he leaves the bar. Joe ignores her. The next morning , Josephine wakes up to find Joe in her kitchen , arguing with her mother ( Dixie Seatle ) . It turns out that when Joe's not earning an extra dollar illegally wiretapping phone lines , he works as a telephone repairman. Josephine approaches him and introduces herself. He doesn't seem particularly interested. Later , Josephine steps out of a bar and sees Joe waiting for his hapless partner - in - crime , Mike ( Canadian indie superstar Don McKellar ) . Joe is pretty cold to her , but this time , he invites her out to eat. She's nervous , but delighted , and ends up going home with him. After their tryst , she shows up at his job , and then at his apartment , and she buys a goldfish for his empty aquarium. He seems sick of her , and treats her rudely. She tells him off and leaves , which he likes. When she returns later , he's nicer to her , and they start dating again. But when they run into some of her friends from the newspaper where she works , Joe's rude to them , and the two argue. Eventually , Josephine moves out of her parents' house , and in with her friend , Mona ( Waneta Storms ) . Her budding writing career starts coming together , and Joe feels threatened by her success. She tries to break up with him , but finds he's not so easy to get rid of.

Tian Zhuangzhuang a charter member of China's politically beleaguered so-called Fifth Generation of Directors (along with Ju Dou's Zhang Yimou) made this film about the gradual disintegration of an entire family targeted by Mao's political reformation movements of the '50s and '60s. Told in a series of three stories the audience sees the little boy Tietou and his mother try and try again to rebuild their lives from the ashes left them by the madness of the era. Director Tian works from a palette of primary colors on widescreen images that are often fixed in an icy-white Kubrickian glare of omnipresent paranoia. Yet much of The Blue Kite is resplendent with palpable signs of ordinary life: noisy kids happy weddings loud mealtimes. Tian amplifies the human element of these heady days so that viewers may genuinely feel the humanity ripped from this story as events overtake and shatter all hope.

Tian Zhuangzhuang , a charter member of China's politically beleaguered , so - called Fifth Generation of Directors ( along with Ju Dou 's Zhang Yimou ), made this film about the gradual disintegration of an entire family targeted by Mao's political reformation movements of the '50s and '60s. Told in a series of three stories , the audience sees the little boy Tietou and his mother try and try again to rebuild their lives from the ashes left them by the madness of the era. Director Tian works from a palette of primary colors on widescreen images that are often fixed in an icy - white Kubrickian glare of omnipresent paranoia. Yet much of The Blue Kite is resplendent with palpable signs of ordinary life : noisy kids , happy weddings , loud mealtimes. Tian amplifies the human element of these heady days , so that viewers may genuinely feel the humanity ripped from this story as events overtake and shatter all hope.

Until Farewell My Concubine (Ba Wang Bie Ji) not many people were aware that most members of the Peking Opera were originally orphans or illegitimate castaways with nowhere else to turn. Such is the case of the film's protagonists Duan Xiaolou (Zhang Fengyi) and Cheng Dieyi (Leslie Cheung) two homeless outcasts trained from childhood in the grueling rigors of the Opera by master Lu Qui. The film traces the 52-year friendship between Xiaolou and Dieyi a friendship pockmarked with fiery conflicts and tender reconciliations. Though the delicate Dieyi specializes in female roles and the gutsy Xiaolou plays noble warriors theirs is an essentially heterosexual relationship; still when Xiaolou takes upon himself a prostitute bride (the magnificent Gong Li) Dieyi is as petty and jealous as an outcast mistress. Farewell My Concubine holds the viewer in thrall from start to finish; as such it is thoroughly deserving of its many international film awards and nominations. Surprisingly this worldwide success was something of a flop in its home country of China; perhaps it hit too close to home for those viewers who'd lived through the same years so painstakingly recreated in the film.

Until Farewell , My Concubine ( Ba Wang Bie Ji ), not many people were aware that most members of the Peking Opera were originally orphans or illegitimate castaways with nowhere else to turn. Such is the case of the film's protagonists , Duan Xiaolou ( Zhang Fengyi ) and Cheng Dieyi ( Leslie Cheung ), two homeless outcasts , trained from childhood in the grueling rigors of the Opera by master Lu Qui. The film traces the 52 - year friendship between Xiaolou and Dieyi , a friendship pockmarked with fiery conflicts and tender reconciliations. Though the delicate Dieyi specializes in female roles and the gutsy Xiaolou plays noble warriors , theirs is an essentially heterosexual relationship ; still , when Xiaolou takes upon himself a prostitute bride ( the magnificent Gong Li ), Dieyi is as petty and jealous as an outcast mistress. Farewell , My Concubine holds the viewer in thrall from start to finish ; as such , it is thoroughly deserving of its many international film awards and nominations. Surprisingly , this worldwide success was something of a flop in its home country of China ; perhaps it hit too close to home for those viewers who'd lived through the same years so painstakingly recreated in the film.

With The Story of Qiu Ju internationally acclaimed Chinese director Zhang Yimou shifts his attention from powerful historical dramas (Raise the Red Lantern and Ju Dou) to contemporary life. Gong Li plays the titular heroine an average woman in a rural village whose life is unexceptional until her husband is physically attacked by the village elder. When the elder refuses to apologize Qiu Ju decides to seek legal action with the help of a local magistrate. Soon her quest for simple justice balloons into a series of frustrating battles with a complicated and unproductive bureaucracy. In contrast to the rich painterly look of his previous films Zhang adopts an unadorned realistic style that allows the film's increasingly absurd situations to speak for themselves. Indeed while the look at government gone wrong has serious underpinnings the overall tone remains one of understated satire. As might be expected The Story of Qiu Ju was received with greater appreciation by international critics than in its home country.

With The Story of Qiu Ju , internationally acclaimed Chinese director Zhang Yimou shifts his attention from powerful historical dramas ( Raise the Red Lantern and Ju Dou ) to contemporary life. Gong Li plays the titular heroine , an average woman in a rural village whose life is unexceptional until her husband is physically attacked by the village elder. When the elder refuses to apologize , Qiu Ju decides to seek legal action with the help of a local magistrate. Soon , her quest for simple justice balloons into a series of frustrating battles with a complicated and unproductive bureaucracy. In contrast to the rich , painterly look of his previous films , Zhang adopts an unadorned , realistic style that allows the film's increasingly absurd situations to speak for themselves. Indeed , while the look at government gone wrong has serious underpinnings , the overall tone remains one of understated satire. As might be expected , The Story of Qiu Ju was received with greater appreciation by international critics than in its home country.

A dark sensual and visually sumptuous drama Ju Dou centers on the title character the third wife of a wealthy silk dyer in 1920s China. Forced into marriage by poverty Ju Dou is repeatedly mistreated and cruelly disciplined by her husband Jin-shan for failing to bear him an heir. Her suffering attracts the sympathy of Jin-shan's younger kinder nephew Tian-qing and the two begin a secret affair that could have tragic consequences. Spanning the course of many years the film's narrative takes several surprising turns defying expectations and complicating audience sympathies. None of the film's characters is wholly heroic or evil allowing all three central performers -- Li Bao-tian as Tian-qing Li Wei as Jin-shan and the luminous Gong Li as Ju Dou -- to fashion memorable complex portrayals. Director Zhang Yimou a former cinematographer uses gorgeously saturated images that emphasize his story's elemental nature which often recalls classical tragedy. Met with controversy in China due to supposed political overtones that worried government officials Ju Dou received fairer treatment overseas winning an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film and numerous festival prizes.

A dark , sensual , and visually sumptuous drama , Ju Dou centers on the title character , the third wife of a wealthy silk dyer in 1920s China. Forced into marriage by poverty , Ju Dou is repeatedly mistreated and cruelly disciplined by her husband , Jin - shan , for failing to bear him an heir. Her suffering attracts the sympathy of Jin - shan's younger , kinder nephew , Tian - qing , and the two begin a secret affair that could have tragic consequences. Spanning the course of many years , the film's narrative takes several surprising turns , defying expectations and complicating audience sympathies. None of the film's characters is wholly heroic or evil , allowing all three central performers -- Li Bao - tian as Tian - qing , Li Wei as Jin - shan , and the luminous Gong Li as Ju Dou -- to fashion memorable , complex portrayals. Director Zhang Yimou , a former cinematographer , uses gorgeously saturated images that emphasize his story's elemental nature , which often recalls classical tragedy. Met with controversy in China due to supposed political overtones that worried government officials , Ju Dou received fairer treatment overseas , winning an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film and numerous festival prizes.

In a village in China mired in poverty Gao (Gao Enman) is the lone teacher in a school so threadbare he must ration chalk to make sure he has enough for the day. The destitution of the village is not limited to the school; some of the children sleep in the schoolhouse because they have nowhere else to go and many students have already dropped out to go to work to help feed their families. Gao is forced to leave town for a month and no one in the village is able to take over for him except a 13-year-old girl Wei Minzhi (Wei Minzhi) who possesses only the most rudimentary education herself. What she lacks in educational credential she makes up for in determination -- she needs money and teaching is an honest job that pays and since she'll get a 10 yuan bonus if all 28 students are still attending when Gao gets back she is determined that no one will drop out on her watch. So when one student turns up missing and word has it he's been sent to the city by his mother to work she travels to the city to look for him. In a place where thousands of children are working in the underground labor force or begging on the street one boy hardly stands out from the crowd and she has little luck. However she's able to persuade a sympathetic TV station manager to let her make an announcement in hopes someone knows where he has gone. Despite its serious and often grim theme Yi Ge Dou Bu Neng Shao is often light in tone and draws on the strength and humor of its characters; the film won the Golden Lion at the 1999 Venice Film Festival.

In a village in China mired in poverty , Gao ( Gao Enman ) is the lone teacher in a school so threadbare he must ration chalk to make sure he has enough for the day. The destitution of the village is not limited to the school ; some of the children sleep in the schoolhouse because they have nowhere else to go , and many students have already dropped out to go to work to help feed their families. Gao is forced to leave town for a month , and no one in the village is able to take over for him except a 13 - year - old girl , Wei Minzhi ( Wei Minzhi ), who possesses only the most rudimentary education herself. What she lacks in educational credential , she makes up for in determination -- she needs money , and teaching is an honest job that pays , and since she'll get a 10 yuan bonus if all 28 students are still attending when Gao gets back , she is determined that no one will drop out on her watch. So when one student turns up missing , and word has it he's been sent to the city by his mother to work , she travels to the city to look for him. In a place where thousands of children are working in the underground labor force or begging on the street , one boy hardly stands out from the crowd , and she has little luck. However , she's able to persuade a sympathetic TV station manager to let her make an announcement in hopes someone knows where he has gone. Despite its serious and often grim theme , Yi Ge Dou Bu Neng Shao is often light in tone and draws on the strength and humor of its characters ; the film won the Golden Lion at the 1999 Venice Film Festival.

Zhang Yimou often regarded as China's leading contemporary filmmaker directed this drama chronicling the ebb and flow of one family's fortunes set against the backdrop of China's tumultuous history between the 1940s and the 1970s. Fugui (Ge You) is the father of a once-wealthy family whose addiction to gambling and chronic bad luck causes him to lose his home in a game of dice with Long'er (Ni Dabong). Fugui's wife Jiazhen (Gong Li) abandons him and he finds himself working as a peddler until the man who now owns his home gives him a pair of shadow puppets. Fugui learns the art of puppetry and travels as a performer; while on the road he is arrested by Nationalist forces until he is liberated by advancing Red Army factions and he comes him home to his wife and children as they adapt to the nation's new leadership. While once a lazy spendthrift Fugui vows to change his ways and he struggles to become a better worker and citizen. But Fugui and his family soon realize that there is adversity waiting for them around every corner and the onset of the Cultural Revolution makes it clear that China's new regime can be as corrupt and callous as the old order. While a Grand Prize winner at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival and recipient of the Best Foreign Language Film award at the 1995 BAFTA Awards Huozhe did not fare well in its homeland. Chinese censors objected to the film's commentary about political abuses in China's past as well as Zhang Yimou's attempts to present the film at several international festivals. As punishment he was forced to write a formal apology and was not allowed to make another film for two years.

Zhang Yimou , often regarded as China's leading contemporary filmmaker , directed this drama chronicling the ebb and flow of one family's fortunes , set against the backdrop of China's tumultuous history between the 1940s and the 1970s. Fugui ( Ge You ) is the father of a once - wealthy family whose addiction to gambling and chronic bad luck causes him to lose his home in a game of dice with Long'er ( Ni Dabong ) . Fugui's wife Jiazhen ( Gong Li ) abandons him , and he finds himself working as a peddler , until the man who now owns his home gives him a pair of shadow puppets. Fugui learns the art of puppetry and travels as a performer ; while on the road , he is arrested by Nationalist forces , until he is liberated by advancing Red Army factions , and he comes him home to his wife and children as they adapt to the nation's new leadership. While once a lazy spendthrift , Fugui vows to change his ways , and he struggles to become a better worker and citizen. But Fugui and his family soon realize that there is adversity waiting for them around every corner , and the onset of the Cultural Revolution makes it clear that China's new regime can be as corrupt and callous as the old order. While a Grand Prize winner at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival and recipient of the Best Foreign Language Film award at the 1995 BAFTA Awards , Huozhe did not fare well in its homeland. Chinese censors objected to the film's commentary about political abuses in China's past , as well as Zhang Yimou 's attempts to present the film at several international festivals. As punishment , he was forced to write a formal apology and was not allowed to make another film for two years.

Red Sorghum was the first directorial effort of controversial Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou. The director's favorite leading lady Gong Li plays a young woman of the 1920s whose family sells her into marriage with a wealthy winemaker. At first a loveless union the relationship blossoms into one of strong friendship and mutual respect. During World War II Gong Li fights side by side with her husband against the invading Japanese. A sweeping yet intensely personal historical epic Red Sorghum won the 1988 Golden Bear award at the Berlin Film Festival. Despite its patriotic overtones the film was heavily censored (when not banned altogether) in certain provinces of Communist China.

Red Sorghum was the first directorial effort of controversial Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou . The director's favorite leading lady Gong Li plays a young woman of the 1920s whose family sells her into marriage with a wealthy winemaker. At first a loveless union , the relationship blossoms into one of strong friendship and mutual respect. During World War II , Gong Li fights side by side with her husband against the invading Japanese. A sweeping yet intensely personal historical epic , Red Sorghum won the 1988 Golden Bear award at the Berlin Film Festival . Despite its patriotic overtones , the film was heavily censored ( when not banned altogether ) in certain provinces of Communist China.

A family's differences are reflected in the changing face of China near the turn of the millennium in this drama. In a decaying neighborhood in Beijing a local bathhouse serves as a meeting place for the elderly men of the community; the house is run by Liu (Zhu Xu) assisted by his son Erming (Jiang Wu) who is mildly retarded and tends to live in a world of his own. Liu's other son Daming (Pu Cunxin) who now lives in the Southern Chinese city of Shenzhen arrives for a visit after hearing that Liu had died. Daming is happy to hear that the news of his father's death was greatly exaggerated but as part of a younger generation that has adopted a Western-influenced lifestyle and business sense (including favoring showers over baths) he feels out of place in his father's world and there's a great emotional distance between the two. But when Erming disappears the crisis brings Liu and Daming closer together and Daming decides to extend his visit when he and Liu get word that the bathhouse is scheduled to be torn down in a few weeks. Veteran Chinese actor Feng Shun made his final screen appearance as a man who trains fighting crickets.

A family's differences are reflected in the changing face of China near the turn of the millennium in this drama. In a decaying neighborhood in Beijing , a local bathhouse serves as a meeting place for the elderly men of the community ; the house is run by Liu ( Zhu Xu ), assisted by his son Erming ( Jiang Wu ), who is mildly retarded and tends to live in a world of his own. Liu's other son , Daming ( Pu Cunxin ), who now lives in the Southern Chinese city of Shenzhen , arrives for a visit after hearing that Liu had died. Daming is happy to hear that the news of his father's death was greatly exaggerated , but as part of a younger generation that has adopted a Western - influenced lifestyle and business sense ( including favoring showers over baths ), he feels out of place in his father's world and there's a great emotional distance between the two. But when Erming disappears , the crisis brings Liu and Daming closer together , and Daming decides to extend his visit when he and Liu get word that the bathhouse is scheduled to be torn down in a few weeks. Veteran Chinese actor Feng Shun made his final screen appearance as a man who trains fighting crickets.

Actress Joan Chen makes her directorial debut with this bleak tale adapted from the award-winning novella "Tian Yu" by Shanghai writer Yan Geling about the loss of innocence during Mao Zedong's brutal Cultural Revolution. Precocious Wen Xiu (16-year-old Lu Lu) playfully called Xiu Xiu by her friends finds herself one of millions of Chinese teenagers sent to the hinterlands to receive specialized training during the early 1970s. She is taken from her loving family in Chengdu to the Tibetan steppes where she is apprenticed to Lao Jin (Lopsang) a solitary master horseman whose legendary status stems partly from his prowess on the range and partly from an embarrassing secret resulting from a battle injury. Though life is hard on the high grasslands the sheer physical beauty of the landscape coupled with Xiu Xiu's youthful vibrancy reinvigorate the quiet horseman. He soon falls for the young girl although thanks to his wound he will never be able to consummate his love. Meanwhile Xiu Xiu longs to return to her family in Sichuan. Her growing desperation coupled with her own naivete leave her vulnerable to the opportunistic scheming of a traveling peddler who takes her virginity while promising her quick passage back home. Soon lecherous bureaucrats and others venture out to Xiu Xiu's remote yurt with the promise of free sex. The young girl willingly prostitutes herself believing that it is the only way to see her beloved family again while Lao Jin suffers silently watching his love defile herself. Only after a medical emergency does Xiu Xiu realize how callously she has been used and cast aside. Joan Chen's dark work fits in a subgenre of Chinese art and cinema that explores the horrors of the Cultural Revolution whose most famous examples include Tian Zhuangzhuang's Blue Kite (1993) and Zhang Yimou's To Live (1993). Though this film was screened in the 1998 Berlin Film Festival it was banned in China for sexual and political content.

Actress Joan Chen makes her directorial debut with this bleak tale , adapted from the award - winning novella "Tian Yu" by Shanghai writer Yan Geling , about the loss of innocence during Mao Zedong's brutal Cultural Revolution. Precocious Wen Xiu ( 16 - year - old Lu Lu ), playfully called Xiu Xiu by her friends , finds herself one of millions of Chinese teenagers sent to the hinterlands to receive specialized training during the early 1970s. She is taken from her loving family in Chengdu to the Tibetan steppes , where she is apprenticed to Lao Jin ( Lopsang ), a solitary master horseman whose legendary status stems partly from his prowess on the range and partly from an embarrassing secret resulting from a battle injury. Though life is hard on the high grasslands , the sheer physical beauty of the landscape , coupled with Xiu Xiu's youthful vibrancy , reinvigorate the quiet horseman. He soon falls for the young girl , although , thanks to his wound , he will never be able to consummate his love. Meanwhile , Xiu Xiu longs to return to her family in Sichuan. Her growing desperation , coupled with her own naivete , leave her vulnerable to the opportunistic scheming of a traveling peddler , who takes her virginity while promising her quick passage back home. Soon lecherous bureaucrats and others venture out to Xiu Xiu's remote yurt with the promise of free sex. The young girl willingly prostitutes herself , believing that it is the only way to see her beloved family again , while Lao Jin suffers silently , watching his love defile herself. Only after a medical emergency does Xiu Xiu realize how callously she has been used and cast aside. Joan Chen's dark work fits in a subgenre of Chinese art and cinema that explores the horrors of the Cultural Revolution , whose most famous examples include Tian Zhuangzhuang 's Blue Kite ( 1993 ) and Zhang Yimou 's To Live ( 1993 ) . Though this film was screened in the 1998 Berlin Film Festival , it was banned in China for sexual and political content.

So Close to Paradise was filmed by director Wang Xiaoshuai in 1994 but was not publicly shown until 1998; the film reportedly went through re-editing and re-shooting after running into interference from government authorities before finally being approved for release. The film concerns two friends living in Wuhan a major point of commerce along the Yangtze River. Dongzi (Shi Yu) works as a "pole carrier" an errand boy who lugs heavy loads from one place to another; he's convinced one gets ahead in life through hard work and determination. Gao Ping (Guo Tao) on the other hand avoids physical labor and is trying to scam his way through life. One night the two visit a shabby nightclub where they meet a sultry singer named Ruan Hong (Wang Tong). Gao recognizes Ruan as the girlfriend of a gangster who owes him money; he approaches her to try to find the mobster's whereabouts but an attraction develops and soon Gao and Ruan are lovers. However Dongzi also feels drawn to her and a bitter triangle begins to form while Gao finds himself more at odds with Ruan's former lover. So Close to Paradise received its first screening outside China at the 1998 Mainland-Hong Kong-Taiwan Film Festival where it went by the title Vietnam Girl.

So Close to Paradise was filmed by director Wang Xiaoshuai in 1994 , but was not publicly shown until 1998 ; the film reportedly went through re - editing and re - shooting after running into interference from government authorities before finally being approved for release. The film concerns two friends living in Wuhan , a major point of commerce along the Yangtze River. Dongzi ( Shi Yu ) works as a "pole carrier , " an errand boy who lugs heavy loads from one place to another ; he's convinced one gets ahead in life through hard work and determination. Gao Ping ( Guo Tao ), on the other hand , avoids physical labor and is trying to scam his way through life. One night , the two visit a shabby nightclub where they meet a sultry singer named Ruan Hong ( Wang Tong ) . Gao recognizes Ruan as the girlfriend of a gangster who owes him money ; he approaches her to try to find the mobster's whereabouts , but an attraction develops and soon Gao and Ruan are lovers. However , Dongzi also feels drawn to her , and a bitter triangle begins to form while Gao finds himself more at odds with Ruan's former lover. So Close to Paradise received its first screening outside China at the 1998 Mainland - Hong Kong - Taiwan Film Festival where it went by the title Vietnam Girl .

Two Chinese expatiates living in California find their paths keep crossing for good or ill in the comedy Bu Jian Bu San/Be There Or Be Square. Li Quig (Xu Fan) is staying is Los Angeles and housesitting for a friend when a group of aspiring filmmakers including Liu Yuan (Ge You) accidentally destroy the place. Liu lets her stay at his place glamourously located in a trailer park but they don't get along very well and he's hardly upset when she leaves supposedly to return to Beijing. However she never gets out of L.A. and over the next two years Li and Liu find they can't seem to avoid each other. In time enmity grows into a grudging friendship but will a romance ever bloom for this mis-matched pair? Bu Jian Bu San/Be There Or Be Square reunites the stars (Xu Fan and Ge You) and director (Feng Xiaogang) of the 1997 Chinese hit Party A Party B.

Two Chinese expatiates living in California find their paths keep crossing , for good or ill , in the comedy Bu Jian Bu San / Be There Or Be Square . Li Quig ( Xu Fan ) is staying is Los Angeles and housesitting for a friend when a group of aspiring filmmakers , including Liu Yuan ( Ge You ), accidentally destroy the place. Liu lets her stay at his place , glamourously located in a trailer park , but they don't get along very well and he's hardly upset when she leaves , supposedly to return to Beijing. However , she never gets out of L.A. , and over the next two years Li and Liu find they can't seem to avoid each other. In time enmity grows into a grudging friendship , but will a romance ever bloom for this mis - matched pair? Bu Jian Bu San / Be There Or Be Square reunites the stars ( Xu Fan and Ge You ) and director ( Feng Xiaogang ) of the 1997 Chinese hit Party A , Party B .

In a rural area of China a woman makes the best sesame oil in the neighborhood. A Japanese businesswoman wants to buy her oil and proposes to modernize the oil mill. The woman agrees to cooperate. Her son is in love with a local girl but the girl's parents don't let her marry him because of the boy's epilepsy. However using the poor financial state of the girl's family the woman arranges this uneasy marriage. The film is slow-paced and many story lines remain unresolved but some viewers might be attracted by the fact that it received the Grand Prize at the 1993 Berlin Film Festival.

In a rural area of China , a woman makes the best sesame oil in the neighborhood. A Japanese businesswoman wants to buy her oil and proposes to modernize the oil mill. The woman agrees to cooperate. Her son is in love with a local girl , but the girl's parents don't let her marry him because of the boy's epilepsy. However , using the poor financial state of the girl's family , the woman arranges this uneasy marriage. The film is slow - paced and many story lines remain unresolved , but some viewers might be attracted by the fact that it received the Grand Prize at the 1993 Berlin Film Festival.

The film's title is Chinese slang for the bathrooms located on the edge of Tiannamen Square favorite haunts of Beijing gays. Billed as the first mainland Chinese drama to deal openly with the subject of homosexuality the film angered censors and this resulted in mainland authorities confiscating director Zhang Yuan's passport shortly after his return from Hong Kong on April 10 1997 therefore preventing him from attending that year's Cannes Film Festival along with the film. Primarily a psychological drama it centers on a verbal cat-and-mouse game played between a gay writer and the straight policeman who arrests and interrogates him. The two meet in the square park a place where many gays gather to pick up lovers and make out. Though homosexuality is not illegal those who openly practice it are subject to often brutal police harassment. It is during one of the cops' frequent raids on the park that writer A-Lan kisses officer Shi. Later he sends the cop a gift; shortly thereafter the cop happens to arrest Shi. During the interrogation shameless A-Lan tells his life story episodes of which appear via flashback. Many of his tales seem designed to provoke Shi into challenging his own sexuality.

The film's title is Chinese slang for the bathrooms located on the edge of Tiannamen Square , favorite haunts of Beijing gays. Billed as the first mainland Chinese drama to deal openly with the subject of homosexuality , the film angered censors and this resulted in mainland authorities confiscating director Zhang Yuan 's passport shortly after his return from Hong Kong on April 10 , 1997 therefore preventing him from attending that year's Cannes Film Festival along with the film. Primarily a psychological drama , it centers on a verbal cat - and - mouse game played between a gay writer and the straight policeman who arrests and interrogates him. The two meet in the square park , a place where many gays gather to pick up lovers and make out. Though homosexuality is not illegal , those who openly practice it are subject to often brutal police harassment. It is during one of the cops' frequent raids on the park that writer A - Lan kisses officer Shi. Later he sends the cop a gift ; shortly thereafter , the cop happens to arrest Shi. During the interrogation , shameless A - Lan tells his life story , episodes of which appear via flashback. Many of his tales seem designed to provoke Shi into challenging his own sexuality.

This tender Chinese tale of an aged street performer who begins teaching a young child is filled with warm humanity but not imbued with undue sentiment. It is set about seventy years in the past and centers on elderly Wang Bian Lian who travels the street performing with his pet monkey. Just looking at him it would be hard to tell that he is a master of the rapid changing face masks technique that characterizes Sichuan opera. He came to the streets thirty years before after his wife abandoned him and now he seeks to pass on his technique to a young boy. Liang a well-known actor specializing in female roles wants to learn the skill but Wang politely refuses to teach him. Wang finally gets his candidate when he buys "Doggie" a young child from a starving family. Doggie's presence adds renewed zest to Wang's life. One day the child falls ill and Wang sells one of his few priceless heirlooms to save him. This leads him to learn that Doggie is not a 'he' at all. Wang still cares but he is heartbroken for only a boy can learn the face-changing skill. Doggie begs him to let her stay and to teach her to be an acrobat. He agrees to this and continues looking for a boy. One day Doggie accidentally burns up Wang's boat. Horrified she flees into the city only to secretly return later with a baby that she had rescued from kidnappers. Wang not knowing who bestowed the gift of the child is delighted. Unfortuantely the child's wealthy parents learn that he has it. Wang is arrested and sentenced to death. Fortunately Doggie is determined to save him.

This tender Chinese tale of an aged street performer who begins teaching a young child is filled with warm humanity but not imbued with undue sentiment. It is set about seventy years in the past and centers on elderly Wang Bian Lian , who travels the street performing with his pet monkey. Just looking at him it would be hard to tell that he is a master of the rapid changing face masks technique that characterizes Sichuan opera. He came to the streets thirty years before , after his wife abandoned him , and now he seeks to pass on his technique to a young boy. Liang , a well - known actor specializing in female roles wants to learn the skill , but Wang politely refuses to teach him. Wang finally gets his candidate when he buys "Doggie , " a young child from a starving family. Doggie's presence adds renewed zest to Wang's life. One day the child falls ill and Wang sells one of his few priceless heirlooms to save him. This leads him to learn that Doggie is not a 'he' at all. Wang still cares , but he is heartbroken for only a boy can learn the face - changing skill. Doggie begs him to let her stay and to teach her to be an acrobat. He agrees to this and continues looking for a boy. One day , Doggie accidentally burns up Wang's boat. Horrified , she flees into the city only to secretly return later with a baby that she had rescued from kidnappers. Wang , not knowing who bestowed the gift of the child , is delighted. Unfortuantely the child's wealthy parents learn that he has it. Wang is arrested and sentenced to death. Fortunately , Doggie is determined to save him.

Country boy Shuisheng (Wang Xiaoxiao) is brought to 1930s Shanghai by his uncle who wants the boy to become a member of the powerful gang ruled by manipulative Tang (Li Baotian). In fact Shuisheng will serve Tang's capricious mistress Bijou (Gong Li) a nightclub singer whom the boss proclaimed "the Queen of Shanghai." When the boy's uncle and the gang's several other members die during a rival gang's unsuccessful attempt on Tang's life the latter retreats to a remote small island taking both Bijou and Shuisheng with him and thinking of revenge. The film's English-language title is a little bit deceiving (the original Chinese title translates to "Row Row Row to Grandmother's Bridge" a line in Tang's favorite song performed by Bijou) as this drama centers more on the boy's coming of age and Bijou's disillusionment than on Shanghai gang wars.

Country boy Shuisheng ( Wang Xiaoxiao ) is brought to 1930s Shanghai by his uncle who wants the boy to become a member of the powerful gang ruled by manipulative Tang ( Li Baotian ) . In fact , Shuisheng will serve Tang's capricious mistress Bijou ( Gong Li ), a nightclub singer whom the boss proclaimed "the Queen of Shanghai." When the boy's uncle and the gang's several other members die during a rival gang's unsuccessful attempt on Tang's life , the latter retreats to a remote small island , taking both Bijou and Shuisheng with him and thinking of revenge. The film's English - language title is a little bit deceiving ( the original Chinese title translates to "Row , Row , Row to Grandmother's Bridge , " a line in Tang's favorite song performed by Bijou ), as this drama centers more on the boy's coming of age and Bijou's disillusionment than on Shanghai gang wars.

For this 1991 action comedy from Hong Kong director John Woo took a break from his ultraviolent thrillers; it was made a year after Bullet in the Head and a year before Hard-Boiled. Chow Yun-Fat Leslie Cheung and Cherie Chung portray a trio of orphans who have grown to become art thieves. When their foster father (Kenneth Tsang) a powerful crime boss forces them into stealing a painting they pull off the job but are double-crossed. To get even the trio plans a heist to steal the painting back. The three lead characters are funny and romantic; they're daring art thieves in the tradition of "The Cat" from To Catch a Thief or The Pink Panther and the film evokes the same cosmopolitan feel. Once a Thief is far less bloody than Woo's gangster pictures but in this film the burglary sequences possess all the astounding grace of his other films' gunfights.

For this 1991 action comedy from Hong Kong , director John Woo took a break from his ultraviolent thrillers ; it was made a year after Bullet in the Head , and a year before Hard - Boiled . Chow Yun - Fat , Leslie Cheung , and Cherie Chung portray a trio of orphans who have grown to become art thieves. When their foster father ( Kenneth Tsang ), a powerful crime boss , forces them into stealing a painting , they pull off the job but are double - crossed. To get even , the trio plans a heist to steal the painting back. The three lead characters are funny and romantic ; they're daring art thieves in the tradition of "The Cat" from To Catch a Thief or The Pink Panther , and the film evokes the same cosmopolitan feel. Once a Thief is far less bloody than Woo's gangster pictures , but in this film , the burglary sequences possess all the astounding grace of his other films' gunfights.

Long but rewarding the Danish-Swedish Pelle the Conqueror is based on the early passages of Martin Andersen Nexoe's four-volume novel. Pelle (Pelle Hvengaard) is the son of a 19th-century Swedish farmer (Max Von Sydow). Seeking escape from their poverty-stricken surroundings father and son emigrate to Denmark. Upon arrival however they are treated like indentured servants leading to a profound ideological turnaround for the impressionable Pelle. In the original novel Pelle ended up embracing Communism. Nexo's political overtones are soft-pedalled in the film which concentrates on the close indestructable relationship between Pelle and his father. Adapted for the screen by Bille August Pelle the Conqueror won the 1988 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

Long but rewarding , the Danish - Swedish Pelle the Conqueror is based on the early passages of Martin Andersen Nexoe's four - volume novel. Pelle ( Pelle Hvengaard ) is the son of a 19th - century Swedish farmer ( Max Von Sydow ) . Seeking escape from their poverty - stricken surroundings , father and son emigrate to Denmark. Upon arrival , however , they are treated like indentured servants , leading to a profound ideological turnaround for the impressionable Pelle. In the original novel , Pelle ended up embracing Communism. Nexo's political overtones are soft - pedalled in the film , which concentrates on the close , indestructable relationship between Pelle and his father. Adapted for the screen by Bille August , Pelle the Conqueror won the 1988 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

The Danish/French Babette's Feast is based on a story by Isak Dinesen also the source of the very different Out of Africa (1985). Stephane Audran plays Babette a 19th century Parisian political refugee who seeks shelter in a rough Danish coastal town. Philippa (Bodil Kjer) and Martina (Birgitte Federspiel) the elderly daughters of the town's long-dead minister take Babette in. As revealed in flashback Philippa and Martina were once beautiful young women (played by Hanne Stensgaard and Vibeke Hastrup) who'd forsaken their chances at romance and fame taking hollow refuge in religion. Babette holds a secret that may very well allow the older ladies to have a second chance at life. This is one of the great movies about food but there are way too many surprises in Babette's Feast to allow us to reveal anything else at this point (except that Ingmar Bergman "regulars" Bibi Andersson and Jarl Kulle have significant cameo roles)..

The Danish / French Babette's Feast is based on a story by Isak Dinesen , also the source of the very different Out of Africa ( 1985 ) . Stephane Audran plays Babette , a 19th century Parisian political refugee who seeks shelter in a rough Danish coastal town. Philippa ( Bodil Kjer ) and Martina ( Birgitte Federspiel ), the elderly daughters of the town's long - dead minister , take Babette in. As revealed in flashback , Philippa and Martina were once beautiful young women ( played by Hanne Stensgaard and Vibeke Hastrup ), who'd forsaken their chances at romance and fame , taking hollow refuge in religion. Babette holds a secret that may very well allow the older ladies to have a second chance at life. This is one of the great movies about food , but there are way too many surprises in Babette's Feast to allow us to reveal anything else at this point ( except that Ingmar Bergman "regulars" Bibi Andersson and Jarl Kulle have significant cameo roles ) ..

This Danish comedy drama won the Jury Prize at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. It opens in rural Denmark as family members assemble for the 60th birthday celebration of patriarch Helge (Henning Moritzen). At the family estate are Helge's children: France-based restaurateur Christian (Ulrich Thomsen) whose twin sister killed herself; surviving sister Helene (Paprika Steen); and younger brother Michael (Thomas Bo Larsen) married with three children. At the birthday dinner the bitter Christian stands to deliver a toast -- but instead makes a startling speech accusing Helge of sexual abuse involving both twins. Following principles outlined in 1995 by Danish fimmakers in their Dogme 95 proclamation this film adheres to their manifesto guidelines of handheld cameras direct sound location filming and the elimination of technical tricks.

This Danish comedy drama won the Jury Prize at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival . It opens in rural Denmark as family members assemble for the 60th birthday celebration of patriarch Helge ( Henning Moritzen ) . At the family estate are Helge's children : France - based restaurateur Christian ( Ulrich Thomsen ), whose twin sister killed herself ; surviving sister Helene ( Paprika Steen ); and younger brother Michael ( Thomas Bo Larsen ), married with three children. At the birthday dinner , the bitter Christian stands to deliver a toast -- but instead makes a startling speech accusing Helge of sexual abuse involving both twins. Following principles outlined in 1995 by Danish fimmakers in their Dogme 95 proclamation , this film adheres to their manifesto guidelines of handheld cameras , direct sound , location filming , and the elimination of technical tricks.

This Danish film is set in 1963 at the height of Beatlemania. Played out against the standard pop-culture backdrop is the story of the friendship between Adam Tonsberg and Lars Simonson. His ego in tatters thanks to a domineering father Simonsen yearns for the affections of snooty Ulrikke Juul Bondo though it is "common knowledge" that she's Tonsberg's girl. Tonsberg however prefers the company of the down-to-earth Camilla Soeberg. When Soeberg becomes pregnant Tonsberg is forced to borrow the abortion money from former girlfriend Bondo who wants him to spend a weekend with her in exchange. This is all going according to Bondo's plan and soon she and Tonsberg are making wedding plans. Suddenly gaining a moral backbone Tonsberg calls off the wedding then helps his friend Simonsen who is endeavoring to prove that his mother is not the lunatic described by his tyrannical father. The "coming of age" process in this film is even more complex than these notes would suggest but young Danish filmgoers had no trouble relating to Twist and Shout (originally Tro Hab Og Karlighed) which allegedly made more money than any previous Danish film.

This Danish film is set in 1963 , at the height of Beatlemania . Played out against the standard pop - culture backdrop is the story of the friendship between Adam Tonsberg and Lars Simonson . His ego in tatters thanks to a domineering father , Simonsen yearns for the affections of snooty Ulrikke Juul Bondo , though it is "common knowledge" that she's Tonsberg 's girl. Tonsberg , however , prefers the company of the down - to - earth Camilla Soeberg . When Soeberg becomes pregnant , Tonsberg is forced to borrow the abortion money from former girlfriend Bondo , who wants him to spend a weekend with her in exchange. This is all going according to Bondo 's plan , and soon she and Tonsberg are making wedding plans. Suddenly gaining a moral backbone , Tonsberg calls off the wedding , then helps his friend Simonsen , who is endeavoring to prove that his mother is not the lunatic described by his tyrannical father. The "coming of age" process in this film is even more complex than these notes would suggest , but young Danish filmgoers had no trouble relating to Twist and Shout ( originally Tro , Hab Og Karlighed ), which allegedly made more money than any previous Danish film.

Europa (retitled Zentropa for the American release) is an hallucinatory Danish film set in postwar Germany. Jean-Marc Barr plays a young German who aspires for a job as a street conductor. But this is no mere "Joe Job;" Barr's adventures on the line are designed as a metaphor for the emergence of the "New Europe" following the war. Barbara Sukowa costars as the daughter of a railroad magnate--and possible Nazi sympathizer. Many of the special-effects sequences are computer enhanced but even the "live" scenes have an unsettling surreal quality to them (colors changing abruptly backgrounds shifting without warning etc.) This experimental film left some viewers confused which may be why English-language prints of Zentropa are narrated by Max Von Sydow.

Europa ( retitled Zentropa for the American release ) is an hallucinatory Danish film set in postwar Germany. Jean - Marc Barr plays a young German who aspires for a job as a street conductor. But this is no mere "Joe Job ; " Barr 's adventures on the line are designed as a metaphor for the emergence of the "New Europe" following the war. Barbara Sukowa costars as the daughter of a railroad magnate -- and possible Nazi sympathizer. Many of the special - effects sequences are computer enhanced , but even the "live" scenes have an unsettling , surreal quality to them ( colors changing abruptly , backgrounds shifting without warning , etc. ) This experimental film left some viewers confused , which may be why English - language prints of Zentropa are narrated by Max Von Sydow .

Sokkotanssi is a coming-of-age film about a child's faith. In the early 1960's in a small town by the sea lives a nine-year-old boy named Jontti whose head is full of questions: How much does a man's soul weigh? Is there life on other planets? He eats glow-worms because he wants to glow. His life changes completely when Lanki moves to the neighborhood and Jontti finds out that his father has another woman. Hiding his secret he launches a tragicomic struggle to win back his father. Meanwhile he experiences his own first love and comes to the understanding that every new answer often brings a dozen more questions.

Sokkotanssi is a coming - of - age film about a child's faith. In the early 1960's in a small town by the sea lives a nine - year - old boy named Jontti whose head is full of questions : How much does a man's soul weigh? Is there life on other planets? He eats glow - worms because he wants to glow. His life changes completely when Lanki moves to the neighborhood and Jontti finds out that his father has another woman. Hiding his secret , he launches a tragicomic struggle to win back his father. Meanwhile , he experiences his own first love and comes to the understanding that every new answer often brings a dozen more questions.

Hajyt is a film about friends who have a hard time finding their place in society. The story is set in the 1990's but it is based on the most famous Finnish criminal legend of the 1800's about two criminals who held their hometown in terror. The Finnish word for these kinds of criminals is "hajyt" which means "evil." The "hajyt" borrowed farm-owners' horses without permission drank heavily rioted at weddings and often killed people. Alexi Makela's film presents the legend with black humor but the characters are realistically portrayed. Antti and Jussi have just been released from jail. While the two were doing time for robbing a bank their childhood friend Heikki once a smalltime criminal like Antti and Jussi has become a lawyer. He decides to help his old friends who have to start from scratch but honest work does not bring enough money to cover their debts. The boys start a black market liquor business that proves to be successful. A new police chief is sent to investigate the problem and even the locals turn against Antti and Jussi who get increasingly impudent in their business. Jail seems inevitable. The film tries to expose the social mechanisms that create these overage juvenile delinquents. It is violent although violence is used to serve the story and characters. Samuli Edelman the star of the film is a celebrity singer who had to put on considerable weight to fit the role. The film was released in Finland on January 15 1999 and was a huge success at the box office breaking all box office records for the decade.

Hajyt is a film about friends who have a hard time finding their place in society. The story is set in the 1990's but it is based on the most famous Finnish criminal legend of the 1800's about two criminals who held their hometown in terror. The Finnish word for these kinds of criminals is "hajyt , " which means "evil." The "hajyt" borrowed farm - owners' horses without permission , drank heavily , rioted at weddings , and often killed people. Alexi Makela 's film presents the legend with black humor , but the characters are realistically portrayed. Antti and Jussi have just been released from jail. While the two were doing time for robbing a bank , their childhood friend Heikki , once a smalltime criminal like Antti and Jussi , has become a lawyer. He decides to help his old friends , who have to start from scratch , but honest work does not bring enough money to cover their debts. The boys start a black market liquor business that proves to be successful. A new police chief is sent to investigate the problem , and even the locals turn against Antti and Jussi , who get increasingly impudent in their business. Jail seems inevitable. The film tries to expose the social mechanisms that create these overage juvenile delinquents. It is violent , although violence is used to serve the story and characters. Samuli Edelman , the star of the film , is a celebrity singer who had to put on considerable weight to fit the role. The film was released in Finland on January 15 , 1999 and was a huge success at the box office , breaking all box office records for the decade.

The odd comedies of Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki may be an acquired taste but it is one which more and more people are getting. The story concerns the exploits of an extremely inept but dedicated troupe of accordian musicians "The Leningrad Cowboys" whose sheer awfulness puts SCTV's Schmenge brothers in the shade. In fact in order to stop having to listen to them a local record producer advises them to go to America and paints a glowing picture of the success they will enjoy there. These eight Finnish lads (seven living one very frozen corpse) are dressed as they think true hipster musicians should be (ducktails sunglasses fur coats pointy-toed shoes) and they head off for New York. There they encounter yet another wise guy who sends them off to Mexico by car to play at his cousin's wedding (he apparently hates his cousin). Along the way they get bookings wherever they can learn American music styles and get along fabulously (by their reckoning).

The odd comedies of Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki may be an acquired taste , but it is one which more and more people are getting. The story concerns the exploits of an extremely inept but dedicated troupe of accordian musicians , "The Leningrad Cowboys , " whose sheer awfulness puts SCTV 's Schmenge brothers in the shade. In fact , in order to stop having to listen to them , a local record producer advises them to go to America , and paints a glowing picture of the success they will enjoy there. These eight Finnish lads ( seven living , one very frozen corpse ) are dressed as they think true hipster musicians should be ( ducktails , sunglasses , fur coats , pointy - toed shoes ), and they head off for New York. There they encounter yet another wise guy , who sends them off to Mexico by car to play at his cousin's wedding ( he apparently hates his cousin ) . Along the way , they get bookings wherever they can , learn American music styles , and get along fabulously ( by their reckoning ) .

Joseph Losey's 1979 film adaptation of the Mozart opera Don Giovanni adheres faithfully to the original Lorenzo Da Ponte libretto with rakish Don Giovanni (Ruggero Raimondi) putting the make on the aristocratic Dona Anna (Edda Moser). Giovanni's enemies warn him that he'll suffer mightily for his amorous escapades. And when the gates of hell open up on cue in the last act and Don Giovanni is dragged screaming into perdition it turns out those enemies were right.

Joseph Losey 's 1979 film adaptation of the Mozart opera Don Giovanni adheres faithfully to the original Lorenzo Da Ponte libretto , with rakish Don Giovanni ( Ruggero Raimondi ) putting the make on the aristocratic Dona Anna ( Edda Moser ) . Giovanni's enemies warn him that he'll suffer mightily for his amorous escapades. And when the gates of hell open up on cue in the last act , and Don Giovanni is dragged screaming into perdition , it turns out those enemies were right.

Edmond Rostand's classic drama of inner and outer beauty is given a lavish treatment in this acclaimed French production. Gérard Depardieu portrays the title character a brilliant charismatic swordsman with a generous spirit and a genius for poetry. It would seem that such a man would have no trouble attracting women but Cyrano considers himself doomed to loneliness by an unattractive face featuring an oversized nose. His feelings of inadequacy are emphasized when Roxane the beautiful woman he adores attracts the attention of Christian a young cadet in Cyrano's service. Christian lacks the poetic gift however and he ironically turns to Cyrano for help in winning Roxane's love. What follows is a tale of deception with Roxane falling in love with the ineloquent Christian thanks to Cyrano's words of love. The underlying narrative has become quite familiar to modern audiences through retellings and variations from the 1950 adaptation starring José Ferrer to Steve Martin's Roxanne. Director Jean-Paul Rappeneau's interpretation stresses the tragic majesty of the original setting a vigorous performance by Depardieu against a beautifully designed reproduction of the period and an emphasis on the sound and poetry of Rostand's original language; the subtitles for the film's English release were penned by renowned British author Anthony Burgess. This attention to detail creates a particularly faithful cinematic rendering of the original work that met with positive critical responses.

Edmond Rostand 's classic drama of inner and outer beauty is given a lavish treatment in this acclaimed French production. Gérard Depardieu portrays the title character , a brilliant , charismatic swordsman with a generous spirit and a genius for poetry. It would seem that such a man would have no trouble attracting women , but Cyrano considers himself doomed to loneliness by an unattractive face featuring an oversized nose. His feelings of inadequacy are emphasized when Roxane , the beautiful woman he adores , attracts the attention of Christian , a young cadet in Cyrano's service. Christian lacks the poetic gift , however , and he ironically turns to Cyrano for help in winning Roxane's love. What follows is a tale of deception , with Roxane falling in love with the ineloquent Christian thanks to Cyrano's words of love. The underlying narrative has become quite familiar to modern audiences through retellings and variations from the 1950 adaptation starring José Ferrer to Steve Martin 's Roxanne . Director Jean - Paul Rappeneau 's interpretation stresses the tragic majesty of the original , setting a vigorous performance by Depardieu against a beautifully designed reproduction of the period and an emphasis on the sound and poetry of Rostand 's original language ; the subtitles for the film's English release were penned by renowned British author Anthony Burgess . This attention to detail creates a particularly faithful cinematic rendering of the original work that met with positive critical responses.

Utilizing special macroscopic photographic techniques filmmakers Claude Nuridsany and Marie Perennou created this fascinating and visually spectacular look at the hidden worlds in the life cycle of an ordinary meadow in France. When seen through the lens of Nuridsany and Perennou's cameras insects become gigantic beasts blades of grass turn into towering monuments and raindrops form puddles that resemble vast oceans. The filmmakers find humor drama and beauty in the lives of these tiny flora and fauna as caterpillars transform themselves into butterflies beetles struggle with their day's foraging and snails reproduce their species. Microcosmos was a multiple prize winner at the 1996 French Academy of Cinema Awards; the American release version features narration by actress Kristin Scott Thomas.

Utilizing special macroscopic photographic techniques , filmmakers Claude Nuridsany and Marie Perennou created this fascinating and visually spectacular look at the hidden worlds in the life cycle of an ordinary meadow in France. When seen through the lens of Nuridsany and Perennou's cameras , insects become gigantic beasts , blades of grass turn into towering monuments , and raindrops form puddles that resemble vast oceans. The filmmakers find humor , drama , and beauty in the lives of these tiny flora and fauna as caterpillars transform themselves into butterflies , beetles struggle with their day's foraging , and snails reproduce their species. Microcosmos was a multiple prize winner at the 1996 French Academy of Cinema Awards ; the American release version features narration by actress Kristin Scott Thomas .

A four-year-old girl must come to terms with the loss of her mother and the reality of death in this award-winning French drama. Little Ponette (Victoire Thivisol) is riding in a car with her mother when they're involved in a serious accident; Ponette survives but her mother does not. Her father (Xavier Beauvois) initially reacts with anger over his late wife's careless driving while her Aunt Claire (Claire Nebout) tries to comfort the child by telling her about Jesus and the resurrection. However none of this does much to reassure Ponette or clarify her confusion about the practical realities and spiritual dilemma posed by death. In time Ponette and her cousins Matiaz (Matiaz Caton) and Delphine (Delphine Schiltz) are sent off to boarding school where they have to resolve their confusion and loss on their own. Writer and director Jacques Doillon carefully coached Victoire Thivisol (who was too young to read the screenplay) through her performance; the results earned the child Best Actress honors at the 1996 Venice Film Festival.

A four - year - old girl must come to terms with the loss of her mother and the reality of death in this award - winning French drama. Little Ponette ( Victoire Thivisol ) is riding in a car with her mother when they're involved in a serious accident ; Ponette survives , but her mother does not. Her father ( Xavier Beauvois ) initially reacts with anger over his late wife's careless driving , while her Aunt Claire ( Claire Nebout ) tries to comfort the child by telling her about Jesus and the resurrection. However , none of this does much to reassure Ponette or clarify her confusion about the practical realities and spiritual dilemma posed by death. In time , Ponette and her cousins Matiaz ( Matiaz Caton ) and Delphine ( Delphine Schiltz ) are sent off to boarding school , where they have to resolve their confusion and loss on their own. Writer and director Jacques Doillon carefully coached Victoire Thivisol ( who was too young to read the screenplay ) through her performance ; the results earned the child Best Actress honors at the 1996 Venice Film Festival.

As visually stylish as it is graphically violent this thriller directed by Luc Besson concerns Mathilda (Natalie Portman) a 12-year-old girl living in New York City who has been exposed to the sordid side of life from an early age: her family lives in a slum and her abusive father works for drug dealers cutting and storing dope. Mathilda doesn't much care for her parents but she has a close bond with her four-year-old brother. One day she returns from running an errand to discover that most of her family including her brother have been killed in a raid by corrupt DEA agents led by the psychotic Stansfield (Gary Oldman). Mathilda takes refuge in the apartment of her secretive neighbor Leon (Jean Reno) who takes her in with a certain reluctance. She discovers that Leon is a professional assassin working for Tony (Danny Aiello) a mob kingpin based in Little Italy. Wanting to avenge the death of her brother Mathilda makes a deal with Leon to become his protégée in exchange for work as a domestic servant hoping to learn the hitman's trade and take out the men who took her brother's life. However an affection develops between Leon and Mathilda that changes his outlook on his life and career. Besson's first American film boasted a strong performance from Jean Reno a striking debut by Natalie Portman and a love-it-or-hate-it over-the-top turn by Gary Oldman. Léon was originally released in the U.S. in 1994 as The Professional with 26 minutes cut in response to audience preview tests. Those 26 minutes were restored in the director's preferred cut released in 1996 in France as Léon: Version Intégrale and in the U.S. on DVD as Léon: The Professional in 2000.

As visually stylish as it is graphically violent , this thriller directed by Luc Besson concerns Mathilda ( Natalie Portman ), a 12 - year - old girl living in New York City who has been exposed to the sordid side of life from an early age : her family lives in a slum and her abusive father works for drug dealers , cutting and storing dope. Mathilda doesn't much care for her parents , but she has a close bond with her four - year - old brother. One day , she returns from running an errand to discover that most of her family , including her brother , have been killed in a raid by corrupt DEA agents , led by the psychotic Stansfield ( Gary Oldman ) . Mathilda takes refuge in the apartment of her secretive neighbor , Leon ( Jean Reno ), who takes her in with a certain reluctance. She discovers that Leon is a professional assassin , working for Tony ( Danny Aiello ), a mob kingpin based in Little Italy. Wanting to avenge the death of her brother , Mathilda makes a deal with Leon to become his protégée in exchange for work as a domestic servant , hoping to learn the hitman's trade and take out the men who took her brother's life. However , an affection develops between Leon and Mathilda that changes his outlook on his life and career. Besson 's first American film boasted a strong performance from Jean Reno , a striking debut by Natalie Portman , and a love - it - or - hate - it , over - the - top turn by Gary Oldman . Léon was originally released in the U.S. in 1994 as The Professional , with 26 minutes cut in response to audience preview tests. Those 26 minutes were restored in the director's preferred cut , released in 1996 in France as Léon : Version Intégrale and in the U.S. on DVD as Léon : The Professional in 2000.

The first chapter in Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski's "Three Colors" trilogy Blue stars Juliette Binoche as Julie the lone survivor of an automobile crash that killed her husband a famed composer and their only child. Despondent Julie attempts suicide but she cannot bring herself to take her own life. Instead she sets about starting over purging all remnants of her former existence in an attempt to sever her ties to the past. A piece in the trio of films loosely inspired by the colors of the French flag and their corresponding symbolic qualities the basic focus of Blue is liberty.

The first chapter in Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski 's "Three Colors" trilogy , Blue stars Juliette Binoche as Julie , the lone survivor of an automobile crash that killed her husband , a famed composer , and their only child. Despondent , Julie attempts suicide , but she cannot bring herself to take her own life. Instead , she sets about starting over , purging all remnants of her former existence in an attempt to sever her ties to the past. A piece in the trio of films loosely inspired by the colors of the French flag and their corresponding symbolic qualities , the basic focus of Blue is liberty.

A French music lover befriends a once-great American jazz artist and attempts to save him from self-destruction in this moody drama. Saxophonist Dexter Gordon portrays Dale Turner a fictional musician inspired by a number of famed jazz figures including Bud Powell and Lester Young. Largely forgotten in his home country Turner has moved to Paris in search of a more appreciative audience. He finds it in the form of Francis Borler (Francois Cluzet) a bebop aficionado who befriends the expatriate player. Borler soon becomes familiar with Turner's darker side including his struggles with alcoholism drug addiction and depression. Fearing for the musician's life the fan becomes his caretaker an arrangement that leads to a brief improvement in Turner's health and fortunes but places great emotional strain upon them both. Director Bertrand Tavernier pays great attention to the visual and aural details of the jazz world with outstanding musical supervision provided by Herbie Hancock. 'Round Midnight's greatest asset however is Gordon's Academy Award-nominated performance informed by his own life experiences. His naturally fascinating presence combines with the film's obvious love of the music and its milieu to provide what many have hailed as one of the more authentic and affectionate presentations of the jazz world on the silver screen.

A French music lover befriends a once - great American jazz artist and attempts to save him from self - destruction in this moody drama. Saxophonist Dexter Gordon portrays Dale Turner , a fictional musician inspired by a number of famed jazz figures , including Bud Powell and Lester Young . Largely forgotten in his home country , Turner has moved to Paris in search of a more appreciative audience. He finds it in the form of Francis Borler ( Francois Cluzet ), a bebop aficionado who befriends the expatriate player. Borler soon becomes familiar with Turner's darker side , including his struggles with alcoholism , drug addiction , and depression. Fearing for the musician's life , the fan becomes his caretaker , an arrangement that leads to a brief improvement in Turner's health and fortunes but places great emotional strain upon them both. Director Bertrand Tavernier pays great attention to the visual and aural details of the jazz world , with outstanding musical supervision provided by Herbie Hancock . 'Round Midnight 's greatest asset , however , is Gordon's Academy Award - nominated performance , informed by his own life experiences. His naturally fascinating presence combines with the film's obvious love of the music and its milieu to provide what many have hailed as one of the more authentic and affectionate presentations of the jazz world on the silver screen.

Known to English-speaking audiences as Day for Night La nuit américaine was director François Truffaut's loving and humorous tribute to the communal insanity of making a movie. The film details the making of a family drama called "Meet Pamela" about the tragedy that follows when a young French man introduces his parents to his new British wife. Truffaut gently satirizes his own films with "Meet Pamela"'s overwrought storyline but the real focus is on the chaos behind the scenes. One of the central actresses is continually drunk due to family problems while the other is prone to emotional instability and the male lead (Truffaut regular Jean-Pierre Leaud) starts to act erratically when his intermittent romance with the fickle script girl begins to fail. In addition to all this personal drama the film is besieged by technical problems from difficult tracking shots to stubborn animal actors. The inspiration for future satires of movie-making from Living in Oblivion to Irma Vep La nuit américaine was considered slight by some critics in comparison to earlier Truffaut masterworks but it went on to win the 1973 Oscar for Best Foreign Film.

Known to English - speaking audiences as Day for Night , La nuit américaine was director François Truffaut 's loving and humorous tribute to the communal insanity of making a movie. The film details the making of a family drama called "Meet Pamela" about the tragedy that follows when a young French man introduces his parents to his new British wife. Truffaut gently satirizes his own films with "Meet Pamela"'s overwrought storyline , but the real focus is on the chaos behind the scenes. One of the central actresses is continually drunk due to family problems , while the other is prone to emotional instability , and the male lead ( Truffaut regular Jean - Pierre Leaud ) starts to act erratically when his intermittent romance with the fickle script girl begins to fail. In addition to all this personal drama , the film is besieged by technical problems , from difficult tracking shots to stubborn animal actors. The inspiration for future satires of movie - making from Living in Oblivion to Irma Vep , La nuit américaine was considered slight by some critics in comparison to earlier Truffaut masterworks , but it went on to win the 1973 Oscar for Best Foreign Film.

Told with fondness and precision and set in France at the time of the IndoChina War (which later became an American problem known as the Vietnam War) this controversial feature handles teen coming-of-age sexuality and even incest with a gentleness that disappointed the prurient and shocked the conservative. This is one of director Louis Malle's finest films: others include The Fire Within and Au Revoir Les Enfants. Laurent (Benoit Ferreux) is 14 years old and anxious to lose his virginity. However he has a very close family circle and between the family and school he is too closely watched to get anywhere. He makes the most of an opportunity to neck with the girls at his older brothers' party and later almost gets to lose his virginity in a bordello but his boisterously drunken brothers interrupt him. His real opportunity arises while his mother takes him for a rest-cure for his heart murmur at a very conventional spa.

Told with fondness and precision , and set in France at the time of the IndoChina War ( which later became an American problem known as the Vietnam War ), this controversial feature handles teen coming - of - age , sexuality and even incest with a gentleness that disappointed the prurient and shocked the conservative. This is one of director Louis Malle 's finest films : others include The Fire Within and Au Revoir Les Enfants. Laurent ( Benoit Ferreux ) is 14 years old and anxious to lose his virginity. However , he has a very close family circle , and , between the family and school , he is too closely watched to get anywhere. He makes the most of an opportunity to neck with the girls at his older brothers' party and later almost gets to lose his virginity in a bordello , but his boisterously drunken brothers interrupt him. His real opportunity arises while his mother takes him for a rest - cure for his heart murmur at a very conventional spa.

Lonely and shy bachelor Monsieur Hire (Michel Blanc) suspected in the murder of a girl secretly watches his young attractive neighbor Alice (Sandrine Bonnaire) through the window. Once when lightning flashes during a thunderstorm she notices his face in the window and comes to him to find out what he is after. Adapting Georges Simenon's novel Patrice Leconte emphasized the psychological drama rather than the detective story and created a film about loneliness and voyeurism; his cold precision is reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock or Fritz Lang. The low-key acting and moody soundtrack add a lot but it's the director who deserves the most accolades as he manages with only glances and gestures to achieve a degree of eroticism that other films fail to reach even through explicit sex scenes.

Lonely and shy bachelor Monsieur Hire ( Michel Blanc ), suspected in the murder of a girl , secretly watches his young , attractive neighbor Alice ( Sandrine Bonnaire ) through the window. Once , when lightning flashes during a thunderstorm , she notices his face in the window and comes to him to find out what he is after. Adapting Georges Simenon 's novel , Patrice Leconte emphasized the psychological drama rather than the detective story and created a film about loneliness and voyeurism ; his cold precision is reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock or Fritz Lang . The low - key acting and moody soundtrack add a lot , but it's the director who deserves the most accolades , as he manages , with only glances and gestures , to achieve a degree of eroticism that other films fail to reach even through explicit sex scenes.

The Last Metro is set virtually in its entirety in a crumbling French theatre. During the Nazi occupation Jewish director Lucas Steiner (Heinz Bennent) hides in the basement of the theatre while his wife Marion (Catherine Deneuve) stars in its latest production. Marion is enamored of leading man Bernard Granger (Gerard Depardieu) and he with her but they resist temptation out of respect to her husband. When she is given a choice between loyalty to her husband and to her countrymen her dilemma offers two logical solutions--both of which are acted out on stage during the play. This Pirandellian ending aside The Last Metro is one of the few films to accurately capture the feeling of what it was like to live in Paris under the thumb of the Nazis.

The Last Metro is set virtually in its entirety in a crumbling French theatre. During the Nazi occupation , Jewish director Lucas Steiner ( Heinz Bennent ) hides in the basement of the theatre , while his wife Marion ( Catherine Deneuve ) stars in its latest production. Marion is enamored of leading man Bernard Granger ( Gerard Depardieu ), and he with her , but they resist temptation out of respect to her husband. When she is given a choice between loyalty to her husband and to her countrymen , her dilemma offers two logical solutions -- both of which are acted out on stage during the play. This Pirandellian ending aside , The Last Metro is one of the few films to accurately capture the feeling of what it was like to live in Paris under the thumb of the Nazis.

Co-adapted by director Claude Berri from a novel by Marcel Pagnol this hugely successful French historical drama concerns a bizarre battle royale over a valuable natural spring in a remote French farming community. City dweller Jean Cadoret (Gérard Depardieu) assumes ownership of the spring when the original owner is accidentally killed by covetous farmer Cesar Soubeyran (Yves Montand). Soubeyran and his equally disreputable nephew Ugolin (Daniel Auteuil) pull every dirty trick in the book to force Cadoret off his land but the novice farmer stands firm. Although the Soubeyrans appear to gain the upper hand the audience is assured that they will eventually be foiled by the vengeful daughter of the spring's deceased owner -- thus setting the stage for the film's equally successful sequel Manon of the Spring.

Co - adapted by director Claude Berri from a novel by Marcel Pagnol , this hugely successful French historical drama concerns a bizarre battle royale over a valuable natural spring in a remote French farming community. City dweller Jean Cadoret ( Gérard Depardieu ) assumes ownership of the spring when the original owner is accidentally killed by covetous farmer Cesar Soubeyran ( Yves Montand ) . Soubeyran and his equally disreputable nephew Ugolin ( Daniel Auteuil ) pull every dirty trick in the book to force Cadoret off his land , but the novice farmer stands firm. Although the Soubeyrans appear to gain the upper hand , the audience is assured that they will eventually be foiled by the vengeful daughter of the spring's deceased owner -- thus setting the stage for the film's equally successful sequel , Manon of the Spring .

One of the first films to see the horrors of war through the eyes of children Forbidden Games was a critical smash winning prizes from the New York Film Critics the British Academy and the Venice Film Festival. Adapted by Francois Boyer director Rene Clement and two others from Boyer's novel the story focuses on Paulette (Brigitte Fossey) a five-year-old refugee from Paris taken in by a peasant family after her parents are killed during a bombardment of a civilian convoy. Michel Dolle (Georges Pujouly) the family's 11-year-old son becomes her best friend and they create a cemetery in which Paulette's dog is interred along with other animals and insects some of whom the children kill themselves. The Dolle family is too busy feuding with the Gouards their neighbors to notice the absence of the children. Eventually authorities locate Paulette and insist that she be placed in an orphanage for legal adoption. Unsentimental and yet heartbreaking Forbidden Games demonstrates the strategies of children who witness war to deal with the constant presence of death. It's also a bitter condemnation of the selfishness of adults who could offer their charges more love and protection.

One of the first films to see the horrors of war through the eyes of children , Forbidden Games was a critical smash , winning prizes from the New York Film Critics , the British Academy , and the Venice Film Festival . Adapted by Francois Boyer , director Rene Clement , and two others from Boyer 's novel , the story focuses on Paulette ( Brigitte Fossey ), a five - year - old refugee from Paris taken in by a peasant family after her parents are killed during a bombardment of a civilian convoy. Michel Dolle ( Georges Pujouly ), the family's 11 - year - old son , becomes her best friend , and they create a cemetery in which Paulette's dog is interred , along with other animals and insects , some of whom the children kill themselves. The Dolle family is too busy feuding with the Gouards , their neighbors , to notice the absence of the children. Eventually , authorities locate Paulette and insist that she be placed in an orphanage for legal adoption. Unsentimental and yet heartbreaking , Forbidden Games demonstrates the strategies of children who witness war to deal with the constant presence of death. It's also a bitter condemnation of the selfishness of adults who could offer their charges more love and protection.

French filmmaker Diane Kurys directs the period drama Coup de Foudre (distributed in the U.S. as Entre Nous) adapted from a book she co-wrote with Olivier Cohen. The semi-autobiographical story is based on the life of the director's mother. Lena (Isabelle Huppert) is a Jewish refugee from Belgium living in occupied France during WWII. In order to avoid being sent to a German concentration camp she agrees to marry the discharged military officer Michel (Guy Marchand). He tries to provide a decent life for her by running an auto repair business. They have two children together but Lena is unhappy and stifled by her domestic life. Michel doesn't offer her the sensitivity and affection that she requires. Meanwhile in Paris the extroverted artist Madeleine (Miou-Miou) mourns the accidental death of her husband. After the liberation of France she marries actor Costa (Jean-Pierre Bacri) and has children of her own. In 1952 Lena and Madeleine meet by chance in Lyons. The two women develop an emotional relationship that borders on romantic involvement. Their bond is only strengthened by a mutual dissatisfaction with their husbands children and home life in general. Entre Nous was nominated for the Best Foreign Film Oscar in 1983.

French filmmaker Diane Kurys directs the period drama Coup de Foudre ( distributed in the U.S. as Entre Nous ), adapted from a book she co - wrote with Olivier Cohen . The semi - autobiographical story is based on the life of the director's mother. Lena ( Isabelle Huppert ) is a Jewish refugee from Belgium living in occupied France during WWII. In order to avoid being sent to a German concentration camp , she agrees to marry the discharged military officer Michel ( Guy Marchand ) . He tries to provide a decent life for her by running an auto repair business. They have two children together , but Lena is unhappy and stifled by her domestic life. Michel doesn't offer her the sensitivity and affection that she requires. Meanwhile , in Paris , the extroverted artist Madeleine ( Miou - Miou ) mourns the accidental death of her husband. After the liberation of France , she marries actor Costa ( Jean - Pierre Bacri ) and has children of her own. In 1952 , Lena and Madeleine meet by chance in Lyons. The two women develop an emotional relationship that borders on romantic involvement. Their bond is only strengthened by a mutual dissatisfaction with their husbands , children , and home life in general. Entre Nous was nominated for the Best Foreign Film Oscar in 1983.

Contempt is the story of the end of a marriage. Camille (Brigitte Bardot) falls out of love with her husband Paul (Michel Piccoli) while he is rewriting the screenplay Odyssey by American producer Jeremiah Prokosch (Jack Palance). Just as the director of Prokosch's film Fritz Lang says that The Odyssey is the story of individuals confronting their situations in a real world Le Mépris itself is an examination of the position of the filmmaker in the commercial cinema. Godard himself was facing this situation in the production of Le Mépris. Italian producer Carlo Ponti had given him the biggest budget of his career and he found himself working with a star of Bardot's magnitude for the first time.

Contempt is the story of the end of a marriage. Camille ( Brigitte Bardot ) falls out of love with her husband Paul ( Michel Piccoli ) while he is rewriting the screenplay Odyssey by American producer Jeremiah Prokosch ( Jack Palance ) . Just as the director of Prokosch's film , Fritz Lang , says that The Odyssey is the story of individuals confronting their situations in a real world , Le Mépris itself is an examination of the position of the filmmaker in the commercial cinema. Godard himself was facing this situation in the production of Le Mépris . Italian producer Carlo Ponti had given him the biggest budget of his career , and he found himself working with a star of Bardot 's magnitude for the first time.

Sexual frustration is the focus of this Hitchcockian thriller from French director Claude Chabrol. Schoolteacher Hélène (Stéphane Audran) comes to a small Périgord village to begin a new job. She is soon romanced by the local butcher Popaul (Jean Yanne) but is distracted by her job and memories of a previous ill-fated relationship. A series of brutal murders of young women and a dropped cigarette-lighter raise Hélène's suspicions about her suitor whose pitiable depraved compulsions lead to a gruesome conclusion. Audran who was Chabrol's wife at the time makes an engaging heroine and Yanne is simultaneously scary and pathetic as the obsessive butcher.

Sexual frustration is the focus of this Hitchcock ian thriller from French director Claude Chabrol . Schoolteacher Hélène ( Stéphane Audran ) comes to a small Périgord village to begin a new job. She is soon romanced by the local butcher , Popaul ( Jean Yanne ), but is distracted by her job and memories of a previous ill - fated relationship. A series of brutal murders of young women and a dropped cigarette - lighter raise Hélène's suspicions about her suitor , whose pitiable , depraved compulsions lead to a gruesome conclusion. Audran , who was Chabrol 's wife at the time , makes an engaging heroine , and Yanne is simultaneously scary and pathetic as the obsessive butcher.

Agnes Jaoui co-writes and directs this romantic comedy of manners set in France's rustic Provence. Unpolished and ultra-pragmatic industrialist Jean-Jacques Castella (co-scripter Jean-Pierre Bacri) reluctantly attends Racine's tragedy "Berenice" in order to see his niece play a bit part. He is taken with the play's strangely familiar-looking leading lady Clara Devaux (Anne Alvaro). During the course of the show Castella soon remembers that he once hired and then promptly fired the actress as an English language tutor. He immediately goes out and signs up for language lessons. Thinking that he is nothing but an ill-tempered philistine with bad taste Clara rejects him until Castella charms her off her feet.

Agnes Jaoui co - writes and directs this romantic comedy of manners set in France's rustic Provence. Unpolished and ultra - pragmatic industrialist Jean - Jacques Castella ( co - scripter Jean - Pierre Bacri ) reluctantly attends Racine's tragedy "Berenice" in order to see his niece play a bit part. He is taken with the play's strangely familiar - looking leading lady Clara Devaux ( Anne Alvaro ) . During the course of the show , Castella soon remembers that he once hired and then promptly fired the actress as an English language tutor. He immediately goes out and signs up for language lessons. Thinking that he is nothing but an ill - tempered philistine with bad taste , Clara rejects him until Castella charms her off her feet.

An ambitious project of Chile-born Paris-based Raul Ruiz this psychological drama brings to the screen the famous classic of Marcel Proust with fidelity to its interior monologues and streams of consciousness. Proust (Marcelo Mazzarella) on his deathbed in his small apartment on Rue Hamelin is looking through old photos and remembering his life as real characters intermingle with fictional ones from his novels. The period is 1914-18 when WWI is raging. Hidden in Paris thanks to his asthma Marcel Proust wanders into the night. He finds an aging courtesan in Café de la Paix which is deserted by the curfew. Charlus the seducer of young boys is at the Palais des Felicites where he meets his lovers. Gilberte returns alone to Tansonville to evade the confiscation of her chateau by the Germans after the death of her husband at the front. Famous violinist Morel is hiding in a decrepit hotel. The demoralizing effects of war affect all the characters hastening their decadence or transforming them into caricatures. In the whirlpool of the grotesque specter of war Marcel finds refuge in his childhood memories to escape the atrocities around him. Death and decadence the evanescence of human existence and the relations between space and time are some of the main themes explored in this film which reflects the works of Marcel Proust in every detail. Raul Ruiz has on his side a very good screenwriter Gilles Taurand and an impressive cast: Catherine Deneuve and John Malkovich who have collaborated with Ruiz before Emanuelle Béart Vincent Pérez Pascal Greggory and the Italian man of theatre Marcello Mazzarella. Shown in competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.

An ambitious project of Chile - born , Paris - based Raul Ruiz , this psychological drama brings to the screen the famous classic of Marcel Proust with fidelity to its interior monologues and streams of consciousness. Proust ( Marcelo Mazzarella ), on his deathbed in his small apartment on Rue Hamelin , is looking through old photos and remembering his life , as real characters intermingle with fictional ones from his novels. The period is 1914 - 18 , when WWI is raging. Hidden in Paris , thanks to his asthma , Marcel Proust wanders into the night. He finds an aging courtesan in Café de la Paix , which is deserted by the curfew. Charlus , the seducer of young boys , is at the Palais des Felicites where he meets his lovers. Gilberte returns alone to Tansonville to evade the confiscation of her chateau by the Germans after the death of her husband at the front. Famous violinist Morel is hiding in a decrepit hotel. The demoralizing effects of war affect all the characters , hastening their decadence or transforming them into caricatures. In the whirlpool of the grotesque specter of war , Marcel finds refuge in his childhood memories to escape the atrocities around him. Death and decadence , the evanescence of human existence , and the relations between space and time are some of the main themes explored in this film , which reflects the works of Marcel Proust in every detail. Raul Ruiz has on his side a very good screenwriter , Gilles Taurand , and an impressive cast : Catherine Deneuve and John Malkovich , who have collaborated with Ruiz before , Emanuelle Béart , Vincent Pérez , Pascal Greggory , and the Italian man of theatre , Marcello Mazzarella . Shown in competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival .

A woman's long history of bad luck starts to change when she puts her life on the line in this romantic drama. Adèle (Vanessa Paradis) is a 22-year-old woman whose life seems to have been a long series of miscalculations; she's never had much luck with love life or career and is standing on a bridge overlooking the Seine one night contemplating suicide when she's approached by a man named Gabor (Daniel Auteuil). Gabor announces he's a knife-thrower who needs a new human target for his act. Would Adèle be interested? Adèle's immediate answer is to jump into the water but after Gabor fishes her out and gets her to a hospital she has a change of heart and the pair are soon on their way to Monaco where Gabor gets a spot at a circus. Adèle and Gabor make a great team; he's good with knives she's young and beautiful and suddenly Adèle's luck starts to change. She visits a casino one night and comes home with a fortune and even when Gabor throws blindfolded she walks away without so much as a scratch. However an obvious chemistry is brewing between the two which leads to a dilemma: Gabor has a strict policy of never getting romantically involved with his partners. Will he make an exception or is Adèle's new run of luck coming to an end?

A woman's long history of bad luck starts to change when she puts her life on the line in this romantic drama. Adèle ( Vanessa Paradis ) is a 22 - year - old woman whose life seems to have been a long series of miscalculations ; she's never had much luck with love , life , or career , and is standing on a bridge overlooking the Seine one night , contemplating suicide , when she's approached by a man named Gabor ( Daniel Auteuil ) . Gabor announces he's a knife - thrower who needs a new human target for his act. Would Adèle be interested? Adèle's immediate answer is to jump into the water , but after Gabor fishes her out and gets her to a hospital , she has a change of heart and the pair are soon on their way to Monaco , where Gabor gets a spot at a circus. Adèle and Gabor make a great team ; he's good with knives , she's young and beautiful , and suddenly Adèle's luck starts to change. She visits a casino one night and comes home with a fortune , and even when Gabor throws blindfolded , she walks away without so much as a scratch. However , an obvious chemistry is brewing between the two , which leads to a dilemma : Gabor has a strict policy of never getting romantically involved with his partners. Will he make an exception , or is Adèle's new run of luck coming to an end?

The final installment in Eric Rohmer's Tales of the Four Seasons quartet of films examines matchmaking among the middle-aged and romance in the Rhone Valley. The target of the matchmakers is widowed vintner Magali (Béatrice Romand) alone at her vineyard after the departure of her grown children. Her best friend (Marie Rivière) plots to pair her with a friendly businessman (Alain Libolt) while her son's girlfriend (Alexia Portal) schemes to introduce her to a high-school philosophy teacher. Rohmer's film was shown at the 1998 Venice Film Festival the 1998 Telluride Film Festival the 1998 Toronto Film Festival and the 1998 New York Film Festival.

The final installment in Eric Rohmer 's Tales of the Four Seasons quartet of films examines matchmaking among the middle - aged and romance in the Rhone Valley. The target of the matchmakers is widowed vintner Magali ( Béatrice Romand ), alone at her vineyard after the departure of her grown children. Her best friend ( Marie Rivière ) plots to pair her with a friendly businessman ( Alain Libolt ), while her son's girlfriend ( Alexia Portal ) schemes to introduce her to a high - school philosophy teacher. Rohmer 's film was shown at the 1998 Venice Film Festival , the 1998 Telluride Film Festival , the 1998 Toronto Film Festival , and the 1998 New York Film Festival .

A couple puts faith in love to get them through times of extreme poverty in this comedy-drama that was a major box office success in its native France. Jeannette (Ariane Ascaride) is a single mother living in a working-class community in Marseilles; she tries to support herself and her two kids on her salary as a check-out girl at a supermarket and lives in an apartment complex where everyone is thrown into close proximity with everyone else (thankfully they all get along). Marius (Gerard Meylan) is working as a security guard at a cement factory that has gone out of business; he's also squatting in the building since the plant is soon to be demolished and he'll be needing his money later on. One day Jeannette happens by the factory and spotting several cans of paint tries to take two of them home with her. Marius spots her and tries to chase her away while she rails at him with curses against the capitalist system. The next day an apologetic Marius appears at her doorstep cans of paint in hand; the two soon become friendly and a romance begins to bloom though it quickly becomes obvious that Jeannette's romance novel fantasies about passionate embraces in the sunset are a bit off the mark from what the more pragmatic Marius has in mind. Ariane Ascaride won a Cesar Award (the French Oscar) for her performance in Marius Et Jeannette: Un Conte De L'Estaque; she's married to the film's director Robert Guediguian.

A couple puts faith in love to get them through times of extreme poverty in this comedy - drama that was a major box office success in its native France. Jeannette ( Ariane Ascaride ) is a single mother living in a working - class community in Marseilles ; she tries to support herself and her two kids on her salary as a check - out girl at a supermarket and lives in an apartment complex where everyone is thrown into close proximity with everyone else ( thankfully , they all get along ) . Marius ( Gerard Meylan ) is working as a security guard at a cement factory that has gone out of business ; he's also squatting in the building , since the plant is soon to be demolished and he'll be needing his money later on. One day , Jeannette happens by the factory , and spotting several cans of paint , tries to take two of them home with her. Marius spots her and tries to chase her away , while she rails at him with curses against the capitalist system. The next day , an apologetic Marius appears at her doorstep , cans of paint in hand ; the two soon become friendly , and a romance begins to bloom , though it quickly becomes obvious that Jeannette's romance novel fantasies about passionate embraces in the sunset are a bit off the mark from what the more pragmatic Marius has in mind. Ariane Ascaride won a Cesar Award ( the French Oscar ) for her performance in Marius Et Jeannette : Un Conte De L'Estaque ; she's married to the film's director , Robert Guediguian .

This French coming-of-age movie marked the debut of writer-director Bruno Dumont. The film bears a symbolic resemblance to the life of Jesus Christ but it has no direct relationship with his life. The story is set in the small economically stagnant town of Bailleul in northern France. Freddy (David Douche) is a 19-year-old epileptic whose mother runs a small restaurant. Freddy and his friends get unemployment benefits and ride motorbikes to kill time. They are bored and seething with unfocused resentments which they often take out on local Arab immigrants. One immigrant Kader (Kader Chaatouf) enrages Freddy and his friends by proposing marriage to Freddy's girlfriend Marie (Marjorie Cottreel) so Freddy and his friends set out to punish him. Dumont went on to direct the acclaimed drama L'humanite also set in Bailleul.

This French coming - of - age movie marked the debut of writer - director Bruno Dumont . The film bears a symbolic resemblance to the life of Jesus Christ , but it has no direct relationship with his life. The story is set in the small , economically stagnant town of Bailleul in northern France. Freddy ( David Douche ) is a 19 - year - old epileptic whose mother runs a small restaurant. Freddy and his friends get unemployment benefits and ride motorbikes to kill time. They are bored and seething with unfocused resentments , which they often take out on local Arab immigrants. One immigrant , Kader ( Kader Chaatouf ), enrages Freddy and his friends by proposing marriage to Freddy's girlfriend Marie ( Marjorie Cottreel ), so Freddy and his friends set out to punish him. Dumont went on to direct the acclaimed drama L'humanite , also set in Bailleul.

This drama was based on the true story of a young German Jew who survived the Holocaust by falling in with the Nazis. Solomon Perel (Marco Hofschneider) is the son of a Jewish shoe salesman coming of age in Germany during the rise of Adolf Hitler. In 1938 a group of Nazis attack Solomon's family home; his sister is killed and 13-year-old Solomon flees to Poland. Solomon winds up in an orphanage operated by Stalinist forces; when German forces storm Poland Solomon's fluent German allows him to join the Nazis as a translator posing as Josef Peters an ethnic German. In time "Peters" is made a member of the elite Hitler Youth but since Solomon is circumcised he can be easily revealed as a Jew and he lives in constant fear that his secret will be discovered. Solomon's close calls include an attempted seduction by Robert Kellerman (André Wilms) a homosexual officer and his relationship with Leni (Julie Delpy) a beautiful but violently anti-Semitic woman who wants to bear his child for the glory of the master race. Europa Europa (shown in Europe as Hitlerjunge Salomon) also features the real Solomon Perel who appears briefly as himself.

This drama was based on the true story of a young German Jew who survived the Holocaust by falling in with the Nazis. Solomon Perel ( Marco Hofschneider ) is the son of a Jewish shoe salesman coming of age in Germany during the rise of Adolf Hitler . In 1938 , a group of Nazis attack Solomon's family home ; his sister is killed , and 13 - year - old Solomon flees to Poland. Solomon winds up in an orphanage operated by Stalinist forces ; when German forces storm Poland , Solomon's fluent German allows him to join the Nazis as a translator , posing as Josef Peters , an ethnic German. In time , "Peters" is made a member of the elite Hitler Youth , but since Solomon is circumcised , he can be easily revealed as a Jew , and he lives in constant fear that his secret will be discovered. Solomon's close calls include an attempted seduction by Robert Kellerman ( André Wilms ), a homosexual officer , and his relationship with Leni ( Julie Delpy ), a beautiful but violently anti - Semitic woman who wants to bear his child for the glory of the master race. Europa , Europa ( shown in Europe as Hitlerjunge Salomon ) also features the real Solomon Perel , who appears briefly as himself.

Renowned actor/director Sylvia Chang created this richly layered film about memory regret and lost love. The film opens as successful filmmaker Cheryl (Chang) discusses a script idea about young love with a young screenwriter. She pitches a story about Shao-rou (Gigi Leung) a beautiful though clumsy schoolgirl who falls for a quiet guitar-playing young man named Ho-chuen (Takeshi Kaneshiro). They develop a deep and enduring passion in spite of meddling parents jealous friends and their own naïveté. Yet when they are caught stealing away for a night at far-off Lantau Island they face the wrath of Shao-rou's mother. The strain proves too much and they tearfully break up. Shao-rou's best friend Li (Karen Mok) responds to the news by offering both emotional sympathy and a bungled attempt at physical affection. The already distraught teen flees ending their long friendship. Later when Hou-chuen and Shao-rou meet by happenstance in Tokyo they quickly realize that time has not altered their feelings for each other. She has become a successful fashion designer while he has become a less-than-successful tour guide. The twist comes when we learn not just that Hou-chuen is married but also who his wife turned out to be. As Cheryl describes the affair it becomes increasingly difficult to tell if she is outlining a storyline or reminiscing about an old flame. Leung and Kaneshiro one of Asia's biggest heartthrobs give sensitive and charismatic performances as both awkward teenagers and world-weary adults. Chang employs a complex narrative structure of flashbacks and flashforwards to tell this beautifully wrought quietly touching story. This film was screened at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival.

Renowned actor / director Sylvia Chang created this richly layered film about memory , regret , and lost love. The film opens as successful filmmaker Cheryl ( Chang ) discusses a script idea about young love with a young screenwriter. She pitches a story about Shao - rou ( Gigi Leung ) a beautiful though clumsy schoolgirl who falls for a quiet , guitar - playing young man named Ho - chuen ( Takeshi Kaneshiro ) . They develop a deep and enduring passion in spite of meddling parents , jealous friends , and their own naïveté. Yet when they are caught stealing away for a night at far - off Lantau Island , they face the wrath of Shao - rou's mother. The strain proves too much and they tearfully break up. Shao - rou's best friend Li ( Karen Mok ) responds to the news by offering both emotional sympathy and a bungled attempt at physical affection. The already distraught teen flees , ending their long friendship. Later , when Hou - chuen and Shao - rou meet by happenstance in Tokyo , they quickly realize that time has not altered their feelings for each other. She has become a successful fashion designer while he has become a less - than - successful tour guide. The twist comes when we learn not just that Hou - chuen is married but also who his wife turned out to be. As Cheryl describes the affair , it becomes increasingly difficult to tell if she is outlining a storyline or reminiscing about an old flame. Leung and Kaneshiro , one of Asia's biggest heartthrobs , give sensitive and charismatic performances as both awkward teenagers and world - weary adults. Chang employs a complex narrative structure of flashbacks and flashforwards to tell this beautifully wrought , quietly touching story. This film was screened at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival .

In this classic martial arts film from Hong Kong Yuen Biao plays the effete son of a wealthy man who is halfheartedly studying kung fu though his father has to pay ringers to fight him (and of course lose). When he finds out that his father has been deceiving him Biao decides he must learn the true ways of the martial arts and tries to convince a noted kung fu expert to take him on as a pupil. Prodigal Son was directed by Sammo Hung who also plays a supporting role.

In this classic martial arts film from Hong Kong , Yuen Biao plays the effete son of a wealthy man who is halfheartedly studying kung fu , though his father has to pay ringers to fight him ( and , of course , lose ) . When he finds out that his father has been deceiving him , Biao decides he must learn the true ways of the martial arts , and tries to convince a noted kung fu expert to take him on as a pupil. Prodigal Son was directed by Sammo Hung , who also plays a supporting role.

Following up on his 1989 masterpiece The Killer superstar action director John Woo directs this emotionally wrenching look at three friends waylaid in war-torn Vietnam. Set in 1967 when clashes between leftists protesting British rule and the police were tearing the colony apart the film opens with Frank (Jacky Cheung Hok-yau) offering the deed to his parents' home as collateral to a loan shark so that he can pay for his buddy Ben's (Tony Leung Chiu-wai) wedding party. Unfortunately Frank is ambushed by a thug named Ringo and his associates who make off with the money. Ben and Frank vow revenge and end up accidentally killing the guy. Wanted by both the law and the triads Frank Ben and their pal Paul (Waise Lee Chi-hung) head for Vietnam with a case of fake Rolexes and dreams of making a quick buck. Immediately upon arrival those dreams are dashed -- their wares are blown up in a tin-can military coup they are almost shot by the South Vietnamese army and their passports are seized. Though tempted to throw in the towel Frank and Ben are convinced by Paul into joining forces with shady hit man named Luke (Simon Yam Tat-wah) to shake down club owner Leong (Lam Chung). The scheme goes horribly wrong ending with the death of a beautiful drug-addled singer named Sally (Yolinda Yan Chi-sin) and our three heroes accused of being CIA agents in a North Vietnamese POW camp. Later though Frank saves Paul's live and get injured in the process Paul can only think of financial gain and saving his own neck. He shoots Frank in the head when he fears his friend's cries of agony will tip off the Vietcong. Unfortunately the bullet doesn't kill Frank leaving him brain damaged drug-addled and in chronic pain. After Ben learns of Frank's condition he confronts Paul who has since returned to Hong Kong to become a prominent businessman. John Woo was originally planning to make this film under the name A Better Tomorrow 3 until Tsui Hark took the franchise away from him fashioning his own version.

Following up on his 1989 masterpiece The Killer , superstar action director John Woo directs this emotionally wrenching look at three friends waylaid in war - torn Vietnam. Set in 1967 , when clashes between leftists protesting British rule and the police were tearing the colony apart , the film opens with Frank ( Jacky Cheung Hok - yau ) offering the deed to his parents' home as collateral to a loan shark , so that he can pay for his buddy Ben's ( Tony Leung Chiu - wai ) wedding party. Unfortunately , Frank is ambushed by a thug named Ringo and his associates who make off with the money. Ben and Frank vow revenge and end up accidentally killing the guy. Wanted by both the law and the triads , Frank , Ben , and their pal Paul ( Waise Lee Chi - hung ) head for Vietnam with a case of fake Rolexes and dreams of making a quick buck. Immediately upon arrival , those dreams are dashed -- their wares are blown up in a tin - can military coup , they are almost shot by the South Vietnamese army , and their passports are seized. Though tempted to throw in the towel , Frank and Ben are convinced by Paul into joining forces with shady hit man named Luke ( Simon Yam Tat - wah ) to shake down club owner Leong ( Lam Chung ) . The scheme goes horribly wrong , ending with the death of a beautiful drug - addled singer named Sally ( Yolinda Yan Chi - sin ) and our three heroes accused of being CIA agents in a North Vietnamese POW camp. Later , though , Frank saves Paul's live and get injured in the process , Paul can only think of financial gain and saving his own neck. He shoots Frank in the head when he fears his friend's cries of agony will tip off the Vietcong. Unfortunately , the bullet doesn't kill Frank , leaving him brain damaged , drug - addled , and in chronic pain. After Ben learns of Frank's condition , he confronts Paul who has since returned to Hong Kong to become a prominent businessman. John Woo was originally planning to make this film under the name A Better Tomorrow 3 until Tsui Hark took the franchise away from him , fashioning his own version.

This was internationally famous Jackie Chan's breakthrough action film the work that got him past the ethnic boundaries of Hong Kong and into competition at the New York Film Festival in 1986. It also got him into the hospital after performing a stunt in which he fell through a glass canopy -- and stopped breathing. The story itself is not particularly profound. Kevin (Ga-kui) (Chan) is an honest self-effacing cop who manages to capture drug lord Cho (Cho Leung) almost single-handedly. A reluctant Kevin is then assigned the job of protecting Cho's secretary Selena (Brigitte Lin) who is going to testify against him. Sure enough the trial date comes and Selena disappears while Cho has to be set free for lack of evidence. The next thing he knows Kevin is framed by Cho for the murder of a fellow (dirty) cop and is running like heck from the bad guys as well as the police. Some incredible stunts in this film include Chan being dragged behind a double-decker bus. One of Jackie Chan's trademarks are hilarious outtakes shown during the end credits and they are among the best here. This feature is repeated to great advantage at the end of his 1998 hit Rush Hour as well. Police Story picked up "Best Picture" and "Best Action Choreography" at the 1986 Hong Kong Film Festival and was nominated for several other awards that year. Sequel after sequel followed.

This was internationally famous Jackie Chan 's breakthrough action film , the work that got him past the ethnic boundaries of Hong Kong and into competition at the New York Film Festival in 1986. It also got him into the hospital after performing a stunt in which he fell through a glass canopy -- and stopped breathing. The story itself is not particularly profound. Kevin ( Ga - kui ) ( Chan ) is an honest , self - effacing cop who manages to capture drug lord Cho ( Cho Leung ) almost single - handedly. A reluctant Kevin is then assigned the job of protecting Cho's secretary Selena ( Brigitte Lin ) who is going to testify against him. Sure enough , the trial date comes , and Selena disappears , while Cho has to be set free for lack of evidence. The next thing he knows , Kevin is framed by Cho for the murder of a fellow ( dirty ) cop and is running like heck from the bad guys as well as the police. Some incredible stunts in this film include Chan being dragged behind a double - decker bus. One of Jackie Chan 's trademarks are hilarious outtakes shown during the end credits , and they are among the best here. This feature is repeated to great advantage at the end of his 1998 hit Rush Hour as well. Police Story picked up "Best Picture" and "Best Action Choreography" at the 1986 Hong Kong Film Festival and was nominated for several other awards that year. Sequel after sequel followed.

Hard-Boiled is the last film directed by Hong Kong action auteur John Woo before his arrival in the U.S. This 1992 thriller along with The Killer is widely seen as one of his best from his Hong Kong days. Every ingredient of the quintessential Woo thriller is present including his ever-present anti-hero (Chow Yun-Fat). Yun-Fat portrays a maverick clarinet-playing cop nicknamed "Tequila" whose partner is killed in the dizzying chaos of a restaurant gunfight with a small army of gangsters. It is soon revealed that one of the mob's high-ranking assassins is Tony (Tony Leung) an undercover cop who despite his badge is dangerously close to the edge. Tequila and Tony must team up in a tense partnership and their common pursuit of a vicious crime lord results in a brilliantly elaborate climax in a hospital where the heroes must rescue newborn babies from the maternity ward while fighting off dozens of mob soldiers. The characters Tequila and Tony are two sides of the same coin another trademark theme of Woo's films that would later be most fully realized with Nicolas Cage and John Travolta in the American hit Face/Off.

Hard - Boiled is the last film directed by Hong Kong action auteur John Woo before his arrival in the U.S. This 1992 thriller , along with The Killer , is widely seen as one of his best from his Hong Kong days. Every ingredient of the quintessential Woo thriller is present , including his ever - present anti - hero ( Chow Yun - Fat ) . Yun - Fat portrays a maverick , clarinet - playing cop nicknamed "Tequila" whose partner is killed in the dizzying chaos of a restaurant gunfight with a small army of gangsters. It is soon revealed that one of the mob's high - ranking assassins is Tony ( Tony Leung ), an undercover cop who , despite his badge , is dangerously close to the edge. Tequila and Tony must team up in a tense partnership , and their common pursuit of a vicious crime lord results in a brilliantly elaborate climax in a hospital , where the heroes must rescue newborn babies from the maternity ward while fighting off dozens of mob soldiers. The characters Tequila and Tony are two sides of the same coin , another trademark theme of Woo's films that would later be most fully realized with Nicolas Cage and John Travolta in the American hit Face / Off .

One of the earliest major films starring Jackie Chan this 1978 Hong Kong offering highlights the relationship between a student and his martial arts master. This theme would dominate the American martial arts genre for years to come as evidenced by The Karate Kid and many films to follow. Wong Fei-hong played by Chan is a 19th-century folk hero in Chinese culture and cinema a kung fu master who fights injustice in the time of British colonialism. This character would later be portrayed by Jet Li in the more serious Once Upon a Time in China. Drunken Master finds Wong in his early years as a troublesome youth who is sent to receive discipline and martial arts instruction from his uncle (Siu Tien Yuen) the hard-drinking title character. Wong runs away but runs afoul of some local villains. Beaten badly he returns to his uncle who trains him in "drunken-style" kung fu. The martial arts showcased by Chan in this film are important in the development of his career; the staggering inebriated techniques allow for a looser more flowing style but more importantly they contribute to the elaborate martial-arts slapstick that have become Chan's trademark and have made him an international star.

One of the earliest major films starring Jackie Chan , this 1978 Hong Kong offering highlights the relationship between a student and his martial arts master. This theme would dominate the American martial arts genre for years to come , as evidenced by The Karate Kid and many films to follow. Wong Fei - hong , played by Chan , is a 19th - century folk hero in Chinese culture and cinema , a kung fu master who fights injustice in the time of British colonialism. This character would later be portrayed by Jet Li in the more serious Once Upon a Time in China . Drunken Master finds Wong in his early years as a troublesome youth who is sent to receive discipline and martial arts instruction from his uncle ( Siu Tien Yuen ), the hard - drinking title character. Wong runs away , but runs afoul of some local villains. Beaten badly , he returns to his uncle , who trains him in "drunken - style" kung fu. The martial arts showcased by Chan in this film are important in the development of his career ; the staggering , inebriated techniques allow for a looser , more flowing style , but more importantly , they contribute to the elaborate martial - arts slapstick that have become Chan's trademark and have made him an international star.

This melodramatic epic martial arts outing from Hong Kong filmmaker Clara Law is set in 7th-century China and center's on a disgraced warrior's quest for redemption. Formerly a general he trustingly made a devil's bargain with a rival general that resulted in the assassination of his troops and the prince he was sworn to protect. Though every part of him aches for bloody vengeance the fallen fighter follows his mother's advice and becomes a peaceful wanderer. He tries but things don't go the way he hoped for everywhere he goes. His nemesis attacks and before long kills everyone the good general cares about including his lover a beautiful princess. He finally finds solace in a remote Buddhist temple where he undergoes instruction from elderly monks. This time trouble comes in the form of a beautiful widow a woman who looks exactly like his slain love. On the heels of her betrayal comes the wicked general and before the heroic warrior can find lasting peace he must survive one last battle.

This melodramatic epic martial arts outing from Hong Kong filmmaker Clara Law is set in 7th - century China and center's on a disgraced warrior's quest for redemption. Formerly a general , he trustingly made a devil's bargain with a rival general that resulted in the assassination of his troops and the prince he was sworn to protect. Though every part of him aches for bloody vengeance , the fallen fighter follows his mother's advice and becomes a peaceful wanderer. He tries , but things don't go the way he hoped for everywhere he goes. His nemesis attacks , and , before long , kills everyone the good general cares about , including his lover , a beautiful princess. He finally finds solace in a remote Buddhist temple where he undergoes instruction from elderly monks. This time trouble comes in the form of a beautiful widow , a woman who looks exactly like his slain love. On the heels of her betrayal comes the wicked general and before the heroic warrior can find lasting peace , he must survive one last battle.

Peter Mak Tai-kit spins this exuberant visually dense adaptation from the popular similarly named Japanese anime. The film is set in a world where shape-shifting alien creatures known as Raptors have infiltrated human society. To deal with this problem Hong Kong has fashioned a secret government task force aptly known as the Anti-Raptor Bureau recruiting young talent with telekinetic abilities such as Taki (Leon Lai Ming) and Ken (Jacky Cheung Hok-yau). The bureau's current interest is in Japanese billionaire Daishu (played by Japanese screen legend Tatsuya Nakadai who spends much of the film looking like he is going to kill his agent) who they figure is well over 150 years old and a likely Raptor. For his part Daishu preaches peaceful co-habitation with humans. His deranged son Shudo (Roy Cheung Yiu-yueng) on the other hand espouses the wholesale destruction of the human race. Of course the presence of a mysterious drug called Happiness which gives Raptors fantastic strength and a hair-trigger temper is not helping the cause of the peacemakers.

Peter Mak Tai - kit spins this exuberant , visually dense adaptation from the popular similarly named Japanese anime. The film is set in a world where shape - shifting alien creatures known as Raptors have infiltrated human society. To deal with this problem , Hong Kong has fashioned a secret government task force aptly known as the Anti - Raptor Bureau , recruiting young talent with telekinetic abilities such as Taki ( Leon Lai Ming ) and Ken ( Jacky Cheung Hok - yau ) . The bureau's current interest is in Japanese billionaire Daishu ( played by Japanese screen legend Tatsuya Nakadai , who spends much of the film looking like he is going to kill his agent ) who they figure is well over 150 years old and a likely Raptor. For his part , Daishu preaches peaceful co - habitation with humans. His deranged son , Shudo ( Roy Cheung Yiu - yueng ), on the other hand , espouses the wholesale destruction of the human race. Of course , the presence of a mysterious drug called Happiness , which gives Raptors fantastic strength and a hair - trigger temper , is not helping the cause of the peacemakers.

Chen Kaige the director of the international smash Farewell My Concubine reunited that film's stars Gong Li and Leslie Cheung for this complexly layered visually spectacular historical epic. Opening in 1911 shortly before the collapse of the Imperial government Temptress Moon follows the wealthy and powerful Pang Family whose patriarch is hopelessly addicted to opium which he calls "the source of all inspiration." Zhengda (Zhou Yemang) Old Master Pang's oldest son has married a woman named Xiuyi (He Saifei) and her younger brother Zhongliang is brought to live with the Pangs where he earns his keep as a servant. Zhengda shares his father's dependence on opium and Zhongliang's responsibilities include minding their pipes; Zhengda also forces Zhongliang to kiss Xiuyi in a shadowy incident that suggests an incestuous relationship. In time Zhongliang grows to adulthood (now played by Leslie Cheung) and flees the Pang estate; he travels to Shanghai where he becomes a gigolo seducing women and stealing their valuables. After Old Master Pang dies and Zhengda's addiction to drugs renders him brain damaged his sister Ruyi (Gong Li) who had been Zhongliang's playmate in childhood is proclaimed the head of the household. Knowing of his connection to the Pang Family and long-ago friendship with Ruyi Zhongliang is ordered by his bosses in the Shanghai underworld to return to the Pang estate where he is to seduce her gain control of the family's fortune and then steal it from her. Like Farewell My Concubine Temptress Moon proved to be controversial in its native China due to its frank but unsensational depiction of sex and drug use.

Chen Kaige , the director of the international smash Farewell My Concubine , reunited that film's stars , Gong Li and Leslie Cheung , for this complexly layered , visually spectacular historical epic. Opening in 1911 , shortly before the collapse of the Imperial government , Temptress Moon follows the wealthy and powerful Pang Family , whose patriarch is hopelessly addicted to opium , which he calls "the source of all inspiration." Zhengda ( Zhou Yemang ), Old Master Pang's oldest son , has married a woman named Xiuyi ( He Saifei ), and her younger brother Zhongliang is brought to live with the Pangs , where he earns his keep as a servant. Zhengda shares his father's dependence on opium , and Zhongliang's responsibilities include minding their pipes ; Zhengda also forces Zhongliang to kiss Xiuyi in a shadowy incident that suggests an incestuous relationship. In time , Zhongliang grows to adulthood ( now played by Leslie Cheung ) and flees the Pang estate ; he travels to Shanghai , where he becomes a gigolo , seducing women and stealing their valuables. After Old Master Pang dies and Zhengda's addiction to drugs renders him brain damaged , his sister Ruyi ( Gong Li ), who had been Zhongliang's playmate in childhood , is proclaimed the head of the household. Knowing of his connection to the Pang Family and long - ago friendship with Ruyi , Zhongliang is ordered by his bosses in the Shanghai underworld to return to the Pang estate , where he is to seduce her , gain control of the family's fortune , and then steal it from her. Like Farewell My Concubine , Temptress Moon proved to be controversial in its native China , due to its frank but unsensational depiction of sex and drug use.

After years as a major star in most of the rest of the world Jackie Chan finally broke through to stardom in the United States with Rumble in the Bronx a dubbed and re-edited version of Hung Fan Kui. Here Chan plays Keung a police officer from Hong Kong who travels to New York to attend the wedding of his uncle Bill (Bill Tung). Bill has just sold his grocery store to Elaine (Anita Mui) and Keung finds Elaine to be a pretty good reason to extend his visit to New York. However a mean-spirited and fashion-challenged street gang has moved into the neighborhood and is demanding protection money from the local storekeepers. Elaine is ready to sell the store and move on but Keung is determined to show the toughs that he's not about to be pushed around. Things get even more sticky when the hoods are on the trail of a lost cache of stolen jewels.

After years as a major star in most of the rest of the world , Jackie Chan finally broke through to stardom in the United States with Rumble in the Bronx , a dubbed and re - edited version of Hung Fan Kui . Here Chan plays Keung , a police officer from Hong Kong who travels to New York to attend the wedding of his uncle , Bill ( Bill Tung ) . Bill has just sold his grocery store to Elaine ( Anita Mui ), and Keung finds Elaine to be a pretty good reason to extend his visit to New York. However , a mean - spirited and fashion - challenged street gang has moved into the neighborhood and is demanding protection money from the local storekeepers. Elaine is ready to sell the store and move on , but Keung is determined to show the toughs that he's not about to be pushed around. Things get even more sticky when the hoods are on the trail of a lost cache of stolen jewels.

Jackie Chan returns in one of his greatest roles in this action-comedy sequel to his 1978 Hong Kong blockbuster Drunken Master. Wong Fei Hong (Chan) is a young master of the martial art of "drunken boxing" in which fighters use alcohol to blind themselves to pain and release the angry brawler within; with the right amount of drinks under his belt Hong can become a furious one-man army. Hong accompanies his father (Ti Lung) on a voyage to China where they purchase a precious supply of ginseng. When Hong discovers thugs stealing from their luggage he leaps into action to get their belongings back. Instead he winds up with a box of valuable Chinese artifacts which criminals are hoping to smuggle to England at a tremendous profit. Hong sets out to fight the gangsters and give the artifacts back to their rightful owners but while his stepmother (Anita Mui) encourages him to use his drunken boxing skills his father feels his boozy antics bring shame to the family. Jackie Chan brought some of his most elaborate stunt work to Drunken Master 2 including a remarkable fight on a bed of hot coals; Chan also directed part of the film after Lau Kar Leung was fired after a number of disagreements with his star. Six years after it became a box office hit in Asia Drunken Master 2 earned a theatrical release in the United States; the film was re-titled Legend Of The Drunken Master (in part because the original Drunken Master never had a proper theatrical release in America) re-edited and dubbed into English with a new score by Michael Wandmacher.

Jackie Chan returns in one of his greatest roles in this action - comedy sequel to his 1978 Hong Kong blockbuster Drunken Master . Wong Fei Hong ( Chan ) is a young master of the martial art of "drunken boxing , " in which fighters use alcohol to blind themselves to pain and release the angry brawler within ; with the right amount of drinks under his belt , Hong can become a furious one - man army. Hong accompanies his father ( Ti Lung ) on a voyage to China , where they purchase a precious supply of ginseng. When Hong discovers thugs stealing from their luggage , he leaps into action to get their belongings back. Instead , he winds up with a box of valuable Chinese artifacts , which criminals are hoping to smuggle to England at a tremendous profit. Hong sets out to fight the gangsters and give the artifacts back to their rightful owners , but while his stepmother ( Anita Mui ) encourages him to use his drunken boxing skills , his father feels his boozy antics bring shame to the family. Jackie Chan brought some of his most elaborate stunt work to Drunken Master 2 , including a remarkable fight on a bed of hot coals ; Chan also directed part of the film , after Lau Kar Leung was fired after a number of disagreements with his star. Six years after it became a box office hit in Asia , Drunken Master 2 earned a theatrical release in the United States ; the film was re - titled Legend Of The Drunken Master ( in part because the original Drunken Master never had a proper theatrical release in America ), re - edited , and dubbed into English , with a new score by Michael Wandmacher .

Even for viewers who can take or leave martial-arts films the work of Jackie Chan bears special attention. Chan is quite simply the hardest-working movie star in the world regularly participating in the sort of death-defying stuntwork which would make most American action heroes cringe in fear. Combining his daredevil heroics with an almost goofy brand of self-effacing humor Chan is one of the genre's most entertaining and engaging personalities. In this film third in the Police Story series Chan plays a Hong Kong detective working undercover with the Chinese police to nab a Malaysian druglord. The usual hair-raising gamut of stunts follow and numerous shootouts fights and explosions surround the plucky cop as he combats bad guys atop a moving train a bus a motorcycle a speedboat cars and trucks eventually being swung through the city at high speed on a rope-ladder suspended from a helicopter. For the kind of fast-paced exotic thrills that make James Bond look like a wimp this film is the place to go. There are some amusing comedy bits too as when Chan's superiors all go undercover as his long-lost family and the story zips along at a feverish clip.

Even for viewers who can take or leave martial - arts films , the work of Jackie Chan bears special attention. Chan is quite simply the hardest - working movie star in the world , regularly participating in the sort of death - defying stuntwork which would make most American action heroes cringe in fear. Combining his daredevil heroics with an almost goofy brand of self - effacing humor , Chan is one of the genre's most entertaining and engaging personalities. In this film , third in the Police Story series , Chan plays a Hong Kong detective working undercover with the Chinese police to nab a Malaysian druglord. The usual hair - raising gamut of stunts follow , and numerous shootouts , fights and explosions surround the plucky cop as he combats bad guys atop a moving train , a bus , a motorcycle , a speedboat , cars , and trucks , eventually being swung through the city at high speed on a rope - ladder suspended from a helicopter. For the kind of fast - paced exotic thrills that make James Bond look like a wimp , this film is the place to go. There are some amusing comedy bits too , as when Chan's superiors all go undercover as his long - lost family , and the story zips along at a feverish clip.

One of the Shaw Brothers Studios most well-known films King Boxer was an international success that helped instigate the kung fu craze of the '70s. It opens with an old master (Wen Chung Ku) attacked in an alley. He fends off the fighters but decides he isn't strong enough to travel to a martial arts school to learn the Iron Fist (also called Iron Palm) fighting technique. He sends his pupil and son-in-law Chao Chi-Hao (Lo Lieh) instead. When Chao arrives at the school he finds the students and teachers in preparation for the All China Tournament. They fear that if their archrivals win the competition they will rule with cruelty. Chao the clumsy rookie must start at the lowest rung of the school's ladder and work his way up. Meanwhile Ming Dung Shun (Tin Fung) master of the "bad" school has hired Chen Lang (Gam Hei Chu) a tough mercenary and two Japanese ronins to kill or maim the "good" school's best fighters. In one of these fights Chao's hands are broken and it seems as if he will not be able to fight again. Chao redoubles his efforts to overcome his injury and learn the Iron Fist technique. Mastery of the technique is indicated by a "whooo-hee whooo-hee" sound effect and a quick zoom to the fighter's glowing hands. Chao's old master is also attacked and killed by these fighters and his daughter/Chao's girlfriend Yin Yin (Ping Wang) flees to tell him the bad news. Chao fights his way to the All China Tournament and prepares to take on Ming Dung Shun and his cohorts. In the United State the film is more commonly known as Five Fingers of Death the more exploitative title given to it by Warner Brothers.

One of the Shaw Brothers Studios most well - known films , King Boxer was an international success that helped instigate the kung fu craze of the '70s. It opens with an old master ( Wen Chung Ku ) attacked in an alley. He fends off the fighters , but decides he isn't strong enough to travel to a martial arts school to learn the Iron Fist ( also called Iron Palm ) fighting technique. He sends his pupil and son - in - law Chao Chi - Hao ( Lo Lieh ) instead. When Chao arrives at the school , he finds the students and teachers in preparation for the All China Tournament. They fear that if their archrivals win the competition they will rule with cruelty. Chao , the clumsy rookie , must start at the lowest rung of the school's ladder and work his way up. Meanwhile Ming Dung Shun ( Tin Fung ), master of the "bad" school has hired Chen Lang ( Gam Hei Chu ), a tough mercenary , and two Japanese ronins to kill or maim the "good" school's best fighters. In one of these fights Chao's hands are broken and it seems as if he will not be able to fight again. Chao redoubles his efforts to overcome his injury and learn the Iron Fist technique. Mastery of the technique is indicated by a "whooo - hee whooo - hee" sound effect and a quick zoom to the fighter's glowing hands. Chao's old master is also attacked and killed by these fighters and his daughter / Chao's girlfriend Yin Yin ( Ping Wang ) flees to tell him the bad news. Chao fights his way to the All China Tournament , and prepares to take on Ming Dung Shun and his cohorts. In the United State , the film is more commonly known as Five Fingers of Death , the more exploitative title given to it by Warner Brothers.

One of the best action films starring the legendary Bruce Lee this movie features the martial artist as Chen Chen who returns to his former school in early 20th century Shanghai when he learns that his beloved instructor has been murdered. While probing the man's death and seeking vengeance Chen discovers that a drug smuggling operation a rival school and simmering racial tensions between Chinese and Japanese locals are factors in the nefarious dealings at his alma mater and in his master's slaying. Chen's got his work cut out for him as he takes on assassins of both races and even a towering Russian. Variously titled The Chinese Connection and The Iron Hand Fist of Fury features stunt work by a young Jackie Chan (who served as Lee's double). The film was remade two and a half decades later as Fist of Legend (1999) with Jet Li in the role of Chen.

One of the best action films starring the legendary Bruce Lee , this movie features the martial artist as Chen Chen , who returns to his former school in early 20th century Shanghai when he learns that his beloved instructor has been murdered. While probing the man's death and seeking vengeance , Chen discovers that a drug smuggling operation , a rival school , and simmering racial tensions between Chinese and Japanese locals are factors in the nefarious dealings at his alma mater and in his master's slaying. Chen's got his work cut out for him as he takes on assassins of both races , and even a towering Russian. Variously titled The Chinese Connection and The Iron Hand , Fist of Fury features stunt work by a young Jackie Chan ( who served as Lee's double ) . The film was remade two and a half decades later as Fist of Legend ( 1999 ), with Jet Li in the role of Chen.

Hong Kong star Jet Li portrays the inventor of T'ai Chi in this entertaining if not historically accurate martial-arts movie. Junbao (Li) and Tienbao (Chin Siu-Ho) are a pair of young monks studying kung fu in a Shaolin temple. Junbao is balanced and humble but Tienbao is competitive and eager to advance. The two are wrongfully accused of cheating during a tournament and are expelled. From there they take radically different paths. Tienbao becomes a mercenary for an evil warlord and Junbao joins a rebel group led by Michelle Yeoh. Tienbao betrays Junbao; Junbao loses his memory in the resulting fight. While recuperating he develops the graceful T'ai Chi fighting style. Although many may find the cartoonish acrobatic fight sequences to be campy they are elaborate and dazzling.

Hong Kong star Jet Li portrays the inventor of T'ai Chi in this entertaining if not historically accurate martial - arts movie. Junbao ( Li ) and Tienbao ( Chin Siu - Ho ) are a pair of young monks studying kung fu in a Shaolin temple. Junbao is balanced and humble , but Tienbao is competitive and eager to advance. The two are wrongfully accused of cheating during a tournament and are expelled. From there they take radically different paths. Tienbao becomes a mercenary for an evil warlord , and Junbao joins a rebel group led by Michelle Yeoh . Tienbao betrays Junbao ; Junbao loses his memory in the resulting fight. While recuperating , he develops the graceful T'ai Chi fighting style. Although many may find the cartoonish , acrobatic fight sequences to be campy , they are elaborate and dazzling.

Jet Li stars in this historical Hong Kong action film as Chen Zhen a Chinese student in Japan in the 1920s. When his master is killed during the Japanese occupation of China he returns to avenge his teacher's death. Back in China he finds himself caught in the escalating racial tensions between the Chinese and the Japanese. The martial arts sequences in this 1994 film are handled more seriously than flashy acrobatics of other kung fu epics of the time and are perhaps a better showcase for Li's awe-inspiring fighting abilities. This story is inspired heavily by Bruce Lee's classic Fists of Fury.

Jet Li stars in this historical Hong Kong action film , as Chen Zhen , a Chinese student in Japan in the 1920s. When his master is killed during the Japanese occupation of China , he returns to avenge his teacher's death. Back in China , he finds himself caught in the escalating racial tensions between the Chinese and the Japanese. The martial arts sequences in this 1994 film are handled more seriously than flashy acrobatics of other kung fu epics of the time and are perhaps a better showcase for Li's awe - inspiring fighting abilities. This story is inspired heavily by Bruce Lee 's classic Fists of Fury .

Hungarian director Istvan Szabó's 1976 feature Budapest Tales (AKA Budapesti mesék) unfolds in a purely allegorical dreamlike realm rich with indigenous symbolism. Following some great catastrophic onslaught - its exact nature unknown - a number of individuals emerge from hiding and discover a dilapidated old trolley car awash on a river bank. They instinctively begin loading all of their worldly goods onto the vehicle and pushing it along its tracks destination unknown. In time even the concept of a destination becomes secondary to the trek itself and a number of key events befall the passenger/participants: a few lose all energy and fall by the wayside; the travelers run headfirst into a river that runs across a section of track and must break the trolley down and move the pieces across one at a time; occasional accidents and calamities arise including the arrival of brigands. The life cycle however continues unabated: while one of the passengers dies sacrificing his own life to ensure the continuation of the journey a woman on board gives birth to twins. In time the passengers (who have painted the trolley yellow and designated it with the number '1') enter the vicinity of a massive city and discover that theirs is only one of a large number of indistinguishable trolleys approaching the metropolis. Many critics read Budapest Tales as a metaphor for the post-WWII history of Hungary; its overall reception was somewhat poor.

Hungarian director Istvan Szabó 's 1976 feature Budapest Tales ( AKA Budapesti mesék ) unfolds in a purely allegorical , dreamlike realm , rich with indigenous symbolism. Following some great catastrophic onslaught - its exact nature unknown - a number of individuals emerge from hiding and discover a dilapidated old trolley car awash on a river bank. They instinctively begin loading all of their worldly goods onto the vehicle and pushing it along its tracks , destination unknown. In time , even the concept of a destination becomes secondary to the trek itself , and a number of key events befall the passenger / participants : a few lose all energy and fall by the wayside ; the travelers run headfirst into a river that runs across a section of track , and must break the trolley down and move the pieces across , one at a time ; occasional accidents and calamities arise , including the arrival of brigands. The life cycle , however , continues unabated : while one of the passengers dies , sacrificing his own life to ensure the continuation of the journey , a woman on board gives birth to twins. In time , the passengers ( who have painted the trolley yellow and designated it with the number '1' ) enter the vicinity of a massive city , and discover that theirs is only one of a large number of indistinguishable trolleys approaching the metropolis. Many critics read Budapest Tales as a metaphor for the post - WWII history of Hungary ; its overall reception was somewhat poor.

In this drama the ritual killing of a young woman causes a pair of Jewish loggers to begin suspecting each other of the crime.

In this drama , the ritual killing of a young woman causes a pair of Jewish loggers to begin suspecting each other of the crime.

Also known as Red Riding Hood Year 2000 this Hungarian/Canadian co-production is not for children. Director Marta Meszaros again dwells upon the travails of women trapped in oppressive society. This time the Red Riding Hood legend is used metaphorically within the framework of a quasi-futuristic storyline. The "wolves" are of the human variety and "friendly hunters" few and far between.

Also known as Red Riding Hood , Year 2000 , this Hungarian / Canadian co - production is not for children. Director Marta Meszaros again dwells upon the travails of women trapped in oppressive society. This time , the Red Riding Hood legend is used metaphorically within the framework of a quasi - futuristic storyline. The "wolves" are of the human variety , and "friendly hunters" few and far between.

Love and heartbreak are not just for the young as this Hungarian film shows. Nominated for the 1974 Academy Award for "Best Foreign Film" it tells the story of two sixtyish sisters. The younger sister a singing teacher has remained in Hungary and the older one lives in West Germany. Despite many requests from her older sister the teacher remains in Hungary at least partly due to her love for a retired opera singer. As letters pass between the two sisters many flashbacks tell the story of their childhood. When the younger sister discovers that the opera singer has a new girlfriend she takes drastic action to deal with her rejection.

Love and heartbreak are not just for the young , as this Hungarian film shows. Nominated for the 1974 Academy Award for "Best Foreign Film , " it tells the story of two sixtyish sisters. The younger sister , a singing teacher , has remained in Hungary , and the older one lives in West Germany. Despite many requests from her older sister , the teacher remains in Hungary at least partly due to her love for a retired opera singer. As letters pass between the two sisters , many flashbacks tell the story of their childhood. When the younger sister discovers that the opera singer has a new girlfriend , she takes drastic action to deal with her rejection.

What if virtual reality wasn't just for fun but was being used to imprison you? That's the dilemma that faces mild-mannered computer jockey Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves) in The Matrix. It's the year 1999 and Anderson (hacker alias: Neo) works in a cubicle manning a computer and doing a little hacking on the side. It's through this latter activity that Thomas makes the acquaintance of Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) who has some interesting news for Mr. Anderson -- none of what's going on around him is real. The year is actually closer to 2199 and it seems Thomas like most people is a victim of The Matrix a massive artificial intelligence system that has tapped into people's minds and created the illusion of a real world while using their brains and bodies for energy tossing them away like spent batteries when they're through. Morpheus however is convinced Neo is "The One" who can crack open The Matrix and bring his people to both physical and psychological freedom. The Matrix is the second feature film from the sibling writer/director team of Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski who made an impressive debut with the stylish erotic crime thriller Bound.

What if virtual reality wasn't just for fun , but was being used to imprison you? That's the dilemma that faces mild - mannered computer jockey Thomas Anderson ( Keanu Reeves ) in The Matrix . It's the year 1999 , and Anderson ( hacker alias : Neo ) works in a cubicle , manning a computer and doing a little hacking on the side. It's through this latter activity that Thomas makes the acquaintance of Morpheus ( Laurence Fishburne ), who has some interesting news for Mr. Anderson -- none of what's going on around him is real. The year is actually closer to 2199 , and it seems Thomas , like most people , is a victim of The Matrix , a massive artificial intelligence system that has tapped into people's minds and created the illusion of a real world , while using their brains and bodies for energy , tossing them away like spent batteries when they're through. Morpheus , however , is convinced Neo is "The One" who can crack open The Matrix and bring his people to both physical and psychological freedom. The Matrix is the second feature film from the sibling writer / director team of Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski , who made an impressive debut with the stylish erotic crime thriller Bound .

ased on a novel by Stanislaw Lem Solaris centers on widowed psychologist Kris Kelvin (Donata Banionis) who is sent to a space station orbiting a water-dominated planet called Solaris to investigate the mysterious death of a doctor as well as the mental problems plaguing the dwindling number of cosmonauts on the station. Finding the remaining crew to be behaving oddly and aloof Kelvin is more than surprised when he meets his seven-years-dead wife Khari (Natalya Bondarchuk) on the station. It quickly becomes apparent that Solaris possesses something that brings out repressed memories and obsessions within the cosmonauts on the space station leaving Kelvin to question his perception of reality. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 1972 Cannes Film Festival Solaris was remade by Steven Soderbergh in 2002.

Based on a novel by Stanislaw Lem , Solaris centers on widowed psychologist Kris Kelvin ( Donata Banionis ), who is sent to a space station orbiting a water - dominated planet called Solaris to investigate the mysterious death of a doctor , as well as the mental problems plaguing the dwindling number of cosmonauts on the station. Finding the remaining crew to be behaving oddly and aloof , Kelvin is more than surprised when he meets his seven - years - dead wife Khari ( Natalya Bondarchuk ) on the station. It quickly becomes apparent that Solaris possesses something that brings out repressed memories and obsessions within the cosmonauts on the space station , leaving Kelvin to question his perception of reality. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 1972 Cannes Film Festival , Solaris was remade by Steven Soderbergh in 2002.

The second entry in George Lucas' Star Wars trilogy finds Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) the green-as-grass hero from the first film now a seasoned space warrior. Luke's Star Wars cohorts Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) are likewise more experienced in the ways and means of battling the insidious Empire as represented by the brooding Darth Vader (body of David Prowse voice of James Earl Jones). And of course "The Force" personified by the ghost of Luke's mentor Ben Kenobi (Alec Guinness) is with them all. Retreating from Vader's minions Luke ends up at first on the Ice Planet Hoth and then the tropical Dagobah. Here he makes the acquaintance of the gnomish Yoda (voice of Frank Oz) whose all-encompassing wisdom comes in handy during the serial-like perils of the rest of the film. Before the film's open-ended climax we are introduced to the apparently duplicitous Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) and are let in on a secret that profoundly affects both Luke and his arch-enemy Vader. Many viewers consider this award-winning film the best of the Star Wars movies and its special-effects bonanza was pure gold at the box office.

The second entry in George Lucas ' Star Wars trilogy finds Luke Skywalker ( Mark Hamill ), the green - as - grass hero from the first film , now a seasoned space warrior. Luke's Star Wars cohorts Han Solo ( Harrison Ford ) and Princess Leia ( Carrie Fisher ) are likewise more experienced in the ways and means of battling the insidious Empire , as represented by the brooding Darth Vader ( body of David Prowse , voice of James Earl Jones ) . And , of course , "The Force , " personified by the ghost of Luke's mentor Ben Kenobi ( Alec Guinness ), is with them all. Retreating from Vader's minions , Luke ends up , at first , on the Ice Planet Hoth , and then the tropical Dagobah. Here he makes the acquaintance of the gnomish Yoda ( voice of Frank Oz ), whose all - encompassing wisdom comes in handy during the serial - like perils of the rest of the film. Before the film's open - ended climax , we are introduced to the apparently duplicitous Lando Calrissian ( Billy Dee Williams ) and are let in on a secret that profoundly affects both Luke and his arch - enemy , Vader. Many viewers consider this award - winning film the best of the Star Wars movies , and its special - effects bonanza was pure gold at the box office.

A blend of science fiction and noir detective fiction Blade Runner (1982) was a box office and critical bust upon its initial exhibition but its unique postmodern production design became hugely influential within the sci-fi genre and the film gained a significant cult following that increased its stature. Harrison Ford stars as Rick Deckard a retired cop in Los Angeles circa 2019. L.A. has become a pan-cultural dystopia of corporate advertising pollution and flying automobiles as well as replicants human-like androids with short life spans built by the Tyrell Corporation for use in dangerous off-world colonization. Deckard's former job in the police department was as a talented blade runner a euphemism for detectives that hunt down and assassinate rogue replicants. Called before his one-time superior (M. Emmett Walsh) Deckard is forced back into active duty. A quartet of replicants led by Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) has escaped and headed to Earth killing several humans in the process. After meeting with the eccentric Eldon Tyrell (Joe Turkel) creator of the replicants Deckard finds and eliminates Zhora (Joanna Cassidy) one of his targets. Attacked by another replicant Leon (Brion James) Deckard is about to be killed when he's saved by Rachael (Sean Young) Tyrell's assistant and a replicant who's unaware of her true nature. In the meantime Batty and his replicant pleasure model lover Pris (Darryl Hannah) use a dying inventor J.F. Sebastian (William Sanderson) to get close to Tyrell and murder him. Deckard tracks the pair to Sebastian's where a bloody and violent final confrontation between Deckard and Batty takes place on a skyscraper rooftop high above the city. In 1992 Ridley Scott released a popular director's cut that removed Deckard's narration added a dream sequence and excised a happy ending imposed by the results of test screenings; these legendary behind-the-scenes battles were chronicled in a 1996 tome Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner by Paul M. Sammon.

A blend of science fiction and noir detective fiction , Blade Runner ( 1982 ) was a box office and critical bust upon its initial exhibition , but its unique postmodern production design became hugely influential within the sci - fi genre , and the film gained a significant cult following that increased its stature. Harrison Ford stars as Rick Deckard , a retired cop in Los Angeles circa 2019. L.A. has become a pan - cultural dystopia of corporate advertising , pollution and flying automobiles , as well as replicants , human - like androids with short life spans built by the Tyrell Corporation for use in dangerous off - world colonization. Deckard's former job in the police department was as a talented blade runner , a euphemism for detectives that hunt down and assassinate rogue replicants. Called before his one - time superior ( M. Emmett Walsh ), Deckard is forced back into active duty. A quartet of replicants led by Roy Batty ( Rutger Hauer ) has escaped and headed to Earth , killing several humans in the process. After meeting with the eccentric Eldon Tyrell ( Joe Turkel ), creator of the replicants , Deckard finds and eliminates Zhora ( Joanna Cassidy ), one of his targets. Attacked by another replicant , Leon ( Brion James ), Deckard is about to be killed when he's saved by Rachael ( Sean Young ), Tyrell's assistant and a replicant who's unaware of her true nature. In the meantime , Batty and his replicant pleasure model lover , Pris ( Darryl Hannah ) use a dying inventor , J.F. Sebastian ( William Sanderson ) to get close to Tyrell and murder him. Deckard tracks the pair to Sebastian's , where a bloody and violent final confrontation between Deckard and Batty takes place on a skyscraper rooftop high above the city. In 1992 , Ridley Scott released a popular director's cut that removed Deckard's narration , added a dream sequence , and excised a happy ending imposed by the results of test screenings ; these legendary behind - the - scenes battles were chronicled in a 1996 tome , Future Noir : The Making of Blade Runner by Paul M. Sammon .

One of the most influential examples of anime Akira is based on the manga (comic book) by Katsuhiro Otomo. The story is set in the post-apocalyptic community of Neo-Tokyo. Tetsuo is a fiercely individualistic member of a scroungy motorcycle gang. The despotic authorities the robot-like police and even the cycle gang pursue Tetsuo when he's bombarded with a new insidious energy source that has rendered him telekinetic. Budgeted at eight million dollars Akira has become a cult favorite in the States thanks to generous midnight-movie exposure and its availibilty on video and cable TV.

One of the most influential examples of anime , Akira is based on the manga ( comic book ) by Katsuhiro Otomo . The story is set in the post - apocalyptic community of Neo - Tokyo. Tetsuo is a fiercely individualistic member of a scroungy motorcycle gang. The despotic authorities , the robot - like police , and even the cycle gang pursue Tetsuo when he's bombarded with a new , insidious energy source that has rendered him telekinetic. Budgeted at eight million dollars , Akira has become a cult favorite in the States thanks to generous midnight - movie exposure and its availibilty on video and cable TV.

ased on a novel by Walter Tevis The Man Who Fell to Earth achieved cult film status for David Bowie's performance as Thomas Jerome Newton aka "Mr. Sussex" and the imagery of director Nicholas Roeg a former cinematographer. In this deeply allegorical science-fiction drama Newton is an alien from a planet that is dying for lack of water and he has been sent to earth to find a way to ship some of the earth's plentiful supply to his home planet. He arrives with a human-looking disguise his knowledge of unusual technologies his despair and little else. Using his knowledge he takes out patents on "his" inventions aided by patent lawyer Oliver Farnsworth (Buck Henry). He skillfully parlays the money from these inventions and becomes a financial/industrial tycoon. These inventions and others like them along with his political and financial power should make possible the transfer of water to his planet. But instead of pressing forward with plans to save his home planet he becomes enamored of Earth's low-down ways and of his strange passive relationship with his elevator-operator girlfriend Mary Lou (Candy Clark). Meanwhile his phenomenal rise from anonymity to power and his eccentric behavior spark the government's interest. Chemistry professor Nathan Bryce (Rip Torn) also comes calling fascinated by the alien's history. As gin and despair slowly cripple him he becomes consumed by memories of life on his doomed planet. The longer (140 minutes) and sexier British version of this film was toned down for its American release. Roeg whose work has received polarized responses also directed such distinctively stylized movies as Walkabout (1971) and Don't Look Now (1973).

Based on a novel by Walter Tevis , The Man Who Fell to Earth achieved cult film status for David Bowie 's performance as Thomas Jerome Newton , aka "Mr. Sussex , " and the imagery of director Nicholas Roeg , a former cinematographer. In this deeply allegorical science - fiction drama , Newton is an alien from a planet that is dying for lack of water , and he has been sent to earth to find a way to ship some of the earth's plentiful supply to his home planet. He arrives with a human - looking disguise , his knowledge of unusual technologies , his despair , and little else. Using his knowledge , he takes out patents on "his" inventions , aided by patent lawyer Oliver Farnsworth ( Buck Henry ) . He skillfully parlays the money from these inventions and becomes a financial / industrial tycoon. These inventions , and others like them , along with his political and financial power , should make possible the transfer of water to his planet. But instead of pressing forward with plans to save his home planet , he becomes enamored of Earth's low - down ways and of his strange , passive relationship with his elevator - operator girlfriend , Mary Lou ( Candy Clark ) . Meanwhile , his phenomenal rise from anonymity to power , and his eccentric behavior , spark the government's interest. Chemistry professor Nathan Bryce ( Rip Torn ) also comes calling , fascinated by the alien's history. As gin and despair slowly cripple him , he becomes consumed by memories of life on his doomed planet. The longer ( 140 minutes ) and sexier British version of this film was toned down for its American release. Roeg , whose work has received polarized responses , also directed such distinctively stylized movies as Walkabout ( 1971 ) and Don't Look Now ( 1973 ) .

Alex Proyas (The Crow) directed this noir-styled futuristic thriller scripted by Proyas Lem Dobbs (Kafka) and David S. Goyer (The Puppet Masters). Separated from his wife Emma (Jennifer Connelly) amnesiac John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell) awakens alone in a strange hotel to learn he is wanted for a series of brutal killings -- but he can't remember if he did or didn't commit these murders. Indeed most of his memories have completely vanished and he becomes the focus of interest for both mad genius Dr. Schreber (Kiefer Sutherland) and sympathetic detective Frank Bumstead (William Hurt). Attempting to unravel the twisted riddle of his identity Murdoch encounters a group of ominous beings known as the Strangers shadow-like figures who have a collective memory and possess the ability to stop time and alter physical reality through a process called The Tuning. Focusing their minds they are able to change the size and shape of the material world. Murdoch manages to stay a step ahead of his adversaries as he slowly jigsaws together the puzzle of his past-bittersweet memories of his childhood his love for Emma and the key to the murders -- while following a labyrinth leading to the Strangers' Underworld a set inspired by Fritz Lang's Metropolis. Rufus Sewell commented on the Underworld: "When Alex first sent me the sketches for that set I was more excited than I had been when I read the script. The Underworld was truly remarkable -- a little bit scary very thrilling and full of hundreds of bald people." At the Fox Film Studios in Sydney Australia where 50 sets were built three months were spent constructing the set for the Underworld the largest indoor set ever built in Australia. The production design by George Liddle (Rapa Nui) and Patrick Tatopoulos (Godzilla Space: Above and Beyond) is a composite of different styles and eras combining the look of 1940s Manhattan with German Expressionism. The music is by Trevor Jones (G.I. Jane). The film's dedication reads: "In Memory of Dennis Potter with gratitude and admiration."

Alex Proyas ( The Crow ) directed this noir - styled futuristic thriller , scripted by Proyas , Lem Dobbs ( Kafka ), and David S. Goyer ( The Puppet Masters ) . Separated from his wife Emma ( Jennifer Connelly ), amnesiac John Murdoch ( Rufus Sewell ) awakens alone in a strange hotel to learn he is wanted for a series of brutal killings -- but he can't remember if he did or didn't commit these murders. Indeed , most of his memories have completely vanished , and he becomes the focus of interest for both mad genius Dr. Schreber ( Kiefer Sutherland ) and sympathetic detective Frank Bumstead ( William Hurt ) . Attempting to unravel the twisted riddle of his identity , Murdoch encounters a group of ominous beings known as the Strangers , shadow - like figures who have a collective memory and possess the ability to stop time and alter physical reality through a process called The Tuning. Focusing their minds , they are able to change the size and shape of the material world. Murdoch manages to stay a step ahead of his adversaries as he slowly jigsaws together the puzzle of his past - bittersweet memories of his childhood , his love for Emma , and the key to the murders -- while following a labyrinth leading to the Strangers' Underworld , a set inspired by Fritz Lang 's Metropolis . Rufus Sewell commented on the Underworld : "When Alex first sent me the sketches for that set , I was more excited than I had been when I read the script. The Underworld was truly remarkable -- a little bit scary , very thrilling , and full of hundreds of bald people." At the Fox Film Studios in Sydney , Australia , where 50 sets were built , three months were spent constructing the set for the Underworld , the largest indoor set ever built in Australia. The production design by George Liddle ( Rapa Nui ) and Patrick Tatopoulos ( Godzilla , Space : Above and Beyond ) is a composite of different styles and eras , combining the look of 1940s Manhattan with German Expressionism. The music is by Trevor Jones ( G.I. Jane ) . The film's dedication reads : "In Memory of Dennis Potter with gratitude and admiration."

An intense film about time travel this sci-fi entry was directed by Terry Gilliam a member of the comedy troupe Monty Python. The film stars Bruce Willis as James Cole a prisoner of the state in the year 2035 who can earn parole if he agrees to travel back in time and thwart a devastating plague. The virus has wiped out most of the Earth's population and the remainder live underground because the air is poisonous. Returning to the year 1990 six years before the start of the plague Cole is soon imprisoned in a psychiatric facility because his warnings sound like mad ravings. There he meets a scientist named Dr. Kathryn Railly (Madeleine Stowe) and Jeffrey Goines (Brad Pitt) the mad son of an eminent virologist (Christopher Plummer). Cole is returned by the authorities to the year 2035 and finally ends up at his intended destination in 1996. He kidnaps Dr. Railly in order to enlist her help in his quest. Cole discovers graffiti by an apparent animal rights group called the Army of the Twelve Monkeys but as he delves into the mystery he hears voices loses his bearings and doubts his own sanity. He must figure out if Goines who seems to be a raving lunatic holds the key to the puzzle.

An intense film about time travel , this sci - fi entry was directed by Terry Gilliam , a member of the comedy troupe Monty Python . The film stars Bruce Willis as James Cole , a prisoner of the state in the year 2035 who can earn parole if he agrees to travel back in time and thwart a devastating plague. The virus has wiped out most of the Earth's population and the remainder live underground because the air is poisonous. Returning to the year 1990 , six years before the start of the plague , Cole is soon imprisoned in a psychiatric facility because his warnings sound like mad ravings. There he meets a scientist named Dr. Kathryn Railly ( Madeleine Stowe ) and Jeffrey Goines ( Brad Pitt ), the mad son of an eminent virologist ( Christopher Plummer ) . Cole is returned by the authorities to the year 2035 , and finally ends up at his intended destination in 1996. He kidnaps Dr. Railly in order to enlist her help in his quest. Cole discovers graffiti by an apparent animal rights group called the Army of the Twelve Monkeys , but as he delves into the mystery , he hears voices , loses his bearings , and doubts his own sanity. He must figure out if Goines , who seems to be a raving lunatic , holds the key to the puzzle.

Richard Donner's big-budget blockbuster Superman: The Movie is an immensely entertaining recounting of the origin of the famous comic book character. Opening on Krypton (where Marlon Brando plays Superman's father) the film follows the Man of Steel (Christopher Reeve) as he's sent to Earth where he develops his alter-ego Clark Kent and is raised by a Midwestern family. In no time the movie has run through his teenage years and Clark gets a job at the Daily Planet where he is a news reporter. It's there that he falls in love with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) who is already in love with Superman. But the love story is quickly sidetracked once the villainous Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) launches a diabolical plan to conquer the world and kill Superman. Superman: The Movie is filled with action special effects and a surprising amount of humor.

Richard Donner 's big - budget blockbuster Superman : The Movie is an immensely entertaining recounting of the origin of the famous comic book character. Opening on Krypton ( where Marlon Brando plays Superman's father ), the film follows the Man of Steel ( Christopher Reeve ) as he's sent to Earth where he develops his alter - ego Clark Kent and is raised by a Midwestern family. In no time , the movie has run through his teenage years , and Clark gets a job at the Daily Planet , where he is a news reporter. It's there that he falls in love with Lois Lane ( Margot Kidder ), who is already in love with Superman. But the love story is quickly sidetracked once the villainous Lex Luthor ( Gene Hackman ) launches a diabolical plan to conquer the world and kill Superman. Superman : The Movie is filled with action , special effects and a surprising amount of humor.

Unusual because it has no spoken dialogue Dernier Combat effectively chronicles the fate of a handful of people after a worldwide disaster has left the planet desolate and bleak and the people physically unable to speak. A young man (Pierre Jolivet) longs for female companionship and so he puts together a serviceable plane and flies to the remains of a city where survivors live in the ruined hulks of cars -- or wherever they can. The problem is that there are very few women to be found here as well. After the young man enters the city he comes across an older doctor who has returned to his psychiatric clinic and is barricaded there defending the clinic against the attacks of a violent barbarian intent on further destruction. This murderous aggressor is not only after the doctor but also a women who is hiding in the clinic -- and when the young man joins up with the doctor and sees the woman his future takes a new course. Le Dernier Combat (also known as The Last Battle) was the first feature-length film by a 24-year-old Luc Besson (The Big Blue La Femme Nikita The Fifth Element). The film won two major prizes at the 1983 Avoriaz Science Fiction Film Festival and collected more than 18 prizes at other international festivals -- though it was overlooked by France's Caesars and the U.S. Academy Awards.

Unusual because it has no spoken dialogue , Dernier Combat effectively chronicles the fate of a handful of people after a worldwide disaster has left the planet desolate and bleak and the people physically unable to speak. A young man ( Pierre Jolivet ) longs for female companionship and so he puts together a serviceable plane and flies to the remains of a city where survivors live in the ruined hulks of cars -- or wherever they can. The problem is that there are very few women to be found here as well. After the young man enters the city , he comes across an older doctor who has returned to his psychiatric clinic and is barricaded there , defending the clinic against the attacks of a violent barbarian intent on further destruction. This murderous aggressor is not only after the doctor but also a women who is hiding in the clinic -- and when the young man joins up with the doctor and sees the woman , his future takes a new course. Le Dernier Combat ( also known as The Last Battle ) was the first feature - length film by a 24 - year - old Luc Besson ( The Big Blue , La Femme Nikita , The Fifth Element ) . The film won two major prizes at the 1983 Avoriaz Science Fiction Film Festival , and collected more than 18 prizes at other international festivals -- though it was overlooked by France's Caesars and the U.S. Academy Awards.

First published in 1932 Philip Wylie and Edwin Balmer's speculative novel When Worlds Collide was immediately purchased by Paramount as a possible project for director Cecil B. DeMille. But because none of Paramount's scriptwriters were able to come up with an adequate screen treatment the property lay on the shelf until 1950 when producer George Pal was casting about for a follow-up to his successful sci-fier Destination Moon. Though the film was top-heavy with special effects Pal was able to bring When Worlds Collide in for under a million dollars thanks to an inexpensive cast and a heavy reliance upon stock footage. The story is set in motion when Dr. Cole Henderson (Larry Keating) announces that a extraterrestrial planet is on a collision course with the Earth. No one believes Henderson's story save for crippled financier Stanton (John Hoyt) who finances the construction of a gigantic spaceship built for the purpose of transporting selected survivors from the doomed Earth to another Earthlike planet. As it becomes obvious that Henderson's predictions will come true a worldwide lottery is held to select those people who will be rescued from oblivion by Stanton's spaceship. In the climactic scenes the worlds do indeed collide with appropriately spectacular results. But will the spaceship overloaded with humanity be able to take off and seek out a Brave New World? Amidst the thrills a romantic triangle emerges involving Richard Derr Barbara Rush and Peter Hanson.

First published in 1932 , Philip Wylie and Edwin Balmer 's speculative novel When Worlds Collide was immediately purchased by Paramount as a possible project for director Cecil B. DeMille . But because none of Paramount's scriptwriters were able to come up with an adequate screen treatment , the property lay on the shelf until 1950 , when producer George Pal was casting about for a follow - up to his successful sci - fier Destination Moon . Though the film was top - heavy with special effects , Pal was able to bring When Worlds Collide in for under a million dollars , thanks to an inexpensive cast and a heavy reliance upon stock footage. The story is set in motion when Dr. Cole Henderson ( Larry Keating ) announces that a extraterrestrial planet is on a collision course with the Earth. No one believes Henderson's story , save for crippled financier Stanton ( John Hoyt ), who finances the construction of a gigantic spaceship , built for the purpose of transporting selected survivors from the doomed Earth to another Earthlike planet. As it becomes obvious that Henderson's predictions will come true , a worldwide lottery is held to select those people who will be rescued from oblivion by Stanton's spaceship. In the climactic scenes , the worlds do indeed collide , with appropriately spectacular results. But will the spaceship , overloaded with humanity , be able to take off and seek out a Brave New World? Amidst the thrills , a romantic triangle emerges , involving Richard Derr , Barbara Rush and Peter Hanson .

Welcome to Westworld where nothing can go wrong...go wrong...go wrong....Writer/director Michael Crichton has concocted a futuristic "Disneyland for adults" a remote resort island where for a hefty fee one can indulge in one's wildest fantasies. Businessmen James Brolin and Richard Benjamin are just crazy about the old west thus they head to the section of Westworld populated by robot desperadoes robot lawmen robot dance-hall gals and the like. Benjamin's first inkling that something is amiss occurs when during a mock showdown with robot gunslinger Yul Brynner Brolin is shot and killed for real. It seems that the "nerve center" of Westworld has developed several serious technical glitches: the human staff is dead and the robots are running amok. Suddenly promoted to the film's hero Benjamin (who seems as surprised and shocked as the audience) must first avoid then face down the relentless Brynner. Much of Westworld was lensed on the expansive grounds of the old Harold Lloyd estate in Beverly Hills so it's no surprise that there's something Lloydlike about Dick Benjamin's instinct for self-preservation.

Welcome to Westworld , where nothing can go wrong...go wrong...go wrong....Writer / director Michael Crichton has concocted a futuristic "Disneyland for adults" , a remote resort island where , for a hefty fee , one can indulge in one's wildest fantasies. Businessmen James Brolin and Richard Benjamin are just crazy about the old west , thus they head to the section of Westworld populated by robot desperadoes , robot lawmen , robot dance - hall gals , and the like. Benjamin's first inkling that something is amiss occurs when , during a mock showdown with robot gunslinger Yul Brynner , Brolin is shot and killed for real. It seems that the "nerve center" of Westworld has developed several serious technical glitches : the human staff is dead , and the robots are running amok. Suddenly promoted to the film's hero , Benjamin ( who seems as surprised and shocked as the audience ) must first avoid , then face down the relentless Brynner. Much of Westworld was lensed on the expansive grounds of the old Harold Lloyd estate in Beverly Hills , so it's no surprise that there's something Lloydlike about Dick Benjamin's instinct for self - preservation.

etween giving up his super powers confronting criminals from outer space and having problems with his girlfriend it's a bad time to be the Man of Steel in this sequel to the 1978 blockbuster. When terrorists threaten to destroy Paris with a thermonuclear device as they hold reporter Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) hostage Superman (Christopher Reeve) comes to the rescue and flings the weapon into space. However its blast outside the earth's orbit awakens Zod (Terence Stamp) Ursa (Sarah Douglas) and Non (Jack O'Halloran) three villains from Superman's home planet of Krypton who were exiled to outer space for their crimes. Zod and his partners arrive on Earth and use their powers in a bid to take over the U.S. and then the world. However when Lois realizes that mild mannered Clark Kent and Superman are actually the same person he brings her to his Fortress of Solitude where his decision to marry Lois costs him his remarkable strength. Without his super powers how can Superman vanquish Zod and save the world? Gene Hackman Ned Beatty Susannah York and Jackie Cooper return from the first film which was shot at the same time as parts of the sequel.

Between giving up his super powers , confronting criminals from outer space , and having problems with his girlfriend , it's a bad time to be the Man of Steel in this sequel to the 1978 blockbuster. When terrorists threaten to destroy Paris with a thermonuclear device as they hold reporter Lois Lane ( Margot Kidder ) hostage , Superman ( Christopher Reeve ) comes to the rescue and flings the weapon into space. However , its blast outside the earth's orbit awakens Zod ( Terence Stamp ), Ursa ( Sarah Douglas ), and Non ( Jack O'Halloran ), three villains from Superman's home planet of Krypton who were exiled to outer space for their crimes. Zod and his partners arrive on Earth and use their powers in a bid to take over the U.S. , and then the world. However , when Lois realizes that mild mannered Clark Kent and Superman are actually the same person , he brings her to his Fortress of Solitude , where his decision to marry Lois costs him his remarkable strength. Without his super powers , how can Superman vanquish Zod and save the world? Gene Hackman , Ned Beatty , Susannah York , and Jackie Cooper return from the first film , which was shot at the same time as parts of the sequel.

Having crashed to Earth an extraterrestrial space traveller must assume a human identity lest he be captured by the authorities. The alien (Jeff Bridges) chooses the likeness of the recently deceased husband of Jenny Hayden (Karen Allen). At first dumbstruck Jenny becomes both hostile toward and frightened of her guest. He gradually wins her confidence learning a few vital English-language phrases so that he can explain his presence. The "starman" has come to Earth with a message of peace in response to the similar message sent out on Voyager One. He asks for Jenny's help in transporting him to the Nevada desert where his fellow aliens are to pick him up and take him to his home planet. Soon he and Jenny form a united front against a mean-spirited National Security Council agent (Richard Jaeckel) who intends to seize the starman and turn him over for scientific scrutiny (and possible extermination). While en route to Nevada Jenny grows closer to the gentle-natured Starman eventually making love with him. By the time he is poised to leave she is carrying his child leaving the field wide open for a sequel--which was never produced though a weekly TV version surfaced in 1986.

Having crashed to Earth , an extraterrestrial space traveller must assume a human identity lest he be captured by the authorities. The alien ( Jeff Bridges ) chooses the likeness of the recently deceased husband of Jenny Hayden ( Karen Allen ) . At first dumbstruck , Jenny becomes both hostile toward and frightened of her guest. He gradually wins her confidence , learning a few vital English - language phrases so that he can explain his presence. The "starman" has come to Earth with a message of peace , in response to the similar message sent out on Voyager One. He asks for Jenny's help in transporting him to the Nevada desert , where his fellow aliens are to pick him up and take him to his home planet. Soon he and Jenny form a united front against a mean - spirited National Security Council agent ( Richard Jaeckel ), who intends to seize the starman and turn him over for scientific scrutiny ( and possible extermination ) . While en route to Nevada , Jenny grows closer to the gentle - natured Starman , eventually making love with him. By the time he is poised to leave , she is carrying his child , leaving the field wide open for a sequel -- which was never produced , though a weekly TV version surfaced in 1986.

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) concludes the story arc begun with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) and continued in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) but on a wholly new different and upbeat note. As the movie opens months have elapsed since the events in Star Trek III; Admiral Kirk (William Shatner) McCoy (DeForest Kelley) Scott (James Doohan) Sulu (George Takei) Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) and Chekhov (Walter Koenig) are marooned in self-imposed exile on Vulcan along with the resurrected and regenerated Spock (Leonard Nimoy who also directed). While Spock tries to sort out the Vulcan and human halves of his resurrected psyche the others prepare to return to Earth to face a brace of charges by the Klingon Empire and Star Fleet over events on Genesis. Taking off in their commandeered jerry-rigged Klingon ship they head to Earth not knowing that a new crisis could destroy their home world -- a huge immensely powerful alien probe has entered the galaxy and established a position near Earth disabling every vehicle and installation in its path with its energy and communication output and has ionized the entire atmosphere and started vaporizing the oceans leaving the planet only hours to survive. Spock determines that the probe is sending out signals to another intelligent terrestrial life form humpbacked whales which no longer exist. Using the gravity slingshot time-warp effect (established early in the original series) to travel back into Earth's 20th century Kirk and company land in 1980s San Francisco to try and bring humpbacked whales to the 23rd century to respond to the probe. Thus starts a surprisingly breezy light-hearted yet serious odyssey through the past (comparable to the best work of the original series) as the crew learns to deal with exact-change buses angry drivers punk-rock enthusiasts and other elements of '80s life and Kirk tries to persuade a scientist (Catherine Hicks) of his good intentions for two whales in captivity. The screenplay co-authored by Steve Meerson Peter Krikes Nicholas Meyer and Harve Bennett (from a story by Nimoy and Bennett) is the cleverest and most sophisticated of all the Star Trek movie screenplays recalling some of the elements of Meyer's earlier time-travel movie Time After Time and also anticipating the feel and tone of the series Star Trek: The Next Generation (which would be on the air not quite a year later). Nimoy's direction offers a combination of brisk pacing and a deep love of the characters and the actors as well as a serious appreciation of the humorous aspects of the script and Shatner gives his best performance of any of the movies.

Star Trek IV : The Voyage Home ( 1986 ) concludes the story arc begun with Star Trek II : The Wrath of Khan ( 1982 ) and continued in Star Trek III : The Search for Spock ( 1984 ), but on a wholly new , different , and upbeat note. As the movie opens , months have elapsed since the events in Star Trek III ; Admiral Kirk ( William Shatner ), McCoy ( DeForest Kelley ), Scott ( James Doohan ), Sulu ( George Takei ), Uhura ( Nichelle Nichols ), and Chekhov ( Walter Koenig ) are marooned in self - imposed exile on Vulcan , along with the resurrected and regenerated Spock ( Leonard Nimoy , who also directed ) . While Spock tries to sort out the Vulcan and human halves of his resurrected psyche , the others prepare to return to Earth to face a brace of charges by the Klingon Empire and Star Fleet over events on Genesis. Taking off in their commandeered , jerry - rigged Klingon ship , they head to Earth , not knowing that a new crisis could destroy their home world -- a huge , immensely powerful alien probe has entered the galaxy and established a position near Earth , disabling every vehicle and installation in its path with its energy and communication output , and has ionized the entire atmosphere and started vaporizing the oceans , leaving the planet only hours to survive. Spock determines that the probe is sending out signals to another intelligent terrestrial life form , humpbacked whales , which no longer exist. Using the gravity slingshot time - warp effect ( established early in the original series ) to travel back into Earth's 20th century , Kirk and company land in 1980s San Francisco to try and bring humpbacked whales to the 23rd century , to respond to the probe. Thus starts a surprisingly breezy , light - hearted , yet serious odyssey through the past ( comparable to the best work of the original series ), as the crew learns to deal with exact - change buses , angry drivers , punk - rock enthusiasts and other elements of '80s life , and Kirk tries to persuade a scientist ( Catherine Hicks ) of his good intentions for two whales in captivity. The screenplay , co - authored by Steve Meerson , Peter Krikes , Nicholas Meyer , and Harve Bennett ( from a story by Nimoy and Bennett ), is the cleverest and most sophisticated of all the Star Trek movie screenplays , recalling some of the elements of Meyer 's earlier time - travel movie Time After Time and also anticipating the feel and tone of the series Star Trek : The Next Generation ( which would be on the air not quite a year later ) . Nimoy 's direction offers a combination of brisk pacing and a deep love of the characters and the actors , as well as a serious appreciation of the humorous aspects of the script , and Shatner gives his best performance of any of the movies.

"Billy Pilgrim has come unstuck in time." These opening words of Kurt Vonnegut's famous novel make an effective and short summary of a haunting funny film. For the screen director George Roy Hill faithfully renders Vonnegut's black anti-war comedy about Pilgrim (well played in a low key by Michael Sacks) who survives the horrendous 1945 fire bombing of Dresden then lives simultaneously in his past as a naïve American POW and in the future as a well-cared-for zoo resident on the planet Tralfamadore (with zaftig Valerie Perrine as his mate). In the present he's a middle-aged optometrist in Ilium NY. If this sounds like a bit of a jumble -- it is. But viewers willing to watch carefully will find the movie as intricate and harmonious as Glenn Gould's plaintive renderings of the Bach keyboard pieces that decorate its soundtrack. It's not essential but fans who read the short poetic book will find it a treat in itself and it will help them appreciate Hill's genius in bringing this "Children's Crusade" to the screen. In addition to Sacks there are noteworthy performances by Ron Leibman (Norma's union man in Norma Rae) as Pilgrim's crazed nemesis and by radio/TV/movie legend John Dehner as the arrogant Professor Rumfoord. Hill of course came to this film from a big hit Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and went on to triumph with The Sting one year later. The elaborate medieval and baroque architecture of pre-bombing Dresden was represented authentically in the film by scenes from Prague since much of Dresden's architecture was lost to the bombing and that city in any case was deep in East Germany thus inaccessible at the time of filming.

"Billy Pilgrim has come unstuck in time." These opening words of Kurt Vonnegut 's famous novel make an effective and short summary of a haunting , funny film. For the screen , director George Roy Hill faithfully renders Vonnegut 's black anti - war comedy about Pilgrim ( well played in a low key by Michael Sacks ), who survives the horrendous 1945 fire bombing of Dresden then lives simultaneously in his past as a naïve American POW and in the future as a well - cared - for zoo resident on the planet Tralfamadore ( with zaftig Valerie Perrine as his mate ) . In the present , he's a middle - aged optometrist in Ilium , NY. If this sounds like a bit of a jumble -- it is. But viewers willing to watch carefully will find the movie as intricate and harmonious as Glenn Gould 's plaintive renderings of the Bach keyboard pieces that decorate its soundtrack. It's not essential , but fans who read the short , poetic book will find it a treat in itself , and it will help them appreciate Hill 's genius in bringing this "Children's Crusade" to the screen. In addition to Sacks , there are noteworthy performances by Ron Leibman ( Norma's union man in Norma Rae ) as Pilgrim's crazed nemesis and by radio / TV / movie legend , John Dehner as the arrogant Professor Rumfoord. Hill , of course , came to this film from a big hit , Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid , and went on to triumph with The Sting one year later. The elaborate medieval and baroque architecture of pre - bombing Dresden was represented authentically in the film by scenes from Prague , since much of Dresden's architecture was lost to the bombing , and that city , in any case , was deep in East Germany , thus inaccessible at the time of filming.

In the final episode of the Star Wars saga Han Solo (Harrison Ford) emerges intact from the carbonite casing in which he'd been sealed in The Empire Strikes Back. The bad news is that Solo together with Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) is prisoner to the grotesque Jabba the Hutt. But with the help of the charismatic Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) our heroes and our heroine manage to escape. The next task is to rid the galaxy of Darth Vader (body by David Prowse voice by James Earl Jones) and the Emperor (Ian McDiarmid) now in command of a new under-construction Death Star. On the forest moon Endor the good guys enlist the help of a feisty bunch of bear-like creatures called the Ewoks in their battle against the Empire.

In the final episode of the Star Wars saga , Han Solo ( Harrison Ford ) emerges intact from the carbonite casing in which he'd been sealed in The Empire Strikes Back . The bad news is that Solo , together with Luke Skywalker ( Mark Hamill ) and Princess Leia ( Carrie Fisher ), is prisoner to the grotesque Jabba the Hutt. But with the help of the charismatic Lando Calrissian ( Billy Dee Williams ), our heroes and our heroine manage to escape. The next task is to rid the galaxy of Darth Vader ( body by David Prowse , voice by James Earl Jones ) and the Emperor ( Ian McDiarmid ), now in command of a new , under - construction Death Star . On the forest moon Endor , the good guys enlist the help of a feisty bunch of bear - like creatures called the Ewoks in their battle against the Empire.

This second film adaptation of Richard Matheson's science-fiction novel I Am Legend (the first version being The Last Man on Earth with Vincent Price) unfolds in a post-apocalyptic 1976. Charlton Heston is Robert Neville the sole recipient of a serum that enabled him to survive an onslaught of germ warfare between Russia and China - which seemingly rendered him the last (normal) human alive. Neville lives in a garish antique-strewn L.A. penthouse. During the day he roams through the vacant city. At night he fends off a bloodthirsty horde of mutant scavengers garbed in Spanish inquisition robes and sunglasses led by Matthias (Anthony Zerbe) a former television newscaster in his good ol' pre-mutant days. Matthias and his half-human vampires want to kill Neville. Neville's last man on earth status is shattered when he comes across a group of young people presided over by the sexy and cynical Lisa (Rosalind Cash). Neville begins to form an interest in her as the two try to keep Matthias and his minions at bay. The Omega Man was filmed in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday afternoons an area that consists almost exclusively of office buildings and therefore was suitably vacant at the the time of production. In 2007 Matheson's novel received yet another incarnation - this one with Will Smith in the Heston role.

This second film adaptation of Richard Matheson's science - fiction novel I Am Legend ( the first version being The Last Man on Earth with Vincent Price ) unfolds in a post - apocalyptic 1976. Charlton Heston is Robert Neville , the sole recipient of a serum that enabled him to survive an onslaught of germ warfare between Russia and China - which seemingly rendered him the last ( normal ) human alive. Neville lives in a garish , antique - strewn L.A. penthouse. During the day , he roams through the vacant city. At night , he fends off a bloodthirsty horde of mutant scavengers garbed in Spanish inquisition robes and sunglasses , led by Matthias ( Anthony Zerbe ), a former television newscaster in his good ol' pre - mutant days. Matthias and his half - human vampires want to kill Neville. Neville's last man on earth status is shattered when he comes across a group of young people , presided over by the sexy and cynical Lisa ( Rosalind Cash ) . Neville begins to form an interest in her , as the two try to keep Matthias and his minions at bay. The Omega Man was filmed in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday afternoons , an area that consists almost exclusively of office buildings , and therefore was suitably vacant at the the time of production. In 2007 , Matheson 's novel received yet another incarnation - this one with Will Smith in the Heston role.

Steven Spielberg's phenomenally successful sci-fi adventure thriller is graced by state-of-the-art special effects from the team of Stan Winston Phil Tippett and Michael Lantieri from George Lucas's Industrial Light & Magic. The film follows two dinosaur experts -- Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and Dr. Ellie Sattler Laura Dern) -- as they are invited by eccentric millionaire John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) to preview his new amusement park on an island off Costa Rica. By cloning DNA harvested from pre-historic insects Hammond has been able to create living dinosaurs for his new Jurassic Park an immense animal preserve housing real brachiosaurs dilophosaurs triceratops velociraptors and a Tyrannosaur Rex. Accompanied by cynical scientist Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) who is obsessed with chaos theory and Hammond's two grandchildren (Ariana Richards and Joseph Mazzello) they are sent on a tour through Hammond's new resort in computer controlled touring cars. But as a tropical storm hits the island knocking out the power supply and an unscrupulous employee (Wayne Knight) sabotages the system so that he can smuggle dinosaur embryos out of the park the dinosaurs start to rage out of control. Grant then has to bring Hammond's grandchildren back to safety as the group is pursued by the gigantic man-eating beasts.

Steven Spielberg 's phenomenally successful sci - fi adventure thriller is graced by state - of - the - art special effects from the team of Stan Winston , Phil Tippett and Michael Lantieri from George Lucas 's Industrial Light & Magic. The film follows two dinosaur experts -- Dr. Alan Grant ( Sam Neill ) and Dr. Ellie Sattler Laura Dern ) -- as they are invited by eccentric millionaire John Hammond ( Richard Attenborough ) to preview his new amusement park on an island off Costa Rica. By cloning DNA harvested from pre - historic insects , Hammond has been able to create living dinosaurs for his new Jurassic Park , an immense animal preserve housing real brachiosaurs , dilophosaurs , triceratops , velociraptors , and a Tyrannosaur Rex. Accompanied by cynical scientist Ian Malcolm ( Jeff Goldblum ), who is obsessed with chaos theory , and Hammond's two grandchildren ( Ariana Richards and Joseph Mazzello ), they are sent on a tour through Hammond's new resort in computer controlled touring cars. But as a tropical storm hits the island , knocking out the power supply , and an unscrupulous employee ( Wayne Knight ) sabotages the system so that he can smuggle dinosaur embryos out of the park , the dinosaurs start to rage out of control. Grant then has to bring Hammond's grandchildren back to safety as the group is pursued by the gigantic man - eating beasts.

The year is 1997. Manhattan Island is now a heavily guarded maximum-security prison where the scum of the earth have converged. When Air Force One crash-lands in Manhattan the president (Donald Pleasence) is held hostage by its denizens. One-eyed mercenary Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) is strong-armed into rescuing the chief executive. He is aided not always willingly by a tough gal (Adrienne Barbeau) and a manic cab driver (Ernest Borgnine). Escape from New York was followed by a sequel of sorts in 1996 Escape From L.A. again starring Kurt Russell.

The year is 1997. Manhattan Island is now a heavily guarded maximum - security prison , where the scum of the earth have converged. When Air Force One crash - lands in Manhattan , the president ( Donald Pleasence ) is held hostage by its denizens. One - eyed mercenary Snake Plissken ( Kurt Russell ) is strong - armed into rescuing the chief executive. He is aided , not always willingly , by a tough gal ( Adrienne Barbeau ) and a manic cab driver ( Ernest Borgnine ) . Escape from New York was followed by a sequel of sorts in 1996 , Escape From L.A. , again starring Kurt Russell .

Cult hero Paul Bartel directed this low-budget satire in which America's passion for cars violence and sporting events are finally brought together in one convenient package. In the not-so-distant future the United States has become a totalitarian regime overseen by the charming but sinister Mr. President (Sandy McCallum) who in order to satisfy the masses' need for entertainment (and to quench their thirst for violence) has created a new national sport -- the Death Race a nationwide road rally in which the winner is not determined by who finishes first but by who scores the most points along the way by running over hapless pedestrians. Aspiring champions Machine Gun Joe Viterbo (Sylvester Stallone) Calamity Jane (Mary Woronov) Nero the Hero (Martin Kove) and Matilda the Hun (Roberta Collins) are all looking to take the top honors away from Frankenstein (David Carradine) a half-man/half-machine who has been built to be the best racer on Earth and can outrun and outkill anyone on the circuit. However not everyone likes the Death Race and revolutionary leader Thomasina Paine (Harriet Medin) wants to sabotage the event in the name of restoring democracy; her plan is to foil Frankenstein's expected victory by smuggling her daughter Annie (Simone Griffeth) into Frankenstein's race car as his navigator. Featuring David Carradine at the height of his Kung Fu fame (and Sylvester Stallone a year before Rocky) Death Race 2000 was a major drive-in hit in 1975; Bartel and Carradine teamed up for another road race movie Cannonball a year later and a semi-sequel Death Sport appeared in 1978.

Cult hero Paul Bartel directed this low - budget satire in which America's passion for cars , violence , and sporting events are finally brought together in one convenient package. In the not - so - distant future , the United States has become a totalitarian regime overseen by the charming but sinister Mr. President ( Sandy McCallum ), who , in order to satisfy the masses' need for entertainment ( and to quench their thirst for violence ), has created a new national sport -- the Death Race , a nationwide road rally in which the winner is not determined by who finishes first , but by who scores the most points along the way by running over hapless pedestrians. Aspiring champions Machine Gun Joe Viterbo ( Sylvester Stallone ), Calamity Jane ( Mary Woronov ), Nero the Hero ( Martin Kove ), and Matilda the Hun ( Roberta Collins ) are all looking to take the top honors away from Frankenstein ( David Carradine ), a half - man / half - machine who has been built to be the best racer on Earth and can outrun and outkill anyone on the circuit. However , not everyone likes the Death Race , and revolutionary leader Thomasina Paine ( Harriet Medin ) wants to sabotage the event in the name of restoring democracy ; her plan is to foil Frankenstein's expected victory by smuggling her daughter Annie ( Simone Griffeth ) into Frankenstein's race car as his navigator. Featuring David Carradine at the height of his Kung Fu fame ( and Sylvester Stallone a year before Rocky ), Death Race 2000 was a major drive - in hit in 1975 ; Bartel and Carradine teamed up for another road race movie , Cannonball , a year later , and a semi - sequel , Death Sport , appeared in 1978.

Cocoon is a warm-hearted science-fiction fable that avoids becoming overly corny thanks to the performances of its mostly senior cast. Wilford Brimley Don Ameche and Hume Cronyn are three old-timers who sneak out of their retirement home a few days a week to swim in the large pool on an abandoned estate next door. When the threesome begins to feel curiously younger they discover strange pods on the floor of the pool. These pods are alien cocoons which are being pulled from the ocean by a team of extra-terrestrials in human form led by Walter (Brian Dennehy) who has hired a local charter operator (Steve Guttenberg) to assist him. Walter explains to the seniors that energy from the cocoons is restoring youth and vigor to the older men every time they go for a dip. The aliens agree to let the men continue to swim in secret but of course they can't keep their discovery to themselves. Soon the pool is swarming with retirees with the notable exception of Bernie (Jack Gilford) who has no interest in prolonging life any longer than necessary. The aliens ultimately prepare to return home and offer the retirees eternal life if they leave Earth behind as well. Director Ron Howard treats his old-timers with care and dignity and they respond with deeply sympathetic performances (Ameche won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar); the film's science-fiction trappings ably sustain the story's all-too-human ruminations on youth aging life and death.

Cocoon is a warm - hearted science - fiction fable that avoids becoming overly corny thanks to the performances of its mostly senior cast. Wilford Brimley , Don Ameche , and Hume Cronyn are three old - timers who sneak out of their retirement home a few days a week to swim in the large pool on an abandoned estate next door. When the threesome begins to feel curiously younger , they discover strange pods on the floor of the pool. These pods are alien cocoons , which are being pulled from the ocean by a team of extra - terrestrials in human form led by Walter ( Brian Dennehy ), who has hired a local charter operator ( Steve Guttenberg ) to assist him. Walter explains to the seniors that energy from the cocoons is restoring youth and vigor to the older men every time they go for a dip. The aliens agree to let the men continue to swim in secret , but of course they can't keep their discovery to themselves. Soon the pool is swarming with retirees , with the notable exception of Bernie ( Jack Gilford ), who has no interest in prolonging life any longer than necessary. The aliens ultimately prepare to return home and offer the retirees eternal life if they leave Earth behind as well. Director Ron Howard treats his old - timers with care and dignity , and they respond with deeply sympathetic performances ( Ameche won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar ); the film's science - fiction trappings ably sustain the story's all - too - human ruminations on youth , aging , life , and death.

The "Andromeda Strain" is a deadly extraterrestrial virus. It is brought to Earth when a research satellite crashes near a tiny Arizona town. Everyone in the community dies within days except for a baby and an "insulated" drunkard. Recruited from labs all over North America doctors Charles Dutton (David Wayne) Jeremy Stone (Arthur Hill) Ruth Leavitt (Kate Reid) and Mark Hall (James Olson) don radiation suits and race against time to isolate and destroy the virus. The film is based on a novel by Michael Crichton.

The "Andromeda Strain" is a deadly extraterrestrial virus. It is brought to Earth when a research satellite crashes near a tiny Arizona town. Everyone in the community dies within days , except for a baby and an "insulated" drunkard. Recruited from labs all over North America , doctors Charles Dutton ( David Wayne ), Jeremy Stone ( Arthur Hill ), Ruth Leavitt ( Kate Reid ), and Mark Hall ( James Olson ) don radiation suits and race against time to isolate and destroy the virus. The film is based on a novel by Michael Crichton .

Directed by British filmmaker Michael Radford Nineteen Eighty-Four is the second film adaptation of the George Orwell novel. The film is set during April of 1984 in post-atomic war London the capital city of the repressive totalitarian state of Oceania. Winston Smith (John Hurt) is a government bureaucrat whose job is rewriting history and erasing people from existence. While his co-worker Parsons (Gregor Fisher) seems content to follow the state's laws Winston starts to write in a secret diary despite the fact the "Big Brother" is watching everyone at all times by way of monitors. He silently suffers and tries to comprehend his oppression which forbids individual human behaviors such as free thinking and sex. He meets Julia (Suzanna Hamilton) who works for the Ministry of Truth and they engage in a stoic love affair. They are soon found out and Winston is interrogated and tortured by his former friend O'Brien (Richard Burton in his final film appearance).

Directed by British filmmaker Michael Radford , Nineteen Eighty - Four is the second film adaptation of the George Orwell novel. The film is set during April of 1984 in post - atomic war London , the capital city of the repressive totalitarian state of Oceania. Winston Smith ( John Hurt ) is a government bureaucrat whose job is rewriting history and erasing people from existence. While his co - worker Parsons ( Gregor Fisher ) seems content to follow the state's laws , Winston starts to write in a secret diary despite the fact the "Big Brother" is watching everyone at all times by way of monitors. He silently suffers and tries to comprehend his oppression , which forbids individual human behaviors such as free thinking and sex. He meets Julia ( Suzanna Hamilton ), who works for the Ministry of Truth , and they engage in a stoic love affair. They are soon found out , and Winston is interrogated and tortured by his former friend O'Brien ( Richard Burton in his final film appearance ) .

ased on the 1969 short story Super-Toys Last All Summer Long by Brian Aldiss this science fiction fantasy bears similarities to Pinocchio (1940) and originated as a long-gestating project of director Stanley Kubrick that passed to his friend Steven Spielberg after Kubrick's death. Haley Joel Osment stars as David a "mecha" or robot of the future when the polar ice caps have melted and submerged many coastal cities causing worldwide starvation and human dependence upon robotic assistance. The first mecha designed to experience love David is the "son" of Henry (Sam Robards) an employee of the company that built the boy and the grief-stricken Monica (Frances O'Connor). David is meant to replace the couple's hopelessly comatose son but when their natural child recovers David is abandoned and sets out to become "a real boy" worthy of his mother's affection. Along the way David is mentored by a pleasure-providing mecha named Gigolo Joe (Jude Law) and a talking "super toy" bear named Teddy. His adventures take him to the Roman Circus-style "Flesh Fair" where mechas are destroyed for the amusement of humans; Rouge City where Gigolo Joe narrowly avoids capture by police; and finally a submerged New York City where David's creator Professor Hobby (William Hurt) reveals the secrets of the boy's creation. Brendan Gleeson and narrator Ben Kingsley co-star in A.I. which was adapted from Kubrick's treatment by Spielberg in his first crack at screenwriting since Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977).

Based on the 1969 short story Super - Toys Last All Summer Long , by Brian Aldiss , this science fiction fantasy bears similarities to Pinocchio ( 1940 ) and originated as a long - gestating project of director Stanley Kubrick that passed to his friend Steven Spielberg after Kubrick 's death. Haley Joel Osment stars as David , a "mecha" or robot of the future , when the polar ice caps have melted and submerged many coastal cities , causing worldwide starvation and human dependence upon robotic assistance. The first mecha designed to experience love , David is the "son" of Henry ( Sam Robards ), an employee of the company that built the boy , and the grief - stricken Monica ( Frances O'Connor ) . David is meant to replace the couple's hopelessly comatose son , but when their natural child recovers , David is abandoned and sets out to become "a real boy" worthy of his mother's affection. Along the way , David is mentored by a pleasure - providing mecha named Gigolo Joe ( Jude Law ) and a talking "super toy" bear named Teddy. His adventures take him to the Roman Circus - style "Flesh Fair , " where mechas are destroyed for the amusement of humans ; Rouge City , where Gigolo Joe narrowly avoids capture by police ; and finally a submerged New York City , where David's creator , Professor Hobby ( William Hurt ) reveals the secrets of the boy's creation. Brendan Gleeson and narrator Ben Kingsley co - star in A.I. , which was adapted from Kubrick 's treatment by Spielberg , in his first crack at screenwriting since Close Encounters of the Third Kind ( 1977 ) .

In this science fiction thriller a spaceship is transporting a disparate group of people to a far-away galactic outpost called New Mecca. Mechanical failures cause the craft to crash-land on an abandoned planet that has three suns and no night. The only member of the crew to survive is junior pilot Carolyn Fry (Radha Mitchell) while the passengers who climb from the wreckage include a police officer (Cole Hauser) and the prisoner he's transporting Riddick (Vin Diesel). As Fry and the other survivors survey the abandoned dwellings of the desert world while trying to decide what to do next one of them is killed by a mutant creature living in an abandoned mining site. The vicious and bloodthirsty mutants who live underground have killed all previous inhabitants of the planet; they cannot stand sunlight but research reveals that the planet has a total eclipse every 22 years and the latest one is due any moment. Pitch Black was directed by David N. Twohy who also made the sci-fi cult item The Arrival.

In this science fiction thriller , a spaceship is transporting a disparate group of people to a far - away galactic outpost called New Mecca. Mechanical failures cause the craft to crash - land on an abandoned planet that has three suns and no night. The only member of the crew to survive is junior pilot Carolyn Fry ( Radha Mitchell ), while the passengers who climb from the wreckage include a police officer ( Cole Hauser ) and the prisoner he's transporting , Riddick ( Vin Diesel ) . As Fry and the other survivors survey the abandoned dwellings of the desert world while trying to decide what to do next , one of them is killed by a mutant creature living in an abandoned mining site. The vicious and bloodthirsty mutants , who live underground , have killed all previous inhabitants of the planet ; they cannot stand sunlight , but research reveals that the planet has a total eclipse every 22 years , and the latest one is due any moment. Pitch Black was directed by David N. Twohy , who also made the sci - fi cult item , The Arrival .

New Zealand screenwriter Andrew Niccol (The Truman Show) made his feature directorial debut with this science fiction drama set in a future when one's life is determined by genetic engineering rather than education or experience. The wealthy can choose the genetic makeup of their descendants. People are designed to fit into whatever role is decided before birth. But what happens when someone desires another way of life? Citizens in this impersonal future-world are fashioned as perfect specimens so those in the natural-born minority are viewed as inferior to the pre-planned perfect specimens (aka "Valids") who dominate. One of the natural-borns (aka "In-Valids") Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke) has several defects (poor vision emotional problems and short 30-year life expectancy) but he also develops a different outlook on his pre-ordained fate. He yearns to break free from society's constraints and he dreams of a journey into space as a Gattaca Corp. navigator. To accomplish his goal he enlists the aid of DNA broker German (Tony Shalhoub) and makes contact with Jerome Morrow (Jude Law) who was paralyzed in an accident and is willing to sell his superior genetic materials. Vincent assumes Jerome's identity and is scheduled for a flying mission. However a week before his flight a Gattaca mission director is murdered and all members of the program are the suspects. Meanwhile he develops a romantic interest in a beautiful Valid Irene (Uma Thurman) prevented from going into space because of her heart defect. Tracked by a relentless investigator who is methodically jigsawing all the pieces together Jerome finds his aspirations dissolving into stardust.

New Zealand screenwriter Andrew Niccol ( The Truman Show ) made his feature directorial debut with this science fiction drama , set in a future when one's life is determined by genetic engineering rather than education or experience. The wealthy can choose the genetic makeup of their descendants. People are designed to fit into whatever role is decided before birth. But what happens when someone desires another way of life? Citizens in this impersonal future - world are fashioned as perfect specimens , so those in the natural - born minority are viewed as inferior to the pre - planned perfect specimens ( aka "Valids" ) who dominate. One of the natural - borns ( aka "In - Valids" ), Vincent Freeman ( Ethan Hawke ), has several defects ( poor vision , emotional problems , and short 30 - year life expectancy ), but he also develops a different outlook on his pre - ordained fate. He yearns to break free from society's constraints , and he dreams of a journey into space as a Gattaca Corp. navigator. To accomplish his goal , he enlists the aid of DNA broker German ( Tony Shalhoub ) and makes contact with Jerome Morrow ( Jude Law ), who was paralyzed in an accident and is willing to sell his superior genetic materials. Vincent assumes Jerome's identity and is scheduled for a flying mission. However , a week before his flight , a Gattaca mission director is murdered , and all members of the program are the suspects. Meanwhile , he develops a romantic interest in a beautiful Valid , Irene ( Uma Thurman ), prevented from going into space because of her heart defect. Tracked by a relentless investigator who is methodically jigsawing all the pieces together , Jerome finds his aspirations dissolving into stardust.

The search for life outside our solar system becomes a personal and spiritual quest for a young researcher. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster) is a scientist who lost her faith in God after her parents died when she was a child. However Ellie has learned to develop a different sort of faith in the seemingly unknowable: working with a group that monitors radio waves from space Ellie hopes that some day she will receive a coherent message from another world that will prove that there is a world beyond our own. Ellie's hard work is rewarded when her team picks up a signal that does not appear to be of earthly origin. Ellie decodes the message which turns out to be plans for a space craft which she takes as an invitation for a meeting with the aliens. Ellie and her fellow researchers soon run into interference from a White House scientific advisor David Drumlin (Tom Skerritt) who cuts off their funding and tries to take credit for their achievements. However Ellie receives moral support from Palmer Joss (Matthew McConaughey) a spiritual teacher who advises President Clinton and tries to persuade her to accept the existence of a higher power and financial backing from S.R. Hadden (John Hurt) a multi-millionaire willing to fund her attempts to contact the source of the message. Contact was based on a novel by Carl Sagan who advised director Robert Zemeckis during the film's production until his death in 1996.

The search for life outside our solar system becomes a personal and spiritual quest for a young researcher. Ellie Arroway ( Jodie Foster ) is a scientist who lost her faith in God after her parents died when she was a child. However , Ellie has learned to develop a different sort of faith in the seemingly unknowable : working with a group that monitors radio waves from space , Ellie hopes that some day she will receive a coherent message from another world that will prove that there is a world beyond our own. Ellie's hard work is rewarded when her team picks up a signal that does not appear to be of earthly origin. Ellie decodes the message , which turns out to be plans for a space craft , which she takes as an invitation for a meeting with the aliens. Ellie and her fellow researchers soon run into interference from a White House scientific advisor , David Drumlin ( Tom Skerritt ), who cuts off their funding and tries to take credit for their achievements. However , Ellie receives moral support from Palmer Joss ( Matthew McConaughey ), a spiritual teacher who advises President Clinton and tries to persuade her to accept the existence of a higher power , and financial backing from S.R. Hadden ( John Hurt ), a multi - millionaire willing to fund her attempts to contact the source of the message. Contact was based on a novel by Carl Sagan , who advised director Robert Zemeckis during the film's production until his death in 1996.

Set in Los Angeles two days before the end of 1999 Strange Days introduces us to Lenny Nero (Ralph Fiennes) an ex-cop turned sleazy hustler who hawks the newest underground thrill on the black market: a "squid" a headpiece that allows one to transmit digital recordings of other people's thoughts feelings and memories into their brain; as Lenny describes it "this is real life pure and uncut straight from the cerebral cortex." Lenny deals "clips" (the software) as well as "squids" (the hardware) for this new and illegal entertainment system and while sex and violence are the most popular themes Lenny refuses to deal in "blackjack" -- slang for snuff clips. Lenny is nursing a broken heart after his girlfriend punk singer Faith Justin (Juliette Lewis) left him and he spends a lot of time with clips he recorded when they were together. Faith is now involved with Philo Grant (Michael Wincott) a music business tycoon who once managed Jeriko One (Glenn Plummer) a hip-hop musician and political activist whose murder has sent L.A. into a state of chaos. When a clip emerges that shows that Jeriko was killed by L.A. police officers Lenny finds his life in danger and he tries to escape possible death on both sides of the law with the help of his friend Mace Mason (Angela Bassett). Strange Days was written by James Cameron in collaboration with former film critic Jay Cocks; Kathryn Bigelow directed.

Set in Los Angeles two days before the end of 1999 , Strange Days introduces us to Lenny Nero ( Ralph Fiennes ), an ex - cop turned sleazy hustler who hawks the newest underground thrill on the black market : a "squid , " a headpiece that allows one to transmit digital recordings of other people's thoughts , feelings , and memories into their brain ; as Lenny describes it , "this is real life , pure and uncut , straight from the cerebral cortex." Lenny deals "clips" ( the software ) as well as "squids" ( the hardware ) for this new and illegal entertainment system , and while sex and violence are the most popular themes , Lenny refuses to deal in "blackjack" -- slang for snuff clips. Lenny is nursing a broken heart after his girlfriend , punk singer Faith Justin ( Juliette Lewis ), left him , and he spends a lot of time with clips he recorded when they were together. Faith is now involved with Philo Grant ( Michael Wincott ), a music business tycoon who once managed Jeriko One ( Glenn Plummer ), a hip - hop musician and political activist whose murder has sent L.A. into a state of chaos. When a clip emerges that shows that Jeriko was killed by L.A. police officers , Lenny finds his life in danger , and he tries to escape possible death on both sides of the law with the help of his friend Mace Mason ( Angela Bassett ) . Strange Days was written by James Cameron in collaboration with former film critic Jay Cocks ; Kathryn Bigelow directed.

In the William Goldman-scripted Bryan Forbes-directed adaptation of Ira Levin's savagely satiric sci-fi novel The Stepford Wives housewife Joanna (Katharine Ross) moves with husband Walter (Peter Masterson) and their children to the "ideal" suburban community of Stepford CT. Slowly Joanna deduces that something is amiss; most of the other housewives are vapid creatures who speak in trivialities and live only to please their husbands. Together with new friend Bobby (Paula Prentiss) she investigates this curious status quo. When Bobby also succumbs to cloying sweetness Joanna discovers that Stepford's husbands have conspired with male chauvinist scientists to replace all the wives with computerized android duplicates. The Stepford Wives became a massive runaway hit earning four million dollars domestically. Mega-producer Scott Rudin and director Frank Oz teamed up for a remake in 2004.

In the William Goldman - scripted , Bryan Forbes - directed adaptation of Ira Levin 's savagely satiric sci - fi novel The Stepford Wives , housewife Joanna ( Katharine Ross ) moves with husband Walter ( Peter Masterson ) and their children to the "ideal" suburban community of Stepford , CT. Slowly , Joanna deduces that something is amiss ; most of the other housewives are vapid creatures who speak in trivialities and live only to please their husbands. Together with new friend Bobby ( Paula Prentiss ), she investigates this curious status quo. When Bobby also succumbs to cloying sweetness , Joanna discovers that Stepford's husbands have conspired with male chauvinist scientists to replace all the wives with computerized android duplicates. The Stepford Wives became a massive , runaway hit , earning four million dollars domestically. Mega - producer Scott Rudin and director Frank Oz teamed up for a remake in 2004.

H.G. Wells's War of the Worlds had been on the Paramount Pictures docket since the silent era when it was optioned as a potential Cecil B. DeMille production. When Paramount finally got around to a filming the Wells novel the property was firmly in the hands of special-effects maestro George Pal. Like Orson Welles's infamous 1938 radio adaptation the film eschews Wells's original Victorian England setting for a contemporary American locale in this case Southern California. A meteorlike object crash-lands near the small town of Linda Rosa. Among the crowd of curious onlookers is Pacific Tech scientist Gene Barry who strikes up a friendship with Ann Robinson the niece of local minister Lewis Martin. Because the meteor is too hot to approach at present Barry decides to wait a few days to investigate leaving three townsmen to guard the strange glowing object. Left alone the three men decide to approach the meterorite and are evaporated for their trouble. It turns out that this is no meteorite but an invading spaceship from the planet Mars. The hideous-looking Martians utilize huge mushroomlike flying ships equipped with heat rays to pursue the helpless earthlings. When the military is called in the Martians demonstrate their ruthlessness by "zapping" Ann's minister uncle who'd hoped to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the standoff. As Barry and Ann seek shelter the Martians go on a destructive rampage. Nothing-not even an atom-bomb blast-can halt the Martian death machines. The film's climax occurs in a besieged Los Angeles where Barry fights through a crowd of refugees and looters so that he may be reunited with Ann in Earth's last moments of existence. In the end the Martians are defeated not by science or the military but by bacteria germs-or to quote H.G. Wells "the humblest things that God in his wisdom has put upon the earth." Forty years' worth of progressively improving special effects have not dimmed the brilliance of George Pal's War of the Worlds. Even on television Pal's Oscar-winning camera trickery is awesome to behold. So indelible an impression has this film made on modern-day sci-fi mavens that when a 1988 TV version of War of the Worlds was put together it was conceived as a direct sequel to the 1953 film rather than a derivation of the Wells novel or the Welles radio production.

H.G. Wells's War of the Worlds had been on the Paramount Pictures docket since the silent era , when it was optioned as a potential Cecil B. DeMille production. When Paramount finally got around to a filming the Wells novel , the property was firmly in the hands of special - effects maestro George Pal. Like Orson Welles's infamous 1938 radio adaptation , the film eschews Wells's original Victorian England setting for a contemporary American locale , in this case Southern California. A meteorlike object crash - lands near the small town of Linda Rosa. Among the crowd of curious onlookers is Pacific Tech scientist Gene Barry , who strikes up a friendship with Ann Robinson , the niece of local minister Lewis Martin. Because the meteor is too hot to approach at present , Barry decides to wait a few days to investigate , leaving three townsmen to guard the strange , glowing object. Left alone , the three men decide to approach the meterorite , and are evaporated for their trouble. It turns out that this is no meteorite , but an invading spaceship from the planet Mars. The hideous - looking Martians utilize huge , mushroomlike flying ships , equipped with heat rays , to pursue the helpless earthlings. When the military is called in , the Martians demonstrate their ruthlessness by "zapping" Ann's minister uncle , who'd hoped to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the standoff. As Barry and Ann seek shelter , the Martians go on a destructive rampage. Nothing - not even an atom - bomb blast - can halt the Martian death machines. The film's climax occurs in a besieged Los Angeles , where Barry fights through a crowd of refugees and looters so that he may be reunited with Ann in Earth's last moments of existence. In the end , the Martians are defeated not by science or the military , but by bacteria germs - or , to quote H.G. Wells , "the humblest things that God in his wisdom has put upon the earth." Forty years' worth of progressively improving special effects have not dimmed the brilliance of George Pal's War of the Worlds . Even on television , Pal's Oscar - winning camera trickery is awesome to behold. So indelible an impression has this film made on modern - day sci - fi mavens that , when a 1988 TV version of War of the Worlds was put together , it was conceived as a direct sequel to the 1953 film , rather than a derivation of the Wells novel or the Welles radio production.

In Paul Verhoeven's wild sci-fi action movie Total Recall Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a 21st-century construction worker who discovers that his entire memory of the past derives from a memory chip implanted in his brain. Schwarzenegger learns that he's actually a secret agent who had become a threat to the government so those in power planted the chip and invented a domestic lifestyle for him. Once he has realized his true identity he travels to Mars to piece together the rest of his identity as well as to find the man responsible for his implanted memory. Verhoeven has created a fast furious action film with Total Recall filled with impressive stunts and (literally) eye-popping visuals. Though the film bears only a passing resemblance to the Philip K. Dick short story it was based on ("We Can Remember It For You Wholesale") the movie is an entertaining if very violent ride.

In Paul Verhoeven 's wild sci - fi action movie Total Recall , Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a 21st - century construction worker who discovers that his entire memory of the past derives from a memory chip implanted in his brain. Schwarzenegger learns that he's actually a secret agent who had become a threat to the government , so those in power planted the chip and invented a domestic lifestyle for him. Once he has realized his true identity , he travels to Mars to piece together the rest of his identity , as well as to find the man responsible for his implanted memory. Verhoeven has created a fast , furious action film with Total Recall , filled with impressive stunts and ( literally ) eye - popping visuals. Though the film bears only a passing resemblance to the Philip K. Dick short story it was based on ( " We Can Remember It For You Wholesale " ), the movie is an entertaining , if very violent , ride.

ruce Dern stars as the caretaker of a greenhouse located on a group of space stations that are sent into orbit. The Earth has been stripped clean of foliage and the greenhouse contains the last remaining greenery from the planet. Dern's staff includes three human beings and a trio of endearing robots named Huey Dewey and Louie. When word arrives from the powers that be that the greenhouse is to be destroyed (the space station is more valuable to man when hauling cargo and not "preserving the ecology of the universe") Dern decides to ignore the order. He also decides to go it alone "circle the wagons" with his robots and fend off all outside attempts to eliminate his ecological paradise. Special-effects maven Douglas Trumbull directs Michael Cimino was one of the screenwriters and Peter "PDQ Bach" Schickele wrote the musical score.

Bruce Dern stars as the caretaker of a greenhouse located on a group of space stations that are sent into orbit. The Earth has been stripped clean of foliage , and the greenhouse contains the last remaining greenery from the planet. Dern 's staff includes three human beings and a trio of endearing robots named Huey , Dewey , and Louie. When word arrives , from the powers that be , that the greenhouse is to be destroyed ( the space station is more valuable to man when hauling cargo and not "preserving the ecology of the universe" ), Dern decides to ignore the order. He also decides to go it alone , "circle the wagons" with his robots , and fend off all outside attempts to eliminate his ecological paradise. Special - effects maven Douglas Trumbull directs , Michael Cimino was one of the screenwriters , and Peter "PDQ Bach" Schickele wrote the musical score.

This remake of the 1956 horror classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers moves the action from small-town USA to 1970s San Francisco and replaces at least part of the original's psychological horror with special effects. Spores rain forth unseen from outer space and soon strange flowers begin popping up all over the city. After bringing one of these hybrid specimens home with her one night biologist Elizabeth Driscoll (Brooke Adams) notices that her live-in boyfriend Geoffrey (Art Hindle) doesn't seem like himself; he's cold and distant and somehow just not quite there. When she turns to her friend Matthew Bennell (Donald Sutherland) a colleague at the Department of Public Health he convinces her to see his friend Dr. Kibner (Leonard Nimoy) a pop psychologist who argues that the problem is all in Elizabeth's head. Soon though Matthew and Elizabeth begin to notice that people all over the city are changing subtly and inexplicably. When their friend Jack Bellicec (Jeff Goldblum) and his wife Nancy (Veronica Cartwright) find a lifeless half-formed doppelganger covered with plant fibers in the mud baths they own and operate the group of friends finally begins to understand that a sinister transformation is sweeping their city. Kevin McCarthy and Don Siegel respectively the star and director of the original film have small roles in the new version as does an unbilled Robert Duvall.

This remake of the 1956 horror classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers moves the action from small - town USA to 1970s San Francisco and replaces at least part of the original's psychological horror with special effects. Spores rain forth , unseen , from outer space , and soon strange flowers begin popping up all over the city. After bringing one of these hybrid specimens home with her one night , biologist Elizabeth Driscoll ( Brooke Adams ) notices that her live - in boyfriend , Geoffrey ( Art Hindle ), doesn't seem like himself ; he's cold and distant and somehow just not quite there. When she turns to her friend Matthew Bennell ( Donald Sutherland ), a colleague at the Department of Public Health , he convinces her to see his friend Dr. Kibner ( Leonard Nimoy ), a pop psychologist who argues that the problem is all in Elizabeth's head. Soon , though , Matthew and Elizabeth begin to notice that people all over the city are changing subtly and inexplicably. When their friend Jack Bellicec ( Jeff Goldblum ) and his wife Nancy ( Veronica Cartwright ) find a lifeless , half - formed doppelganger covered with plant fibers in the mud baths they own and operate , the group of friends finally begins to understand that a sinister transformation is sweeping their city. Kevin McCarthy and Don Siegel , respectively the star and director of the original film , have small roles in the new version , as does an unbilled Robert Duvall .

Stephen Boyd heads a team of scientists sent on a bizarre experimental mission. Through a revolutionary and as-yet-untested process the scientists and their special motorized vehicle are miniaturized then injected into the blood stream of a near-death scientist (Jean del Val). Their mission is to relieve a blood clot caused by an assassination attempt. One member of the expedition is bent on sabotage so that the scientist's secrets will die with him. Another member is Raquel Welch seemingly along for the ride solely because of how she looks in a skintight diving suit. The film's Oscar-winning visual effects (by Art Cruickshank) chart the progress of the voyagers through the scientist's body burrowing past deadly antibodies chunks of tobacco residue in the lungs and other such obstacles. Oscars also went to Jack Martin Smith and Dale Hennesy's art direction and Stuart A. Reiss and Walter M. Scott's set decoration. Fantastic Voyage was later spun off into a Saturday-morning cartoon series.

Stephen Boyd heads a team of scientists sent on a bizarre experimental mission. Through a revolutionary and as - yet - untested process , the scientists and their special motorized vehicle are miniaturized , then injected into the blood stream of a near - death scientist ( Jean del Val ) . Their mission is to relieve a blood clot caused by an assassination attempt. One member of the expedition is bent on sabotage so that the scientist's secrets will die with him. Another member is Raquel Welch , seemingly along for the ride solely because of how she looks in a skintight diving suit. The film's Oscar - winning visual effects ( by Art Cruickshank ) chart the progress of the voyagers through the scientist's body , burrowing past deadly antibodies , chunks of tobacco residue in the lungs , and other such obstacles. Oscars also went to Jack Martin Smith and Dale Hennesy 's art direction and Stuart A. Reiss and Walter M. Scott 's set decoration. Fantastic Voyage was later spun off into a Saturday - morning cartoon series.

Christopher Walken plays a schoolteacher Johnny Smith who awakens from a five-year coma. He discovers that he has acquired the ability to foretell a person's future simply by touching his or her hand. After seeing several examples Smith's doctor (Herbert Lom) becomes convinced that Smith can not only predict the future but also has the power to change it. This ability is given its severest test when Smith shakes the hand of ruthless political candidate Greg Stillson (Martin Sheen) -- and suddenly has a flash-forward to a nuclear holocaust. The Dead Zone is not only one of the best-ever Stephen King adaptations but also one of the most consistently successful (and least gory) efforts of director David Cronenberg.

Christopher Walken plays a schoolteacher , Johnny Smith , who awakens from a five - year coma. He discovers that he has acquired the ability to foretell a person's future simply by touching his or her hand. After seeing several examples , Smith's doctor ( Herbert Lom ) becomes convinced that Smith can not only predict the future , but also has the power to change it. This ability is given its severest test when Smith shakes the hand of ruthless political candidate Greg Stillson ( Martin Sheen ) -- and suddenly has a flash - forward to a nuclear holocaust. The Dead Zone is not only one of the best - ever Stephen King adaptations , but also one of the most consistently successful ( and least gory ) efforts of director David Cronenberg .

Filmmaker John Sayles' first bonafide box-office success Brother from Another Planet centers on a black escaped slave from a faraway planet (Joe Morton) who finds himself on the mean streets Harlem. Though the locals are put off by the slave's inability to speak they are won over by his technical wizardry. He is adopted as a "brother" by his new friends who protect him from pursuing white aliens played by director Sayles and David Strathairn.

Filmmaker John Sayles ' first bonafide box - office success , Brother from Another Planet centers on a black escaped slave from a faraway planet ( Joe Morton ) who finds himself on the mean streets Harlem. Though the locals are put off by the slave's inability to speak , they are won over by his technical wizardry. He is adopted as a "brother" by his new friends , who protect him from pursuing white aliens played by director Sayles and David Strathairn .

Canadian director David Cronenberg followed his graphic vampire variation Rabid with this multi-layered speculative horror film which addresses the way the repressed demons of the psyche can force their way to the surface. Psychologist Dr. Raglan (Oliver Reed) director of the controversial Psychoplasmic Institute and author of the book "The Shape of Rage" encourages his patients to outwardly manifest their anger and fear (aided by some experimental drugs) which then takes physical shape as actual sores cancers or strange new organs. One of Raglan's more successful patients (from his point-of-view anyway) is Nola Carveth (Samantha Eggar) who is undergoing therapy following a painful divorce from her husband Frank (Art Hindle). When Frank discovers evidence that Nola may have injured their daughter Candice (Cindy Hinds) he begins to suspect Raglan's techniques but is unprepared for the most horrifying by-product of her rage: a progeny of sexless dwarflike mutants who are born for the sole purpose of acting out her violent fantasies of revenge. Containing only enough energy to carry out their murderous tasks the brood is dispatched to kill Nola's parents then a woman she believes is having an affair with Frank. By the time Frank discovers the origins of the tiny offspring they have already abducted Candice and taken her to the institute where Frank must confront Nola in person. Although it contains one of the most visceral and nauseating scenes in movie history (during the film's climax) this nevertheless remains the most subtle of Cronenberg's early horror projects with a strong subtext about the devastating effects of divorce.

Canadian director David Cronenberg followed his graphic vampire variation Rabid with this multi - layered , speculative horror film which addresses the way the repressed demons of the psyche can force their way to the surface. Psychologist Dr. Raglan ( Oliver Reed ), director of the controversial Psychoplasmic Institute and author of the book "The Shape of Rage , " encourages his patients to outwardly manifest their anger and fear ( aided by some experimental drugs ), which then takes physical shape as actual sores , cancers , or strange new organs. One of Raglan's more successful patients ( from his point - of - view , anyway ) is Nola Carveth ( Samantha Eggar ), who is undergoing therapy following a painful divorce from her husband , Frank ( Art Hindle ) . When Frank discovers evidence that Nola may have injured their daughter , Candice ( Cindy Hinds ), he begins to suspect Raglan's techniques but is unprepared for the most horrifying by - product of her rage : a progeny of sexless , dwarflike mutants who are born for the sole purpose of acting out her violent fantasies of revenge. Containing only enough energy to carry out their murderous tasks , the brood is dispatched to kill Nola's parents , then a woman she believes is having an affair with Frank. By the time Frank discovers the origins of the tiny offspring , they have already abducted Candice and taken her to the institute , where Frank must confront Nola in person. Although it contains one of the most visceral and nauseating scenes in movie history ( during the film's climax ), this nevertheless remains the most subtle of Cronenberg 's early horror projects , with a strong subtext about the devastating effects of divorce.

ased on the novella by Harlan Ellison A Boy and His Dog is set in a post-apocalyptic future where canned goods are used as currency and where entertainment often consists of old porn reels. Vic (Don Johnson) is a violent illiterate scavenger principally interested in getting laid. He communicates telepathically with his deceptively cute-looking dog Blood (voiced by Tim McIntire); Vic finds food for Blood while Blood sniffs out girls for Vic. One of these girls is the sexy Quilla June (Susanne Benton) who unbeknownst to Vic is a spy for an underground society headed by a Mr. Craddock (Jason Robards Jr.). This subterranean civilization needs a human "sperm bank" to stay alive and the oversexed Vic fills the bill. Produced by character actor Alvy Moore (Mr. Kimball of TV's Green Acres) A Boy and His Dog was written and directed by another veteran actor L.Q. Jones.

Based on the novella by Harlan Ellison , A Boy and His Dog is set in a post - apocalyptic future where canned goods are used as currency and where entertainment often consists of old porn reels. Vic ( Don Johnson ) is a violent , illiterate scavenger , principally interested in getting laid. He communicates telepathically with his deceptively cute - looking dog Blood ( voiced by Tim McIntire ); Vic finds food for Blood , while Blood sniffs out girls for Vic. One of these girls is the sexy Quilla June ( Susanne Benton ), who , unbeknownst to Vic is a spy for an underground society , headed by a Mr. Craddock ( Jason Robards Jr. ) . This subterranean civilization needs a human "sperm bank" to stay alive , and the oversexed Vic fills the bill. Produced by character actor Alvy Moore ( Mr. Kimball of TV's Green Acres ), A Boy and His Dog was written and directed by another veteran actor , L.Q. Jones .

In this 1980 sci-fi horror film William Hurt plays Eddie Jessup a scientist obsessed with discovering mankind's true role in the universe. To this end he submits himself to a series of mind-expanding experiments. By enclosing himself in a sensory-deprivation chamber and taking hallucinogenic drugs Jessup hopes to explore different levels of human consciousness but instead is devolved into an apelike monster. Director Ken Russell helmed Altered States from a script by Paddy Chayefsky who adapted his own novel of the same name. Unhappy with the finished product Chayefsky had his name replaced with his pseudonym Sydney Aaron.

In this 1980 sci - fi horror film , William Hurt plays Eddie Jessup , a scientist obsessed with discovering mankind's true role in the universe. To this end , he submits himself to a series of mind - expanding experiments. By enclosing himself in a sensory - deprivation chamber and taking hallucinogenic drugs , Jessup hopes to explore different levels of human consciousness , but instead is devolved into an apelike monster. Director Ken Russell helmed Altered States from a script by Paddy Chayefsky , who adapted his own novel of the same name. Unhappy with the finished product , Chayefsky had his name replaced with his pseudonym Sydney Aaron .

In 1977 George Lucas released Star Wars the ultimate sci-fi popcorn flick-turned-pop-culture myth machine. It quickly became the biggest money-making film of all time and changed the shape of the film industry. After two successful sequels (1980's The Empire Strikes Back and 1983's Return of the Jedi) that extended the story of the first film Lucas took some time off to produce movies for others with mixed success. In 1999 Lucas returned to the Star Wars saga with a new approach -- instead of picking up where Return of the Jedi left off Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace would be the first of a trilogy of stories to trace what happened in the intergalactic saga before the first film began. Here Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) is a young apprentice Jedi knight under the tutelage of Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson); Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) who will later father Luke Skywalker and become known as Darth Vader is just a nine-year-old boy. When the Trade Federation cuts off all routes to the planet Naboo Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are assigned to settle the matter but when they arrive on Naboo they are brought to Amidala (Natalie Portman) the Naboo queen by a friendly but opportunistic Gungan named Jar Jar. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan plan to escort Amidala to a meeting of Republic leaders in Coruscant but trouble with their spacecraft strands them on the planet Tatooine where Qui-Gon meets Anakin the slave of a scrap dealer. Qui-Gon is soon convinced that the boy could be the leader the Jedis have been searching for and he begins bargaining for his freedom and teaching the boy the lessons of the Force. The supporting cast includes Pernilla August as Anakin's mother Terence Stamp as Chancellor Valorum and Samuel L. Jackson as Jedi master Mace Windu. Jackson told a reporter before The Phantom Menace's release that the best part about doing the film was that he got to say "May the Force be with you" onscreen.

In 1977 , George Lucas released Star Wars , the ultimate sci - fi popcorn flick - turned - pop - culture myth machine. It quickly became the biggest money - making film of all time and changed the shape of the film industry. After two successful sequels ( 1980's The Empire Strikes Back and 1983's Return of the Jedi ) that extended the story of the first film , Lucas took some time off to produce movies for others , with mixed success. In 1999 , Lucas returned to the Star Wars saga with a new approach -- instead of picking up where Return of the Jedi left off , Star Wars : Episode I -- The Phantom Menace would be the first of a trilogy of stories to trace what happened in the intergalactic saga before the first film began. Here , Obi - Wan Kenobi ( Ewan McGregor ) is a young apprentice Jedi knight under the tutelage of Qui - Gon Jinn ( Liam Neeson ); Anakin Skywalker ( Jake Lloyd ), who will later father Luke Skywalker and become known as Darth Vader , is just a nine - year - old boy. When the Trade Federation cuts off all routes to the planet Naboo , Qui - Gon and Obi - Wan are assigned to settle the matter , but when they arrive on Naboo they are brought to Amidala ( Natalie Portman ), the Naboo queen , by a friendly but opportunistic Gungan named Jar Jar. Qui - Gon and Obi - Wan plan to escort Amidala to a meeting of Republic leaders in Coruscant , but trouble with their spacecraft strands them on the planet Tatooine , where Qui - Gon meets Anakin , the slave of a scrap dealer. Qui - Gon is soon convinced that the boy could be the leader the Jedis have been searching for , and he begins bargaining for his freedom and teaching the boy the lessons of the Force. The supporting cast includes Pernilla August as Anakin's mother , Terence Stamp as Chancellor Valorum , and Samuel L. Jackson as Jedi master Mace Windu. Jackson told a reporter before The Phantom Menace 's release that the best part about doing the film was that he got to say "May the Force be with you" onscreen.

Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg who has long been fascinated by the ways new technology shapes and manipulates the human beings who believe they are its masters is in familiar territory with eXistenZ a futuristic thriller which combines elements of science fiction horror and action-adventure. What is eXistenZ? According to the glossary Cronenberg put together for this film it is a new organic game system that when downloaded into humans accesses their central nervous system transporting them on a wild ride in and out of reality. What's more it changes every time it is played by adapting to the individual user -- you have to play the game to find out why you are playing the game. More than one person can plug into the same game and set out on a series of bizarre and surrealistic adventures together. The narrative takes place sometime in the near future when game designers are worshipped as superstars and players can organically enter inside the games. Allegra Geller (Jennifer Jason Leigh) the goddess among computer game designers whose latest invention 'eXistenZ' taps deeply into its users' fears and desires by blurring the boundaries between reality and escapism is subject to an assassination attempt and forced to flee. Her sole ally is Ted Pikul (Jude Law) a novice security guard sworn to protect her. Persuading Ted to play the game Allegra draws them both into a phantasmagoric world where existence ends and eXistenZ begins. Jennifer Jason Leigh who is supposedly something of a computer nerd in real life is hip and sexily alluring as Allegra Geller. When she and Pikul make love and are transported to the bizarre setting of a trout farm which has been converted to an assembly line production plant for games they delve deeper into the dangerously intriguing game. Soon the forces of Anti-eXistenZialism will close in on Pikul and Allegra. eXistenZ marks the first time since Videodrome that Cronenberg has written a completely original screenplay. eXistenZ was inspired by the tribulations of the fugitive writer Salman Rushdie author of the Satanic Verses. After interviewing the author for a magazine article in 1995 Cronenberg was struck with the idea of an artist who suddenly finds himself on a hit list for religious or philosophical reasons and is forced to go into hiding. The idea of a game came later on for which he created a new vocabulary. According to Cronenberg eXistenZ thematically connects to Crash Videodrome Naked Lunch and even M. Butterfly in terms of exploring the extent to which we create our own levels of reality and the idea of a creative act being dangerous to the creator. This is the second film on which Alliance Atlantis has been associated with Cronenberg after Crash which won the Special Jury Prize at the 1996 International Cannes Film Festival. On the occasion of the presentation of eXistenZ Cronenberg received a Silver Bear for his outstanding artistic achievements at the 49th International Berlin Film Festival in 1999.

Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg , who has long been fascinated by the ways new technology shapes and manipulates the human beings who believe they are its masters , is in familiar territory with eXistenZ , a futuristic thriller which combines elements of science fiction , horror and action - adventure. What is eXistenZ? According to the glossary Cronenberg put together for this film , it is a new organic game system that , when downloaded into humans , accesses their central nervous system , transporting them on a wild ride in and out of reality. What's more , it changes every time it is played , by adapting to the individual user -- you have to play the game to find out why you are playing the game. More than one person can plug into the same game and set out on a series of bizarre and surrealistic adventures together. The narrative takes place sometime in the near future , when game designers are worshipped as superstars and players can organically enter inside the games. Allegra Geller ( Jennifer Jason Leigh ), the goddess among computer game designers whose latest invention , 'eXistenZ , ' taps deeply into its users' fears and desires by blurring the boundaries between reality and escapism , is subject to an assassination attempt and forced to flee. Her sole ally is Ted Pikul ( Jude Law ), a novice security guard sworn to protect her. Persuading Ted to play the game , Allegra draws them both into a phantasmagoric world where existence ends and eXistenZ begins. Jennifer Jason Leigh , who is supposedly something of a computer nerd in real life , is hip and sexily alluring as Allegra Geller. When she and Pikul make love and are transported to the bizarre setting of a trout farm which has been converted to an assembly line production plant for games , they delve deeper into the dangerously intriguing game. Soon the forces of Anti - eXistenZialism will close in on Pikul and Allegra. eXistenZ marks the first time since Videodrome that Cronenberg has written a completely original screenplay. eXistenZ was inspired by the tribulations of the fugitive writer Salman Rushdie , author of the Satanic Verses . After interviewing the author for a magazine article in 1995 , Cronenberg was struck with the idea of an artist who suddenly finds himself on a hit list for religious or philosophical reasons and is forced to go into hiding. The idea of a game came later on , for which he created a new vocabulary. According to Cronenberg , eXistenZ thematically connects to Crash , Videodrome , Naked Lunch and even M. Butterfly in terms of exploring the extent to which we create our own levels of reality and the idea of a creative act being dangerous to the creator. This is the second film on which Alliance Atlantis has been associated with Cronenberg , after Crash , which won the Special Jury Prize at the 1996 International Cannes Film Festival . On the occasion of the presentation of eXistenZ , Cronenberg received a Silver Bear for his outstanding artistic achievements at the 49th International Berlin Film Festival in 1999.

Mimi Leder (The Peacemaker) directed this science-fiction disaster drama about the possible extinction of human life after a comet is discovered headed toward Earth with the collision only one year away. Ambitious MSNBC reporter Jenny Lerner (Tea Leoni) stumbles onto the story prompting a White House press conference. United States President Beck (Morgan Freeman) announces the government's solution: a team of astronauts will travel to the comet and destroy it. The team leader aboard the spaceship Messiah is Spurgeon Tanner (Robert Duvall) who was once the last man to walk on the moon. However the mission fails splitting off a chunk of the comet now due to land in the Atlantic with the impact sending a 350-foot tidal wave flooding 650 miles inland destroying New York and other cities. The larger part of the comet hitting in Canada will trigger an E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event) not unlike a "nuclear winter" as dust clouds block out the sun and bring life to an end. President Beck reveals Plan B: a cavernous underground retreat constructed to hold one million Americans with most to be selected through a national lottery. Since teenage amateur astronomer Leo Biederman (Elijah Wood) discovered the comet his family gets a pass to enter the cave but his girlfriend Sarah (Leelee Sobieski) and her parents will be left behind. Meanwhile still in space Spurgeon Tanner devises a plan for a kamikaze-styled operation that could possibly save the Earth. Special visual effects by Scott Farrar and Industrial Light & Magic.

Mimi Leder ( The Peacemaker ) directed this science - fiction disaster drama about the possible extinction of human life after a comet is discovered headed toward Earth with the collision only one year away. Ambitious MSNBC reporter Jenny Lerner ( Tea Leoni ) stumbles onto the story , prompting a White House press conference. United States President Beck ( Morgan Freeman ) announces the government's solution : a team of astronauts will travel to the comet and destroy it. The team leader aboard the spaceship Messiah is Spurgeon Tanner ( Robert Duvall ), who was once the last man to walk on the moon. However , the mission fails , splitting off a chunk of the comet , now due to land in the Atlantic with the impact sending a 350 - foot tidal wave flooding 650 miles inland , destroying New York and other cities. The larger part of the comet , hitting in Canada , will trigger an E.L.E. ( Extinction Level Event ), not unlike a "nuclear winter" as dust clouds block out the sun and bring life to an end. President Beck reveals Plan B : a cavernous underground retreat constructed to hold one million Americans , with most to be selected through a national lottery. Since teenage amateur astronomer Leo Biederman ( Elijah Wood ) discovered the comet , his family gets a pass to enter the cave , but his girlfriend Sarah ( Leelee Sobieski ) and her parents will be left behind. Meanwhile , still in space , Spurgeon Tanner devises a plan for a kamikaze - styled operation that could possibly save the Earth. Special visual effects by Scott Farrar and Industrial Light & Magic.

This low-budget science-fiction drama winner of a 1997 Toronto Film Festival prize for "Best Canadian First Feature" depicts the plight of a group of people clad in prison-style uniforms and trapped in futuristic cube-like metal cells. Their memories are hazy; no one can recall how they got there. Alderson (Julian Richings) awakens in a cell seeks an exit and arrives in an adjacent cube where he's sliced and diced. Former cop Quentin (Maurice Dean-Wint) becomes the group leader and he's challenged by conspiracy theorist Dr. Holloway (Nicky Guadagni). Government worker Worth (David Hewlett) remembers a past government link to the project. A discovery that the cubes have numerical codes suggests study by math-student Leaven (Nicole deBoer) while former thief Rennes (Wayne Robson) knows some escape tricks. However the extreme behavior of Kazan (Andrew Miller) becomes a threat to their survival. The film was also shown at the 1997 Vancouver Film Festival.

This low - budget science - fiction drama , winner of a 1997 Toronto Film Festival prize for "Best Canadian First Feature , " depicts the plight of a group of people clad in prison - style uniforms and trapped in futuristic cube - like metal cells. Their memories are hazy ; no one can recall how they got there. Alderson ( Julian Richings ) awakens in a cell , seeks an exit , and arrives in an adjacent cube where he's sliced and diced. Former cop Quentin ( Maurice Dean - Wint ) becomes the group leader , and he's challenged by conspiracy theorist Dr. Holloway ( Nicky Guadagni ) . Government worker Worth ( David Hewlett ) remembers a past government link to the project. A discovery that the cubes have numerical codes suggests study by math - student Leaven ( Nicole deBoer ) while former thief Rennes ( Wayne Robson ) knows some escape tricks. However , the extreme behavior of Kazan ( Andrew Miller ) becomes a threat to their survival. The film was also shown at the 1997 Vancouver Film Festival .

For his fifth effort as a feature-film director one-time cinematographer Barry Sonnenfeld brought his cartoonish visual style and darkly humorous sensibilities to this adaptation of appropriately enough a tongue-in-cheek sci-fi comic book. Will Smith stars as James Darrel Edwards a New York City cop with an athletic physique and a flippant anti-authoritarian attitude toward law enforcement. After chasing down a mysterious perpetrator one night who turns out to be an alien James is recruited by "K" (Tommy Lee Jones) a veteran of a clandestine government agency secretly policing the comings and goings of aliens on planet Earth. Nicknamed the "men in black" for their nondescript uniform of black suit shoes tie and sunglasses the agents are assigned to recover a bauble that's been stolen by an intergalactic terrorist (Vincent D'Onofrio). It seems the item is none other than the galaxy itself and its theft has plunged humanity into the center of what's shaping up to become an interstellar war unless K and his new wisecracking partner now renamed "J" can stop the bad guy. On their side but somewhat in the dark is a pretty unflappable city medical examiner (Linda Fiorentino) who has been zapped one too many times by K's ingenious memory-sapping device. Men in Black was a box office smash inspiring an animated children's television series and a hit soundtrack album that featured a performance by star (and rapper) Smith.

For his fifth effort as a feature - film director , one - time cinematographer Barry Sonnenfeld brought his cartoonish visual style and darkly humorous sensibilities to this adaptation of , appropriately enough , a tongue - in - cheek sci - fi comic book. Will Smith stars as James Darrel Edwards , a New York City cop with an athletic physique and a flippant , anti - authoritarian attitude toward law enforcement. After chasing down a mysterious perpetrator one night who turns out to be an alien , James is recruited by "K" ( Tommy Lee Jones ), a veteran of a clandestine government agency secretly policing the comings and goings of aliens on planet Earth. Nicknamed the "men in black" for their nondescript uniform of black suit , shoes , tie , and sunglasses , the agents are assigned to recover a bauble that's been stolen by an intergalactic terrorist ( Vincent D'Onofrio ) . It seems the item is none other than the galaxy itself , and its theft has plunged humanity into the center of what's shaping up to become an interstellar war , unless K and his new wisecracking partner , now renamed "J , " can stop the bad guy. On their side but somewhat in the dark is a pretty , unflappable city medical examiner ( Linda Fiorentino ) who has been zapped one too many times by K's ingenious memory - sapping device. Men in Black was a box office smash , inspiring an animated children's television series and a hit soundtrack album that featured a performance by star ( and rapper ) Smith .

Good and evil battle for the future of 23rd century Earth in this visually striking big-budget science fiction epic. In the movie's prologue which is set in 1914 scientists gather in Egypt at the site of an event that transpired centuries earlier. Aliens it seemed arrived to collect four stones representing the four basic elements (earth air fire and water) - warning their human contacts that the objects were no longer safe on Earth. A few hundred years later (in the 23rd century) a huge ball of molten lava and flame is hurtling toward Earth and scientist-holy man Victor Cornelius (Ian Holm) declares that in order to prevent it from destroying the planet the same four elemental stones must be combined with the fifth element as embodied by a visitor from another world named Leeloo (Milla Jovovich). However if the force of evil presents itself to the stones instead the Earth will be destroyed and an evil being named Zorg (Gary Oldman) will trigger the disaster. Despite her remarkable powers Leeloo needs help with her mission and she chooses her accomplice military leader-turned-cab driver Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis) when she literally falls through the roof of his taxi. Writer and director Luc Besson began writing the script for The Fifth Element when he was only 16 years old though he was 38 before he was able to bring it to the screen.

Good and evil battle for the future of 23rd century Earth in this visually striking big - budget science fiction epic. In the movie's prologue , which is set in 1914 , scientists gather in Egypt at the site of an event that transpired centuries earlier. Aliens , it seemed , arrived to collect four stones representing the four basic elements ( earth , air , fire and water ) - warning their human contacts that the objects were no longer safe on Earth. A few hundred years later ( in the 23rd century ), a huge ball of molten lava and flame is hurtling toward Earth , and scientist - holy man Victor Cornelius ( Ian Holm ) declares that in order to prevent it from destroying the planet , the same four elemental stones must be combined with the fifth element , as embodied by a visitor from another world named Leeloo ( Milla Jovovich ) . However , if the force of evil presents itself to the stones instead , the Earth will be destroyed , and an evil being named Zorg ( Gary Oldman ) will trigger the disaster. Despite her remarkable powers , Leeloo needs help with her mission , and she chooses her accomplice , military leader - turned - cab driver Korben Dallas ( Bruce Willis ), when she literally falls through the roof of his taxi. Writer and director Luc Besson began writing the script for The Fifth Element when he was only 16 years old , though he was 38 before he was able to bring it to the screen.

A follow-up to the 1988 film Tetsuo (also known as Tetsuo: The Iron Man) that is less sequel than more-expensive remake Tetsuo II: Body Hammer revisits director Shinya Tsukamoto's vision of a post-industrial Tokyo where man and machine have begun to merge. Tomoroh Taguchi still plays the title role although the first film's single salary man has been replaced by family man Taniguchi Tomoo. When his child is kidnapped by a pair of skinheads Tomoo's stress and anger triggers his transformation into a fearsome cyborg a hybrid between a human being and a piece of high-powered weaponry. His new body attracts the attention of the leader of the skinheads -- who turn out to be cyborg mutants themselves. The leader (portrayed by Tsukamoto) performs several experiments on Tomoo which accelerates his metamorphosis into an even more powerful horrifically deadly sort of industrial creature. This monster ends up warring against the leader and his gang leading to a series of heavily violent and highly destructive battles.

A follow - up to the 1988 film Tetsuo ( also known as Tetsuo : The Iron Man ) that is less sequel than more - expensive remake , Tetsuo II : Body Hammer revisits director Shinya Tsukamoto 's vision of a post - industrial Tokyo where man and machine have begun to merge. Tomoroh Taguchi still plays the title role , although the first film's single salary man has been replaced by family man Taniguchi Tomoo. When his child is kidnapped by a pair of skinheads , Tomoo's stress and anger triggers his transformation into a fearsome cyborg , a hybrid between a human being and a piece of high - powered weaponry. His new body attracts the attention of the leader of the skinheads -- who turn out to be cyborg mutants themselves. The leader ( portrayed by Tsukamoto ) performs several experiments on Tomoo , which accelerates his metamorphosis into an even more powerful , horrifically deadly sort of industrial creature. This monster ends up warring against the leader and his gang , leading to a series of heavily violent and highly destructive battles.

The Unvanquished is the second of Indian director Satyajit Ray's "Apu Trilogy" (the first was Pather Panchali). Ray's young protagonist Apu is permitted a formal education over the gentle objections of his mother who'd wanted him to be priest. Eventually Apu earns a university scholarship and arrives in the teeming metropolis of Calcutta. Overwhelmed by life in the Big City the impressionable country boy forgets about his loving mother. By the time Apu returns to his home he finds it's too late to pick up pieces. Smaran Ghosal plays the adult Apu with Pinaki Sen Gupta portraying his younger counterpart in the flashback. Aparajito was derived from a novel by Bibhutibhusan. The film also features a musical score by Ravi Shankar.

The Unvanquished is the second of Indian director Satyajit Ray 's "Apu Trilogy" ( the first was Pather Panchali ) . Ray 's young protagonist Apu is permitted a formal education over the gentle objections of his mother , who'd wanted him to be priest. Eventually , Apu earns a university scholarship and arrives in the teeming metropolis of Calcutta. Overwhelmed by life in the Big City , the impressionable country boy forgets about his loving mother. By the time Apu returns to his home , he finds it's too late to pick up pieces. Smaran Ghosal plays the adult Apu , with Pinaki Sen Gupta portraying his younger counterpart in the flashback. Aparajito was derived from a novel by Bibhutibhusan . The film also features a musical score by Ravi Shankar .

This 1975 film provides a superb look at popular Hindi cinema. Although it can be called an adventure it has a spaghetti-western storyline martial-arts sequences comedy soap-opera melodrama and even musical numbers including an early scene that has the two main characters riding a motorcycle and singing like Elvis Presley in the carnival flick Roustabout. The film itself is indeed a carnival and many of the features produced by India's popular movie industry exhibit a similar mixture of ingredients in an attempt to meet the audience's every possible expectation. Veeru (Dharmendra) and Jaidev (Amitabh Bachchan) are two small-time troublemakers who in the past have run afoul of Thakur Baldev Singh (Sanjeev Kumar); the Thakur a former law officer has seen the pair's heroic nature despite their criminal ways. When a gang of bandits led by Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan) murders the Thakur's family and cuts off his arms rendering him helpless rather than killing him he enlists Veeru and Jaidev to help him seek revenge. In the Thakur's rural village the two bandits find romance and a hope for redemption and seek to free the village from Gabbar and his minions. The massive appeal in India of films like Sholay becomes evident; surprisingly it succeeds in almost every genre it attempts to play.

This 1975 film provides a superb look at popular Hindi cinema. Although it can be called an adventure , it has a spaghetti - western storyline , martial - arts sequences , comedy , soap - opera melodrama , and even musical numbers , including an early scene that has the two main characters riding a motorcycle and singing like Elvis Presley in the carnival flick , Roustabout . The film itself is indeed a carnival , and many of the features produced by India's popular movie industry exhibit a similar mixture of ingredients in an attempt to meet the audience's every possible expectation. Veeru ( Dharmendra ) and Jaidev ( Amitabh Bachchan ) are two small - time troublemakers who , in the past , have run afoul of Thakur Baldev Singh ( Sanjeev Kumar ); the Thakur , a former law officer , has seen the pair's heroic nature despite their criminal ways. When a gang of bandits led by Gabbar Singh ( Amjad Khan ) murders the Thakur's family and cuts off his arms , rendering him helpless rather than killing him , he enlists Veeru and Jaidev to help him seek revenge. In the Thakur's rural village , the two bandits find romance and a hope for redemption and seek to free the village from Gabbar and his minions. The massive appeal in India of films like Sholay becomes evident ; surprisingly , it succeeds in almost every genre it attempts to play.

Shaji Karun's love story takes its inspiration from Kathakali a dance-drama with a 500-year history which is indigenous to the Kerala region of India. In the late 1930s 10-year-old Kunhikuttan begins his training in this very taxing art form. When he is eighteen he is forced to marry someone he does not love. The marriage is disastrous. As he becomes more and more successful in his career he meets a young woman named Subhadra who is married to high society but somewhat lost in her gilded cage. Subhadra is obsessed by the hero of the Mahabarata Epic Arjuna who also loves a woman named Subhadra. She falls in love with Kunhikuttan who plays Arjuna on stage; but she is often confused between the real and the imaginary. The film which carries the habitual sadness of Karun's previous films Piravi and My Own is enriched with the photography of Renato Berta and Santosh Sivan and remarkable acting by one of Kerala's finest actors Mohanlal (who is also the co-producer) in the role of Kunhikuttan. 52nd Cannes Film Festival Un Certain Regard 1999.

Shaji Karun 's love story takes its inspiration from Kathakali , a dance - drama with a 500 - year history , which is indigenous to the Kerala region of India. In the late 1930s , 10 - year - old Kunhikuttan begins his training in this very taxing art form. When he is eighteen , he is forced to marry someone he does not love. The marriage is disastrous. As he becomes more and more successful in his career , he meets a young woman named Subhadra who is married to high society but somewhat lost in her gilded cage. Subhadra is obsessed by the hero of the Mahabarata Epic , Arjuna , who also loves a woman named Subhadra. She falls in love with Kunhikuttan , who plays Arjuna on stage ; but she is often confused between the real and the imaginary. The film , which carries the habitual sadness of Karun's previous films , Piravi and My Own , is enriched with the photography of Renato Berta and Santosh Sivan and remarkable acting by one of Kerala's finest actors , Mohanlal ( who is also the co - producer ), in the role of Kunhikuttan. 52nd Cannes Film Festival , Un Certain Regard , 1999.

harat Mata (Mother India) was Indian filmmaker Mehboob Khan's remake of his own 1940 film Aurat (Woman). The intervening years had somewhat altered Mehboob's attitudes towards his characters and their surroundings. In the original Aurat an Indian mother (Sardar Akhtar) suffers monumentally on behalf of her two sons much to the disinterest of the rural community where she lives. In the remake the mother (now played by Nargis) likewise suffers but her plight now affects her entire village even inspiring her neighbors to shed their own selfishness. What was once a wholly personal drama has been expanded to near-mythical dimensions. The ending however is still tragic with the long-suffering heroine being forced to kill one of her own offspring to uphold the family's honor. Enormously popular in its native India Bharat Mata remained in constant reissue throughout the next four decades.

Bharat Mata ( Mother India ) was Indian filmmaker Mehboob Khan 's remake of his own 1940 film Aurat ( Woman ) . The intervening years had somewhat altered Mehboob's attitudes towards his characters and their surroundings. In the original Aurat , an Indian mother ( Sardar Akhtar ) suffers monumentally on behalf of her two sons , much to the disinterest of the rural community where she lives. In the remake , the mother ( now played by Nargis ) likewise suffers , but her plight now affects her entire village , even inspiring her neighbors to shed their own selfishness. What was once a wholly personal drama has been expanded to near - mythical dimensions. The ending , however , is still tragic , with the long - suffering heroine being forced to kill one of her own offspring to uphold the family's honor. Enormously popular in its native India , Bharat Mata remained in constant reissue throughout the next four decades.

A dark drama of women living in a society where they are second-class citizens Kadosh/Sacred begins with Meir an Orthodox Jew living in the Mea Shearim district of Jerusalem greeting the day with his morning prayers which includes the phrase "Thank you oh Lord for not having made me a woman." Meir begins to understand just how poorly regarded women can be in the Orthodox faith when his rabbi suggests he should leave his wife. Meir and Rivka (Yael Abecassis) have been married for ten years and have a solid relationship based on affection and mutual respect. However they have been unable to have children and as Meir is reminded the Talmud says a woman without children may as well be dead. Consequently the rabbi advises Meir to divorce Rivka and take up with a younger woman who can give him a family. Meanwhile Rivka's younger sister Malka (Meital Barda) is soon to wed Yossef (Uri Ran Klauzner) in a match arranged by their parents even though Malka loves another man Yaakov (Sami Hori) who has dared to question the teachings of the Orthodox faith. Yossef soon proves to be blind to Malka's emotional and physical needs and she begins to wonder how long she can continue to live within this circle even though it is the only world she knows. Destined to be controversial in its native Israel Kadosh/Sacred was shown in competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.

A dark drama of women living in a society where they are second - class citizens , Kadosh / Sacred begins with Meir , an Orthodox Jew living in the Mea Shearim district of Jerusalem , greeting the day with his morning prayers , which includes the phrase , "Thank you , oh Lord , for not having made me a woman." Meir begins to understand just how poorly regarded women can be in the Orthodox faith when his rabbi suggests he should leave his wife. Meir and Rivka ( Yael Abecassis ) have been married for ten years and have a solid relationship based on affection and mutual respect. However , they have been unable to have children , and as Meir is reminded , the Talmud says a woman without children may as well be dead. Consequently , the rabbi advises Meir to divorce Rivka and take up with a younger woman who can give him a family. Meanwhile , Rivka's younger sister , Malka ( Meital Barda ), is soon to wed Yossef ( Uri Ran Klauzner ) in a match arranged by their parents , even though Malka loves another man , Yaakov ( Sami Hori ), who has dared to question the teachings of the Orthodox faith. Yossef soon proves to be blind to Malka's emotional and physical needs , and she begins to wonder how long she can continue to live within this circle , even though it is the only world she knows. Destined to be controversial in its native Israel , Kadosh / Sacred was shown in competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival .

An amalgam of fairy tales penned by Jewish author Isaac Bashevis Singer this charming animated musical tale is set in Chelm a mythical Polish hamlet populated by fools. Chelm became so after one of God's cherubs -- charged by Yaweh to sprinkle foolishness throughout his newly created earth to temper the intelligence and wisdom distributed by other small angels -- clumsily dumps all of the idiot dust on the tiny town. The stuff is potent and no wisdom or even common sense can be found amongst its residents. One day orphan Aaron is sent there to be raised by his Uncle Schlemiel and Aunt Sarah. Aaron brings with him his wise bespectacled goat Zlateh. As the only sources of intelligent life in town it is up to them to save the people from the wicked machinations of a sorcerer seeking to steal the Book of Marvels from the town hall so he can release a destructive golem a hideous monster made of clay to ruin Chelm. Featuring detailed background work and only average animation the story's appeal is for very young children though some may not understand some of the Yiddish words used throughout. The songs were penned by Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof) and Michel Legrand (Yentl).

An amalgam of fairy tales penned by Jewish author Isaac Bashevis Singer , this charming animated musical tale is set in Chelm , a mythical Polish hamlet populated by fools. Chelm became so after one of God's cherubs -- charged by Yaweh to sprinkle foolishness throughout his newly created earth to temper the intelligence and wisdom distributed by other small angels -- clumsily dumps all of the idiot dust on the tiny town. The stuff is potent , and no wisdom or even common sense can be found amongst its residents. One day , orphan Aaron is sent there to be raised by his Uncle Schlemiel and Aunt Sarah. Aaron brings with him his wise , bespectacled goat Zlateh. As the only sources of intelligent life in town , it is up to them to save the people from the wicked machinations of a sorcerer seeking to steal the Book of Marvels from the town hall so he can release a destructive golem , a hideous monster made of clay , to ruin Chelm. Featuring detailed background work and only average animation , the story's appeal is for very young children , though some may not understand some of the Yiddish words used throughout. The songs were penned by Sheldon Harnick ( Fiddler on the Roof ) and Michel Legrand ( Yentl ) .

Tenor Plácido Domingo and soprano Teresa Stratas star in director Franco Zeffirelli's lushly cinematic version of Verdi's opera La Traviata ("The Woman Gone Astray") a story of doomed love in 1840s Paris. Violetta (Stratas) who is the mistress of a wealthy baron hosts a lavish party to celebrate her improved health after a bout with tuberculosis. There she meets Alfredo (Domingo) and becomes smitten with him as he she and the guests join in the famous "Drinking Song." Violetta leaves the baron and she and Alfredo move into a secluded country villa together where they live happily for a while. But unknown to Alfredo his father (baritone Cornell MacNeil) convinces Violetta that continuing her relationship with Alfredo will prevent Alfredo's sister from making a good marriage. With great sadness Violetta decides that she must not only break permanently with Alfredo she must keep him at a distance by returning to the baron. Misunderstanding her motives Alfredo goes into a jealous rage that leads to tragic consequences.

Tenor Plácido Domingo and soprano Teresa Stratas star in director Franco Zeffirelli 's lushly cinematic version of Verdi 's opera La Traviata ( "The Woman Gone Astray" ), a story of doomed love in 1840s Paris. Violetta ( Stratas ), who is the mistress of a wealthy baron , hosts a lavish party to celebrate her improved health after a bout with tuberculosis. There she meets Alfredo ( Domingo ) and becomes smitten with him as he , she , and the guests join in the famous "Drinking Song." Violetta leaves the baron , and she and Alfredo move into a secluded country villa together , where they live happily for a while. But unknown to Alfredo , his father ( baritone Cornell MacNeil ) convinces Violetta that continuing her relationship with Alfredo will prevent Alfredo's sister from making a good marriage. With great sadness , Violetta decides that she must not only break permanently with Alfredo , she must keep him at a distance by returning to the baron. Misunderstanding her motives , Alfredo goes into a jealous rage that leads to tragic consequences.

In Sergio Leone's epic Western shot partly in Monument Valley a revenge story becomes an epic contemplation of the Western past. To get his hands on prime railroad land in Sweetwater crippled railroad baron Morton (Gabriele Ferzetti) hires killers led by blue-eyed sadist Frank (Henry Fonda) who wipe out property owner Brett McBain (Frank Wolff) and his family. McBain's newly arrived bride Jill (Claudia Cardinale) however inherits it instead. Both outlaw Cheyenne (Jason Robards) and lethally mysterious Harmonica (Charles Bronson) take it upon themselves to look after Jill and thwart Frank's plans to seize her land. As alliances and betrayals mutate it soon becomes clear that Harmonica wants to get Frank for another reason -- it has "something to do with death." As in his "Dollars" trilogy Leone transforms the standard Western plot through the visual impact of widescreen landscapes and the figures therein. At its full length Once Upon a Time in the West is Leone's operatic masterwork worthy of its legend-making title.

In Sergio Leone 's epic Western , shot partly in Monument Valley , a revenge story becomes an epic contemplation of the Western past. To get his hands on prime railroad land in Sweetwater , crippled railroad baron Morton ( Gabriele Ferzetti ) hires killers , led by blue - eyed sadist Frank ( Henry Fonda ), who wipe out property owner Brett McBain ( Frank Wolff ) and his family. McBain's newly arrived bride , Jill ( Claudia Cardinale ), however , inherits it instead. Both outlaw Cheyenne ( Jason Robards ) and lethally mysterious Harmonica ( Charles Bronson ) take it upon themselves to look after Jill and thwart Frank's plans to seize her land. As alliances and betrayals mutate , it soon becomes clear that Harmonica wants to get Frank for another reason -- it has "something to do with death." As in his " Dollars " trilogy , Leone transforms the standard Western plot through the visual impact of widescreen landscapes and the figures therein. At its full length , Once Upon a Time in the West is Leone 's operatic masterwork , worthy of its legend - making title.

Georges Bizet's 1875 opera about Carmen the colorful cigarette factory worker whose flirtations with the soldier Don José are forgotten in her love for the matador Escamillo is the source for director Francesco Rosi's cinematic version of the same story. Plácido Domingo sings the part of Don José Julia Migenes-Johnson sings Carmen and Ruggero Raimondi is Escamillo. Although there is nothing to fault in the singing itself some viewers may feel that director Rosi has stayed closer to a stage production than the medium of film would warrant. Carmen received the 1984 Cesar award for "Best Sound."

Georges Bizet 's 1875 opera about Carmen , the colorful cigarette factory worker whose flirtations with the soldier Don José are forgotten in her love for the matador Escamillo , is the source for director Francesco Rosi 's cinematic version of the same story. Plácido Domingo sings the part of Don José , Julia Migenes - Johnson sings Carmen , and Ruggero Raimondi is Escamillo. Although there is nothing to fault in the singing itself , some viewers may feel that director Rosi has stayed closer to a stage production than the medium of film would warrant. Carmen received the 1984 Cesar award for "Best Sound."

Nights of Cabiria opens with Cabiria (Giulietta Masina) and her boyfriend playfully embracing by the seaside -- and then he shoves her into the water and steals her purse. Cabiria is revived by some local boys and runs off by herself shouting. What follows is a series of similarly humiliating episodes in which the defiantly positive prostitute Cabiria is hurt but never broken. She gets picked up by movie star Alberto Lazzati (Amedeo Nazzari doing a self-parody) and taken to his palatial estate. However his mistress shows up and Cabiria gets locked in the bathroom all night with the dog. She then joins her fellow prostitutes for a blessing from the Virgin Mary and ends up getting drunk and wandering into a local show where the hypnotist invites her to join him on-stage. The audience heckles her and she toughly reminds them of her independence and that she owns her own house. There she meets Oscar (François Perier) an accountant who romantically pursues her. Despite the warnings of her fellow prostitute friend Wanda (Franca Marzi) she prepares to sell all her belongings and accept Oscar's proposal of marriage. After being ruthlessly taken advantage of once again Cabiria walks off alone with a smirk of hope.

Nights of Cabiria opens with Cabiria ( Giulietta Masina ) and her boyfriend playfully embracing by the seaside -- and then he shoves her into the water and steals her purse. Cabiria is revived by some local boys and runs off by herself , shouting. What follows is a series of similarly humiliating episodes , in which the defiantly positive prostitute Cabiria is hurt , but never broken. She gets picked up by movie star Alberto Lazzati ( Amedeo Nazzari , doing a self - parody ) and taken to his palatial estate. However , his mistress shows up and Cabiria gets locked in the bathroom all night with the dog. She then joins her fellow prostitutes for a blessing from the Virgin Mary , and ends up getting drunk and wandering into a local show , where the hypnotist invites her to join him on - stage. The audience heckles her , and she toughly reminds them of her independence and that she owns her own house. There she meets Oscar ( François Perier ), an accountant who romantically pursues her. Despite the warnings of her fellow prostitute friend , Wanda ( Franca Marzi ), she prepares to sell all her belongings and accept Oscar's proposal of marriage. After being ruthlessly taken advantage of once again , Cabiria walks off alone with a smirk of hope.

Vittorio De Sica directs the lyrical war drama Il Giardino dei Finzi-Contini (The Garden of the Finzi-Continis) based on a book by Giorgio Bassani. In Ferrara Italy at the beginning of WWII anti-Semitism is spreading. Mussolini has passed several laws that forbid Jews from going to public schools joining the army or marrying non-Jews. While many middle-class Jewish families flee the country the Finzi-Continis believe it's safe inside their sprawling estate. As a wealthy aristocratic Jewish family they think their luxurious garden walls will protect them from fascism. Micol Finzi Contini (Dominique Sanda) and her brother (Helmut Berger) invite their Jewish friends to join them in the estate for parties tennis and games while the war ravages on. Middle-class Jew Giorgio (Lino Capolicchio) attends the parties with his friend Malnate (Fabio Testi). Giorgio and Micol are childhood sweethearts but she begins to reject him in favor of Malnate. She also refuses to accept that there's a war going on. Eventually they can pretend no longer and the war closes in on them. The Garden of the Finzi-Continis won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 1971.

Vittorio De Sica directs the lyrical war drama Il Giardino dei Finzi - Contini ( The Garden of the Finzi - Continis ), based on a book by Giorgio Bassani . In Ferrara , Italy , at the beginning of WWII , anti - Semitism is spreading. Mussolini has passed several laws that forbid Jews from going to public schools , joining the army , or marrying non - Jews. While many middle - class Jewish families flee the country , the Finzi - Continis believe it's safe inside their sprawling estate. As a wealthy , aristocratic Jewish family , they think their luxurious garden walls will protect them from fascism. Micol Finzi Contini ( Dominique Sanda ) and her brother ( Helmut Berger ) invite their Jewish friends to join them in the estate for parties , tennis , and games while the war ravages on. Middle - class Jew Giorgio ( Lino Capolicchio ) attends the parties with his friend Malnate ( Fabio Testi ) . Giorgio and Micol are childhood sweethearts , but she begins to reject him in favor of Malnate. She also refuses to accept that there's a war going on. Eventually they can pretend no longer , and the war closes in on them. The Garden of the Finzi - Continis won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 1971.

Federico Fellini's warmly nostalgic memory piece examines daily life in the Italian village of Rimini during the reign of Mussolini and won the 1974 Academy Award as Best Foreign Film. The film's greatest asset is its ability to be sweet without being cloying due in great part to Danilo Donati's surrealistic art direction and to the frequently bawdy injections of sex and politics by screenwriters Fellini and Tonino Guerra. Fellini clearly has deep affection for the people of this seaside village warts and all and communicates it through episodic visual anecdotes which are seen as if through the mists of a favorite dream playfully scored by Nino Rota and lovingly photographed by Giuseppe Rotunno.

Federico Fellini 's warmly nostalgic memory piece examines daily life in the Italian village of Rimini during the reign of Mussolini , and won the 1974 Academy Award as Best Foreign Film. The film's greatest asset is its ability to be sweet without being cloying , due in great part to Danilo Donati 's surrealistic art direction and to the frequently bawdy injections of sex and politics by screenwriters Fellini and Tonino Guerra . Fellini clearly has deep affection for the people of this seaside village , warts and all , and communicates it through episodic visual anecdotes which are seen as if through the mists of a favorite dream , playfully scored by Nino Rota and lovingly photographed by Giuseppe Rotunno .

efore Al Pacino ever picked up a blind man's cane in the 1992 production of Scent of A Woman Vittorio Gassman played a blind army captain in the 1974 Italian film Profumo di Donna based on a novel by Giovanni Arpino. The earlier film unquestionably inspired the later one though they differ significantly. The Captain accompanied by Ciccio (Alessandro Momo) who has been assigned to him by the army is on his way from Turin to Naples to meet with an army compatriot who was also disfigured in the same military incident. Unknown to his aide the Captain means to fulfill a suicide pact there. While they journey the captain asks Ciccio to help him spot beautiful women. Unsatisfied with the boy's descriptions he uses his nose instead claiming that he can smell a beautiful woman. The dashing blind military man enjoys considerable success with women. During their journey he carries with him a picture of his beloved Sara (Agostina Belli) whom he could not bear to have see him disfigured and helpless. The suicide pact is eventually thwarted Sara enters the picture and the boy Ciccio does some much-needed growing up.

Before Al Pacino ever picked up a blind man's cane in the 1992 production of Scent of A Woman , Vittorio Gassman played a blind army captain in the 1974 Italian film Profumo di Donna , based on a novel by Giovanni Arpino . The earlier film unquestionably inspired the later one , though they differ significantly. The Captain , accompanied by Ciccio ( Alessandro Momo ), who has been assigned to him by the army , is on his way from Turin to Naples to meet with an army compatriot who was also disfigured in the same military incident. Unknown to his aide , the Captain means to fulfill a suicide pact there. While they journey , the captain asks Ciccio to help him spot beautiful women. Unsatisfied with the boy's descriptions , he uses his nose instead , claiming that he can smell a beautiful woman. The dashing blind military man enjoys considerable success with women. During their journey , he carries with him a picture of his beloved Sara ( Agostina Belli ), whom he could not bear to have see him disfigured and helpless. The suicide pact is eventually thwarted , Sara enters the picture , and the boy Ciccio does some much - needed growing up.

Francesco Rosi utilizes the breathtakingly beautiful Italian landscape in an unspecified Italian city to hatch this mystery film involving murder and corruption in high places. As the film begins a well-known prosecutor is killed. The murder turns out to be the first in a series of murders -- and all the victims are judges. With Italy lapsing into chaos because of the crimes the craggy and careworn Inspector Rogas (Lino Ventura) is brought in to solve the murders. Rogas thinks that a man sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit is the person responsible for the killings. But when Rogas reports that fact to his superiors they want nothing to do with the case. When more killings occur Rogas uncovers a plot involving his superiors who are using one man's revenge murder as a ploy in order to affect nefarious changes on the entire country.

Francesco Rosi utilizes the breathtakingly beautiful Italian landscape in an unspecified Italian city to hatch this mystery film involving murder and corruption in high places. As the film begins , a well - known prosecutor is killed. The murder turns out to be the first in a series of murders -- and all the victims are judges. With Italy lapsing into chaos because of the crimes , the craggy and careworn Inspector Rogas ( Lino Ventura ) is brought in to solve the murders. Rogas thinks that a man , sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit , is the person responsible for the killings. But when Rogas reports that fact to his superiors , they want nothing to do with the case. When more killings occur , Rogas uncovers a plot involving his superiors who are using one man's revenge murder as a ploy in order to affect nefarious changes on the entire country.

The sweet sentimental gauze of director Giuseppe Tornatore's international hit Cinema Paradiso (1988) is nowhere to be found in this dark Kafkaesque crime thriller that takes place stage play-style mostly in the confines of one room. Gerard Depardieu stars as Onoff a famed author who has become a recluse in recent years publishing nothing. Late one night he is picked up by police officers who find him running across the French countryside in the rain breathless and apparently suffering from short-term memory loss. A murder has been committed in the nearby woods and suspecting Onoff's involvement the authorities detain him at a leaky dark command post to await the arrival of an inspector (Roman Polanski) ironically a fan of Onoff's work who will interrogate his subject and try to arrive at the truth. Una Pura Formalita (1994) was produced simultaneously with Polanski's Death and the Maiden (1994) another film with a stage-bound quality featuring a long stormy night's interrogation in a single room.

The sweet sentimental gauze of director Giuseppe Tornatore 's international hit Cinema Paradiso ( 1988 ) is nowhere to be found in this dark , Kafka esque crime thriller that takes place , stage play - style , mostly in the confines of one room. Gerard Depardieu stars as Onoff , a famed author who has become a recluse in recent years , publishing nothing. Late one night he is picked up by police officers , who find him running across the French countryside in the rain , breathless and apparently suffering from short - term memory loss. A murder has been committed in the nearby woods , and suspecting Onoff's involvement , the authorities detain him at a leaky , dark command post to await the arrival of an inspector ( Roman Polanski ), ironically a fan of Onoff's work , who will interrogate his subject and try to arrive at the truth. Una Pura Formalita ( 1994 ) was produced simultaneously with Polanski 's Death and the Maiden ( 1994 ), another film with a stage - bound quality featuring a long , stormy night's interrogation in a single room.

In this remake of the 1983 Ardiente Paciencia by Antonio Skarmeta the time and place have been changed to Italy in the 1950s but the relationship between the Chilean Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda and Mario (Massimo Troisi) the postman who delivers his copious mail is still the focus of attention. In this version of the story scripted by a collective of Anna Pavignano the director Michael Radford Troisi himself and a few others (based on Skarmeta's original story) Neruda is an aloof and slightly elitist figure who is seeking solitude on an island off the coast of Italy taking a respite from political problems at home. Mario is a poet at heart and employs every measure he is capable of inventing to win his way into the affections and attention of the great author. As his efforts start to bear fruit and Neruda unbends and begins to share conversation and philosophy with Mario the postman idolizes the poet all the more. Eventually Neruda shares his leftist political philosophy as well -- and helps him win over the captivating Beatrice the woman of Mario's dreams. When Neruda leaves Mario enters into high gear as he prepares material for the next time he sees Neruda -- his ardor and patience alluded to in the original title -- are essentially indestructible. (Massimo Troisi) was fated never to know that Il Postino would receive worldwide acclaim and be nominated for an Oscar for "Best Picture" in 1995 (the first foreign film nominated in that category since Ingmar Bergman's Cries and Whispers 22 years earlier). Suffering from a heart ailment and unable to work more than an hour or two on the filming of Il Postino each day he died in his sleep at the age of 41 the day after shooting ended on the film.

In this remake of the 1983 Ardiente Paciencia by Antonio Skarmeta , the time and place have been changed to Italy in the 1950s , but the relationship between the Chilean Nobel Prize - winning poet Pablo Neruda and Mario ( Massimo Troisi ), the postman who delivers his copious mail , is still the focus of attention. In this version of the story , scripted by a collective of Anna Pavignano , the director Michael Radford , Troisi himself , and a few others ( based on Skarmeta 's original story ), Neruda is an aloof and slightly elitist figure who is seeking solitude on an island off the coast of Italy , taking a respite from political problems at home. Mario is a poet at heart and employs every measure he is capable of inventing to win his way into the affections and attention of the great author. As his efforts start to bear fruit and Neruda unbends and begins to share conversation and philosophy with Mario , the postman idolizes the poet all the more. Eventually , Neruda shares his leftist political philosophy as well -- and helps him win over the captivating Beatrice , the woman of Mario's dreams. When Neruda leaves , Mario enters into high gear as he prepares material for the next time he sees Neruda -- his ardor and patience , alluded to in the original title -- are essentially indestructible. ( Massimo Troisi ) was fated never to know that Il Postino would receive worldwide acclaim and be nominated for an Oscar for "Best Picture" in 1995 ( the first foreign film nominated in that category since Ingmar Bergman 's Cries and Whispers 22 years earlier ) . Suffering from a heart ailment and unable to work more than an hour or two on the filming of Il Postino each day , he died in his sleep at the age of 41 , the day after shooting ended on the film.

etter known as Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion this Oscar-winning political drama stars Gian Maria Volonte as the citizen of the title an unnamed police inspector. The story finds the inspector calmly cutting his mistress' throat then planting evidence that will clear him of accusation -- and attempting to evade arrest by virtue of his "clean" public image. Elio Petri's own anti-establishment stance was never more pronounced than in this film where the truth is whatever the ruling class chooses to acknowledge. The original Italian title of Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion was Indagine su un Cittadino al di Sopra di Ogna Sospetto.

Better known as Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion , this Oscar - winning political drama stars Gian Maria Volonte as the citizen of the title , an unnamed police inspector. The story finds the inspector calmly cutting his mistress' throat , then planting evidence that will clear him of accusation -- and attempting to evade arrest by virtue of his "clean" public image. Elio Petri 's own anti - establishment stance was never more pronounced than in this film , where the truth is whatever the ruling class chooses to acknowledge. The original Italian title of Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion was Indagine su un Cittadino al di Sopra di Ogna Sospetto .

Vittorio De Sica's A Brief Vacation (Una Breva Vacanza) stars Florinda Bolkan as a downtrodden working woman. Forced to support herself her children her physically incapacitated husband and her obtrusive brother and mother Bolkan contracts tuberculosis. She is granted a brief vacation at a health spa where a whole new world--and potential new life--is opened up to her. A Brief Vacation was scripted by the prolific Cesar Zavattini who like De Sica had once been a guiding force in the Italian neorealist movement. Though not De Sica's final film A Brief Vacation was the last of the director's work to be released in America.

Vittorio De Sica 's A Brief Vacation ( Una Breva Vacanza ) stars Florinda Bolkan as a downtrodden working woman. Forced to support herself , her children , her physically incapacitated husband and her obtrusive brother and mother , Bolkan contracts tuberculosis. She is granted a brief vacation at a health spa , where a whole new world -- and potential new life -- is opened up to her. A Brief Vacation was scripted by the prolific Cesar Zavattini , who like De Sica had once been a guiding force in the Italian neorealist movement. Though not De Sica 's final film , A Brief Vacation was the last of the director's work to be released in America.

Director Francesco Rosi earned a Best Foreign Film Academy Award nomination for his drama Tre Fratelli (Three Brothers) an adaptation of a work by Andrei Platonov. When the matriarch of an Italian family dies the husband brings his three boys each of whom are facing difficult personal problems back to their farmhouse. Raffaele (Philippe Noiret) is a judge who fears being executed over the politically unsettling case over which he is presiding. Rocco (Vittorio Mezzogiorno) is quite religious and dreams of helping troubled teenagers. Nicola (Michele Placido) is a worker involved in a labor dispute as well as a failed marriage. Each of the men grieves in his own way while also wrestling with the other emotional issues that are pressing on them.

Director Francesco Rosi earned a Best Foreign Film Academy Award nomination for his drama Tre Fratelli ( Three Brothers ), an adaptation of a work by Andrei Platonov . When the matriarch of an Italian family dies , the husband brings his three boys , each of whom are facing difficult personal problems , back to their farmhouse. Raffaele ( Philippe Noiret ) is a judge who fears being executed over the politically unsettling case over which he is presiding. Rocco ( Vittorio Mezzogiorno ) is quite religious and dreams of helping troubled teenagers. Nicola ( Michele Placido ) is a worker involved in a labor dispute as well as a failed marriage. Each of the men grieves in his own way , while also wrestling with the other emotional issues that are pressing on them.

Italian filmmaker Lina Wertmuller directs the black comedy Pasqualino Settebellezze (Seven Beauties). During WWII Pasqualino Frafuso (Giancarlo Giannini) ends up lost in a dense forest along with fellow army deserter Francesco (Piero De Orio). After they witness a mass execution by German soldiers Francesco admits his moral opposition to the Nazis and Pasqualino reveals his criminal past in a series of flashbacks. Back in Naples he was known as "Pasqualino Seven Beauties" a petty thief who lived off the profits of his seven sisters while claiming to protect their honor at any cost. When Totonno (Mario Conti) pimps out his sister Concettina (Elena Fiore) Pasqualino kills him chops up his body and mails each piece across the country. He is then arrested and sent to a mental institution where he commits sexual assault against another patient. Kicked out of the asylum he is sent to fight in the army. The Germans capture him and he gets sent to a concentration camp. He then plots to make his escape by demoralizing himself in an attempt to seduce a German officer (Shirley Stoler). Seven Beauties was nominated for four Academy Awards in 1977 including Best Foreign Film.

Italian filmmaker Lina Wertmuller directs the black comedy Pasqualino Settebellezze ( Seven Beauties ) . During WWII , Pasqualino Frafuso ( Giancarlo Giannini ) ends up lost in a dense forest along with fellow army deserter Francesco ( Piero De Orio ) . After they witness a mass execution by German soldiers , Francesco admits his moral opposition to the Nazis and Pasqualino reveals his criminal past in a series of flashbacks. Back in Naples , he was known as "Pasqualino Seven Beauties , " a petty thief who lived off the profits of his seven sisters while claiming to protect their honor at any cost. When Totonno ( Mario Conti ) pimps out his sister Concettina ( Elena Fiore ), Pasqualino kills him , chops up his body , and mails each piece across the country. He is then arrested and sent to a mental institution , where he commits sexual assault against another patient. Kicked out of the asylum , he is sent to fight in the army. The Germans capture him and he gets sent to a concentration camp. He then plots to make his escape by demoralizing himself in an attempt to seduce a German officer ( Shirley Stoler ) . Seven Beauties was nominated for four Academy Awards in 1977 , including Best Foreign Film.

Lina Wertmuller's fifth feature The Seduction of Mimi stars the director's favorite leading man Giancarlo Giannini. Giannini plays the muddler of the title who can't keep apace with the exigencies of a cruel callous society (this character would be honed to perfection in Wertmuller's subsequent Seven Beauties); his political and sexual ignorance land him in hot water time and again. Wertmuller devotes much of the picture's running time to lengthy monologues and diatribes involving sex and politics; the film attained notoriety for its infamous sequence of Giannini bedding an obese woman. Wertmuller won a Best Director prize at the Cannes Film Festival for her work in this picture. Originally titled Mimi Mettalurgio Ferito nell'Onore the film has also been released as Mimi the Metalworker and Wounded in Honor. It was remade (very loosely) by Richard Pryor as Which Way Is Up? (1977).

Lina Wertmuller 's fifth feature , The Seduction of Mimi , stars the director's favorite leading man , Giancarlo Giannini . Giannini plays the muddler of the title , who can't keep apace with the exigencies of a cruel , callous society ( this character would be honed to perfection in Wertmuller 's subsequent Seven Beauties ); his political and sexual ignorance land him in hot water time and again. Wertmuller devotes much of the picture's running time to lengthy monologues and diatribes involving sex and politics ; the film attained notoriety for its infamous sequence of Giannini bedding an obese woman. Wertmuller won a Best Director prize at the Cannes Film Festival for her work in this picture. Originally titled Mimi Mettalurgio Ferito nell'Onore , the film has also been released as Mimi the Metalworker and Wounded in Honor . It was remade ( very loosely ) by Richard Pryor as Which Way Is Up? ( 1977 ) .

In Tuscan lore the evening of August 10th is la notte di san lorenzo (the night of the shooting stars). Each of these stars is believed to grant one wish. In this celebrated film by Italy's Taviani brothers a woman asks for the words to tell her son about that same night during the last days of World War II. The Nazis occupied Italy and the fascists had mined her small Tuscan village of San Martino. Skeptical of the fascists' promise that all peasants will be safe in San Martino's cathedral a group of villagers opt to leave and search for the Italian partisans and advancing American forces. Among those to depart is the woman then only six years old. La Notte di San Lorenzo is the story of the villagers' remarkable exodus the fate of those left behind and the partisan struggle against fascism -- lyrically intertwined with their thoughts loves fears and memories as well as the fantasies of a young girl experiencing the tragedy she perceives to be her greatest adventure.

In Tuscan lore , the evening of August 10th is la notte di san lorenzo ( the night of the shooting stars ) . Each of these stars is believed to grant one wish. In this celebrated film by Italy's Taviani brothers , a woman asks for the words to tell her son about that same night during the last days of World War II. The Nazis occupied Italy and the fascists had mined her small Tuscan village of San Martino. Skeptical of the fascists' promise that all peasants will be safe in San Martino's cathedral , a group of villagers opt to leave and search for the Italian partisans and advancing American forces. Among those to depart is the woman , then only six years old. La Notte di San Lorenzo is the story of the villagers' remarkable exodus , the fate of those left behind , and the partisan struggle against fascism -- lyrically intertwined with their thoughts , loves , fears , and memories , as well as the fantasies of a young girl experiencing the tragedy she perceives to be her greatest adventure.

Originally released in Italy as Film d'Amore e d'Anarchia Lina Wertmuller's Love and Anarchy is set in the fascist-dominated Italy of the 1930s. Giancarlo Giannini plays an idealistic farmer swept up in an anti-fascist underground movement. His first task as a member is to assassinate Mussolini (talk about your initiation stunts!) While preparing to carry out his assignment Giannini takes up residence in a whorehouse run by Mariangela Melato another anti-Mussolinite. Giannini's resolve to carry out the assassination is weakened by his love for one of Melato's prostitutes as well as his own essentially gentle nature. Love and Anarchy was the first of Wertmuller's films to gain a U.S. release.

Originally released in Italy as Film d'Amore e d'Anarchia , Lina Wertmuller's Love and Anarchy is set in the fascist - dominated Italy of the 1930s. Giancarlo Giannini plays an idealistic farmer swept up in an anti - fascist underground movement. His first task as a member is to assassinate Mussolini ( talk about your initiation stunts! ) While preparing to carry out his assignment , Giannini takes up residence in a whorehouse run by Mariangela Melato , another anti - Mussolinite. Giannini's resolve to carry out the assassination is weakened by his love for one of Melato's prostitutes , as well as his own essentially gentle nature. Love and Anarchy was the first of Wertmuller's films to gain a U.S. release.

Italy's fraternal filmmaking team of Paolo and Vittorio Taviani whip up another multistoried slice of life in Kaos. "Life" in this case is seen from the peculiar perspective of author Luigi Pirandello four of whose pieces are herein adapted. "The Other Son" finds Margarita Lozano making the best of her rocky relationship with her son who was the product of a rape. "Moonstruck" (no relation to the Cher vehicle of the same name) deals with a newlywed woman who is adversely affected by the full moon. The comedy team of Franco and Ciccio star in "The Jar" a fable concerning a feudal landlord and a merry-prankster jar manufacturer. And in "Conversing with Mother" the Tavianis go their usual route of forcing their characters to face the present by confronting the past by having Pirandello himself (Omero Antonutti) converse with the ghost of his long-departed mother (Regina Bianchi).

Italy's fraternal filmmaking team of Paolo and Vittorio Taviani whip up another multistoried slice of life in Kaos . "Life , " in this case , is seen from the peculiar perspective of author Luigi Pirandello , four of whose pieces are herein adapted. "The Other Son" finds Margarita Lozano making the best of her rocky relationship with her son , who was the product of a rape. "Moonstruck" ( no relation to the Cher vehicle of the same name ) deals with a newlywed woman who is adversely affected by the full moon. The comedy team of Franco and Ciccio star in "The Jar , " a fable concerning a feudal landlord and a merry - prankster jar manufacturer. And in "Conversing with Mother , " the Tavianis go their usual route of forcing their characters to face the present by confronting the past by having Pirandello himself ( Omero Antonutti ) converse with the ghost of his long - departed mother ( Regina Bianchi ) .

Intervista has been termed a semi-documentary: This is in fact the filmed autobiography of Italian director Federico Fellini framed in the form of an interview conducted by a Japanese film crew. As the interview progresses Fellini's mind wanders to his earliest days (the reenacted events conflict with several of the "official" stories of his life). His fascination with filmmaking is manifested in the "wonderland" atmosphere of the old Cinecitta studios. With the cooperation of Fellini's loyal co-workers we are permitted to see tantalizingly brief excerpts (some self-mocking) of Fellini's modus operandi. A visit by Fellini and guest-star Marcello Mastroianni to Anita Ekberg's home leads to a lavish (and poignant) "reliving" of the 1961 Fellini/Mastroianni/Ekberg effort La Dolce Vita. The climax of Intervista scene invokes Fellini's previous inward-looking classic 8 1/2 with a novel twist calculated to send the director's disciples home with a knowing smile.

Intervista has been termed a semi - documentary : This is in fact the filmed autobiography of Italian director Federico Fellini , framed in the form of an interview conducted by a Japanese film crew. As the interview progresses Fellini's mind wanders to his earliest days ( the reenacted events conflict with several of the "official" stories of his life ) . His fascination with filmmaking is manifested in the "wonderland" atmosphere of the old Cinecitta studios. With the cooperation of Fellini's loyal co - workers , we are permitted to see tantalizingly brief excerpts ( some self - mocking ) of Fellini's modus operandi. A visit by Fellini and guest - star Marcello Mastroianni to Anita Ekberg 's home leads to a lavish ( and poignant ) "reliving" of the 1961 Fellini / Mastroianni / Ekberg effort La Dolce Vita . The climax of Intervista scene invokes Fellini's previous inward - looking classic 8 1 / 2 , with a novel twist calculated to send the director's disciples home with a knowing smile.

This pulse-pounding follow-up to Sergio Leone's A Fistful of Dollars brings back Clint Eastwood as the serape-clad cigar-chewing "Man With No Name." Engaged in an ongoing battle with bounty hunter Col. Douglas Mortimer (Lee Van Cleef) the Man joins forces with his enemy to capture homicidal bandit Indio (Gian Maria Volontè). Both the Eastwood and Van Cleef characters are given understandable motivations for their bloodletting tendencies something that was lacking in A Fistful of Dollars. In both films however the violence is raw and uninhibited -- and in many ways curiously poetic. Leone's tense tight close-ups pregnant pauses and significant silences have since been absorbed into the standard spaghetti Western lexicon; likewise Ennio Morricone's haunting musical score has been endlessly imitated and parodied. For a Few Dollars More was originally titled Per Qualche Dollaro in Più; it would be followed by the last and best of the Man with No Name trilogy The Good the Bad and the Ugly.

This pulse - pounding follow - up to Sergio Leone 's A Fistful of Dollars brings back Clint Eastwood as the serape - clad , cigar - chewing "Man With No Name." Engaged in an ongoing battle with bounty hunter Col. Douglas Mortimer ( Lee Van Cleef ), the Man joins forces with his enemy to capture homicidal bandit Indio ( Gian Maria Volontè ) . Both the Eastwood and Van Cleef characters are given understandable motivations for their bloodletting tendencies , something that was lacking in A Fistful of Dollars . In both films , however , the violence is raw and uninhibited -- and in many ways , curiously poetic. Leone 's tense , tight close - ups , pregnant pauses , and significant silences have since been absorbed into the standard spaghetti Western lexicon ; likewise , Ennio Morricone 's haunting musical score has been endlessly imitated and parodied. For a Few Dollars More was originally titled Per Qualche Dollaro in Più ; it would be followed by the last and best of the Man with No Name trilogy , The Good , the Bad and the Ugly .

y the time Sergio Leone made this film Italians had already produced about 20 films ironically labelled "spaghetti westerns." Leone approached the genre with great love and humor. Although the plot was admittedly borrowed from Akira Kurosawa's Yojimbo (1961) Leone managed to create a work of his own that would serve as a model for many films to come. Clint Eastwood plays a cynical gunfighter who comes to a small border town and offers his services to two rivaling gangs. Neither gang is aware of his double play and each thinks it is using him but the stranger will outwit them both. The picture was the first installment in a cycle commonly known as the "Dollars" trilogy. Later United Artists who distributed it in the U.S. coined another term for it: the "Man With No Name" trilogy. While not as impressive as its follow-ups For a Few Dollars More (1965) and The Good the Bad and the Ugly (1966) A Fistful of Dollars contains all of Leone's eventual trademarks: taciturn characters precise framing extreme close-ups and the haunting music of Ennio Morricone. Not released in the U.S. until 1967 due to copyright problems the film was decisive in both Clint Eastwood's career and the recognition of the Italian western.

By the time Sergio Leone made this film , Italians had already produced about 20 films ironically labelled "spaghetti westerns." Leone approached the genre with great love and humor. Although the plot was admittedly borrowed from Akira Kurosawa 's Yojimbo ( 1961 ), Leone managed to create a work of his own that would serve as a model for many films to come. Clint Eastwood plays a cynical gunfighter who comes to a small border town and offers his services to two rivaling gangs. Neither gang is aware of his double play , and each thinks it is using him , but the stranger will outwit them both. The picture was the first installment in a cycle commonly known as the "Dollars" trilogy. Later , United Artists , who distributed it in the U.S. , coined another term for it : the "Man With No Name" trilogy. While not as impressive as its follow - ups For a Few Dollars More ( 1965 ) and The Good , the Bad , and the Ugly ( 1966 ), A Fistful of Dollars contains all of Leone 's eventual trademarks : taciturn characters , precise framing , extreme close - ups , and the haunting music of Ennio Morricone . Not released in the U.S. until 1967 due to copyright problems , the film was decisive in both Clint Eastwood 's career and the recognition of the Italian western.

Federico Fellini makes his most decadent undisciplined work in this free adaptation of Petronius' famous farcical chronicle of ancient Roman life. The film opens with Encolpio (Martin Potter) vying with his friend Ascilto (Hiram Keller) for the affections of a young effeminate lad named Gitone (Max Born). When the youth chooses his rival or him Encolpio begins a journey that has him encountering Romans of every stripe and color. He drops in on an orgy thrown by Trimalchio (Mario Romagnoli) a wealth-loving ex-slave who has spurned his wife in favor of a pleasures of a young boy; he toils on a slave galley fighting off the advances of Lichas (Alain Cuny) -- the ship's burly wall-eyed captain; he steals an albino hermaphrodite demi-god who is reputed to be able to tell the future; and fails to summon the enthusiasm to make love to a whore-priestess. Along the way we witness a parade of prostitutes in ancient Rome's pleasure quarters; watch performance by Vernacchio (Fanfulla) an actor whose on-stage specialties include farting and public amputation; and the wonton devouring of a human corpse for financial gain.

Federico Fellini makes his most decadent , undisciplined work in this free adaptation of Petronius' famous farcical chronicle of ancient Roman life. The film opens with Encolpio ( Martin Potter ) vying with his friend Ascilto ( Hiram Keller ) for the affections of a young effeminate lad named Gitone ( Max Born ) . When the youth chooses his rival or him , Encolpio begins a journey that has him encountering Romans of every stripe and color. He drops in on an orgy thrown by Trimalchio ( Mario Romagnoli ), a wealth - loving ex - slave who has spurned his wife in favor of a pleasures of a young boy ; he toils on a slave galley , fighting off the advances of Lichas ( Alain Cuny ) -- the ship's burly wall - eyed captain ; he steals an albino hermaphrodite demi - god who is reputed to be able to tell the future ; and fails to summon the enthusiasm to make love to a whore - priestess. Along the way , we witness a parade of prostitutes in ancient Rome's pleasure quarters ; watch performance by Vernacchio ( Fanfulla ), an actor whose on - stage specialties include farting and public amputation ; and the wonton devouring of a human corpse for financial gain.

ernardo Bertolucci's 255-minute 1900 was a gargantuan undertaking requiring the resources of three European countries and a trio of American movie studios. Set in the Italian town of Parma the film's continuity backtracks from Liberation Day in 1945 to the occasion of composer/patriot Giuseppe Verdi's death in 1901. We follow the lives of two men born on that day in 1901 who grow up to be Alfredo Berlinghieti (Robert De Niro) and Olmo Dalco (Gérard Depardieu). Wealthy Alfredo sinks into dissipation while poverty-stricken Olmo becomes a firebrand labor leader and communist. After WWI Alfredo is allowed to peacefully retain his land holdings by playing nice with the burgeoning fascists; Olmo on the other hand engages in a long-standing battle against the minions of Mussolini. The two protagonists are reunited when Alfredo returns to Parma to preside over Olmo's trial for "political crimes." Co-star Burt Lancaster is cast as Alfredo's wealthy grandfather who hates to see the old values buried beneath the social travails of the 20th century. Many American prints of 1900 were shortened to 243 minutes rendering the story hard to follow at times.

Bernardo Bertolucci 's 255 - minute 1900 was a gargantuan undertaking , requiring the resources of three European countries and a trio of American movie studios. Set in the Italian town of Parma , the film's continuity backtracks from Liberation Day in 1945 to the occasion of composer / patriot Giuseppe Verdi 's death in 1901. We follow the lives of two men born on that day in 1901 , who grow up to be Alfredo Berlinghieti ( Robert De Niro ) and Olmo Dalco ( Gérard Depardieu ) . Wealthy Alfredo sinks into dissipation , while poverty - stricken Olmo becomes a firebrand labor leader and communist. After WWI , Alfredo is allowed to peacefully retain his land holdings by playing nice with the burgeoning fascists ; Olmo , on the other hand , engages in a long - standing battle against the minions of Mussolini . The two protagonists are reunited when Alfredo returns to Parma to preside over Olmo's trial for "political crimes." Co - star Burt Lancaster is cast as Alfredo's wealthy grandfather , who hates to see the old values buried beneath the social travails of the 20th century. Many American prints of 1900 were shortened to 243 minutes , rendering the story hard to follow at times.

In Fiorile (US title: Wild Flower) Italy's Taviani brothers once again dissect the manners and mores of the Tuscany region. The story is predicated on a 200-year-old family curse. During the Napoleonic era Elizabetta "Fiorile" Benedetti (Galatea Ranzi) discovers that her own brother Corado (Claudio Bigagli) is responsible for the crime for which her lover Jean (Michael Vartan) was executed. The embittered Fiorile places a curse on the Benedetti family declaring that none of her brother's direct descendants will ever achieve true happiness. Over the next two centuries the Benedettis' ill-gotten wealth increases but they lose the love and respect of their neighbors. In fact most people prefer to call the Benedetti family the "Maledettis" or the Cursed Ones. The film's final episode occurs during World War II as Grandpa Massimo Benedetti (Renato Carpentieri) the last family member directly affected by the curse relates his tale of woe to a pair of youngsters. Will the curse die with Massimo or will the innocent young ones be forced to carry it into the next generation? Fiorile is not the sort of movie one sits back and relaxes with despite its leisurely pace; those willing to work with the film however will be amply rewarded.

In Fiorile ( US title : Wild Flower ), Italy's Taviani brothers once again dissect the manners and mores of the Tuscany region. The story is predicated on a 200 - year - old family curse. During the Napoleonic era , Elizabetta "Fiorile" Benedetti ( Galatea Ranzi ) discovers that her own brother Corado ( Claudio Bigagli ) is responsible for the crime for which her lover Jean ( Michael Vartan ) was executed. The embittered Fiorile places a curse on the Benedetti family , declaring that none of her brother's direct descendants will ever achieve true happiness. Over the next two centuries , the Benedettis' ill - gotten wealth increases , but they lose the love and respect of their neighbors. In fact , most people prefer to call the Benedetti family the "Maledettis , " or the Cursed Ones. The film's final episode occurs during World War II , as Grandpa Massimo Benedetti ( Renato Carpentieri ), the last family member directly affected by the curse , relates his tale of woe to a pair of youngsters. Will the curse die with Massimo , or will the innocent young ones be forced to carry it into the next generation? Fiorile is not the sort of movie one sits back and relaxes with , despite its leisurely pace ; those willing to work with the film , however , will be amply rewarded.

Italian chemist turned author Primo Levi was interred at Auschwitz during WW II until 1945. Following his release he returned to his native Turin and penned the wrenching autobiographical account of life in the concentration camp If This Is a Man. In 1962 he wrote a companion book The Truce a chronicle of his hellish nine-month journey from the camp to Turin. Both books are crucial entries in the history of the Holocaust. This careful adaptation of the second book took filmmaker Francesco Rosi 10 years to make. Levi's trek begins when shortly after the Germans leave four Russian horsemen ride up and tear down the gates of Auschwitz. Levi is quickly aboard one of the first outbound trucks. Over the next few months he goes to many different countries and along the way he meets and is befriended by assorted fellow travelers. Through them his appreciation of life and freedom slowly returns but with it also comes a deep rage and an abiding guilt at having survived a guilt that may have led Levi to suicide in 1987.

Italian chemist turned author Primo Levi was interred at Auschwitz during WW II until 1945. Following his release , he returned to his native Turin and penned the wrenching autobiographical account of life in the concentration camp If This Is a Man. In 1962 , he wrote a companion book , The Truce , a chronicle of his hellish nine - month journey from the camp to Turin. Both books are crucial entries in the history of the Holocaust. This careful adaptation of the second book took filmmaker Francesco Rosi 10 years to make. Levi's trek begins when shortly after the Germans leave , four Russian horsemen ride up and tear down the gates of Auschwitz. Levi is quickly aboard one of the first outbound trucks. Over the next few months , he goes to many different countries , and along the way he meets and is befriended by assorted fellow travelers. Through them , his appreciation of life and freedom slowly returns , but with it also comes a deep rage and an abiding guilt at having survived , a guilt that may have led Levi to suicide in 1987.

Veteran animator Hayao Miyazaki directs this buoyant children's adventure yarn about a young witch striking out on her own. At her mother's behest 13-year-old Kiki sets out on a year-long apprenticeship with her black cat in tow. With a shaky command of her broom she ends up in a charming little coastal town that looks like a cross between the French provincial and San Francisco. Unfortunately the local hotels have a strict "no witches" policy and the police have taken a dim view of her recent aerial mischief-making. She's saved from the street by a kindly baker's wife who offers her room and board in exchange for her delivering by broom the baker's wares. Soon she befriends a college-aged artist an old women who fusses over her and a boy her same age who is nursing a massive crush. All is well until she wakes up one day and realizes that she can't make her broom levitate nor can she talk to her cat. What will Kiki do?

Veteran animator Hayao Miyazaki directs this buoyant children's adventure yarn about a young witch striking out on her own. At her mother's behest , 13 - year - old Kiki sets out on a year - long apprenticeship with her black cat in tow. With a shaky command of her broom , she ends up in a charming little coastal town that looks like a cross between the French provincial and San Francisco. Unfortunately , the local hotels have a strict "no witches" policy and the police have taken a dim view of her recent aerial mischief - making. She's saved from the street by a kindly baker's wife , who offers her room and board in exchange for her delivering by broom the baker's wares. Soon she befriends a college - aged artist , an old women who fusses over her , and a boy her same age who is nursing a massive crush. All is well until she wakes up one day and realizes that she can't make her broom levitate nor can she talk to her cat. What will Kiki do?

ased upon a true incident in 1930s Japan Nagisa Oshima's controversial film effectively skirts the borderline between pornography and art -- making Bernardo Bertolucci's Last Tango in Paris of four years earlier look like children's programming in comparison. The story concerns servant and former prostitute Sada Abe (Eiko Matsuda) who becomes sexually obsessed with her employer Kizicho (Tatsuya Fuji) a businessman after seeing him making love to his wife. After making love to Sada Kizicho becomes obsessed with her as well. As their love-making becomes more and more intense they find themselves unable to separate themselves from each other until every waking hour is spent in more and more dangerous sexual acts with Sada becoming more and more of the aggressor. Finally for the ultimate in eroticism Kizicho agrees to be strangled during sexual ecstasy for the ultimate in orgasmic fulfillment.

Based upon a true incident in 1930s Japan , Nagisa Oshima 's controversial film effectively skirts the borderline between pornography and art -- making Bernardo Bertolucci 's Last Tango in Paris of four years earlier look like children's programming in comparison. The story concerns servant and former prostitute Sada Abe ( Eiko Matsuda ) who becomes sexually obsessed with her employer Kizicho ( Tatsuya Fuji ), a businessman , after seeing him making love to his wife. After making love to Sada , Kizicho becomes obsessed with her as well. As their love - making becomes more and more intense , they find themselves unable to separate themselves from each other , until every waking hour is spent in more and more dangerous sexual acts with Sada becoming more and more of the aggressor. Finally , for the ultimate in eroticism , Kizicho agrees to be strangled during sexual ecstasy for the ultimate in orgasmic fulfillment.

Idiosyncratic auteur Kiyoshi Kurosawa directed this bizarre allegorical tale about a tree named Charisma. Goro Yabuike (Koji Yakusho) is a burned-out hostage negotiator called to rescue an MP from a gun-toting lunatic demanding that "rule of the world" be restored. In a moment of indecision he fails to act; as a result both the MP and the lunatic die while Yabuike is sent on a forced vacation to an unnamed forest area. There he comes upon a single tree surrounded by an I.V. pole metal supports and strange altar-like objects. Yabuike soon discovers that the locals are enmeshed in a battle over the tree's future. The plant is staunchly sometimes violently defended by Kiriyama (Hiroyuki Ikeuchi) a young resident of an abandoned sanitarium who believes that Charisma is unique and should be preserved. On the other hand Mitsuko (Jun Fubuki) a do-gooder botanist credits the mysterious tree with poisoning its fellow plants and upsetting the eco-system. Other characters include thuggish lumberjacks and rapacious tree-hunters hoping to buy or steal the rare tree at any cost. As things come to a head Yabuike is forced to make the sort of decisions of which he was incapable as a hostage negotiator. Is Charisma a force of evil or the victim of the obsessions of those around it? Is it the unique specimen that should be saved or the entire forest? Again Yabuike is flummoxed but this time he acts before it is too late. This adventurous psychedelic film explores many of the same themes of the individual's fate in modern society as Kurosawa's early work Cure (1997). Charisma was screened in the "Directors Fortnight" section of the 1999 Cannes Film Festival and as a part of the director's spotlight at the 1999 Toronto International Film Festival.

Idiosyncratic auteur Kiyoshi Kurosawa directed this bizarre allegorical tale about a tree named Charisma. Goro Yabuike ( Koji Yakusho ) is a burned - out hostage negotiator called to rescue an MP from a gun - toting lunatic demanding that "rule of the world" be restored. In a moment of indecision , he fails to act ; as a result , both the MP and the lunatic die , while Yabuike is sent on a forced vacation to an unnamed forest area. There he comes upon a single tree surrounded by an I.V. pole , metal supports , and strange altar - like objects. Yabuike soon discovers that the locals are enmeshed in a battle over the tree's future. The plant is staunchly , sometimes violently defended by Kiriyama ( Hiroyuki Ikeuchi ), a young resident of an abandoned sanitarium who believes that Charisma is unique and should be preserved. On the other hand , Mitsuko ( Jun Fubuki ), a do - gooder botanist , credits the mysterious tree with poisoning its fellow plants and upsetting the eco - system. Other characters include thuggish lumberjacks and rapacious tree - hunters hoping to buy or steal the rare tree at any cost. As things come to a head , Yabuike is forced to make the sort of decisions of which he was incapable as a hostage negotiator. Is Charisma a force of evil or the victim of the obsessions of those around it? Is it the unique specimen that should be saved or the entire forest? Again Yabuike is flummoxed , but this time he acts before it is too late. This adventurous , psychedelic film explores many of the same themes of the individual's fate in modern society as Kurosawa 's early work , Cure ( 1997 ) . Charisma was screened in the "Directors Fortnight" section of the 1999 Cannes Film Festival and as a part of the director's spotlight at the 1999 Toronto International Film Festival .

Hayao Miyazaki's fantasy adventure Castle in the Sky begins with a chase scene through a flying ship where all the passengers are after the young girl Sheeta (voice of Anna Paquin). Going overboard to avoid capture Sheeta is rescued by her powerful crystal necklace which floats her down to safety. She's recovered by Pazu (voice of James Van Der Beek) a young resourceful boy who works in a small mining town. Sharing a common desire to see Laputa the castle in the sky Pazu and Sheeta team up to outrun the pirates and the military. Led by hard-bitten matriarch Dola (voice of Cloris Leachman) the pirates are a rowdy yet dimwitted group of brothers who are after Laputa's treasure. Led by the greedy yet civilized Muska (voice of Mark Hamill) the military is after Laputa's secret powers. Everyone races to get to the abandoned castle of Laputa which has been overgrown with vines and plant life. Its only inhabitants are the animals and robots who protect a magical garden. As the different parties fight over who gets to control Laputa it's up to Sheeta to use her ancient knowledge to save it from ultimate destruction. The English-language version also includes the voices of Mandy Patinkin and Andy Dick.

Hayao Miyazaki 's fantasy adventure Castle in the Sky begins with a chase scene through a flying ship , where all the passengers are after the young girl , Sheeta ( voice of Anna Paquin ) . Going overboard to avoid capture , Sheeta is rescued by her powerful crystal necklace which floats her down to safety. She's recovered by Pazu ( voice of James Van Der Beek ), a young resourceful boy who works in a small mining town. Sharing a common desire to see Laputa , the castle in the sky , Pazu and Sheeta team up to outrun the pirates and the military. Led by hard - bitten matriarch Dola ( voice of Cloris Leachman ), the pirates are a rowdy yet dimwitted group of brothers who are after Laputa's treasure. Led by the greedy yet civilized Muska ( voice of Mark Hamill ), the military is after Laputa's secret powers. Everyone races to get to the abandoned castle of Laputa , which has been overgrown with vines and plant life. Its only inhabitants are the animals and robots who protect a magical garden. As the different parties fight over who gets to control Laputa , it's up to Sheeta to use her ancient knowledge to save it from ultimate destruction. The English - language version also includes the voices of Mandy Patinkin and Andy Dick .

Veteran filmmaker and perennial iconoclast Shohei Imamura directs this darkly comic tale about love redemption and a man's beloved pet eel. The film opens with Takuro Yamashita (Koji Yakusho) a seemingly normal salaryman learning that his wife might be having an affair. When he catches the couple in flaganto delicto he freaks out and brutally stabs them both to death. Eight years later Yamashita is released on parole into the care of a Buddhist priest living in rural Chiba prefecture. Far away from his former life yet still plagued with memories of his crime Yamashita decides to start anew by opening a barbershop on a quiet road next to a canal. Though inward looking and self-conscious he eventually befriends a bumptious but good-hearted day laborer and a construction worker who's obsessed with UFOs. His most fateful encounter though is with a woman named Keiko (Misa Shimizu) who he discovers unconscious following a suicide attempt. Looking to put a few of her own demons to bed Keiko decides to stay in this sleepy corner of Japan and help her savior with his barbershop. Initially against the idea -- she bears a striking resemblance to his dead spouse -- he eventually agrees and even grows to like having her around. This film won the Grand Prix at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival.

Veteran filmmaker and perennial iconoclast Shohei Imamura directs this darkly comic tale about love , redemption , and a man's beloved pet eel. The film opens with Takuro Yamashita ( Koji Yakusho ), a seemingly normal salaryman , learning that his wife might be having an affair. When he catches the couple in flaganto delicto , he freaks out and brutally stabs them both to death. Eight years later , Yamashita is released on parole into the care of a Buddhist priest living in rural Chiba prefecture. Far away from his former life , yet still plagued with memories of his crime , Yamashita decides to start anew by opening a barbershop on a quiet road next to a canal. Though inward looking and self - conscious , he eventually befriends a bumptious but good - hearted day laborer , and a construction worker who's obsessed with UFOs. His most fateful encounter though is with a woman named Keiko ( Misa Shimizu ), who he discovers unconscious following a suicide attempt. Looking to put a few of her own demons to bed , Keiko decides to stay in this sleepy corner of Japan and help her savior with his barbershop. Initially against the idea -- she bears a striking resemblance to his dead spouse -- he eventually agrees and even grows to like having her around. This film won the Grand Prix at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival .

Acclaimed Japanese filmmaker comedian television star author and all-around renaissance man Takeshi \"Beat\" Kitano stars in this unconventional take on the crime drama. Kitano portrays Murakawa a successful Yakuza officer who has grown weary of the violent life so much so that he has even considered retirement. Thus he is not pleased when he is asked to lead a team to help defuse a gang war in Okinawa but agrees when he is assured it will be an easy job. It proves anything but however and he soon finds himself in the middle of a complex bloody conflict. Fearing that he has been set up Murakawa withdraws to a nearby coastal town. The film takes a trademark Kitano turn at this point moving away from the standard crime drama plot to focus on what amounts to a gangster's summer vacation with the killers playing frisbee on the beach and taking dancing lessons. Murakawa even finds a summer romance falling in love with a local girl who is impressed by his way with a gun. This sunny idyll cannot last forever however and soon the realities of the criminal life catch up with them. Seen as a prime example of Kitano's style Sonatine features a combination of deadpan comedy and unexpectedly romantic lyricism periodically interrupted by shockingly sudden bursts of violence.

Acclaimed Japanese filmmaker , comedian , television star , author , and all - around renaissance man Takeshi \ "Beat \ " Kitano stars in this unconventional take on the crime drama. Kitano portrays Murakawa , a successful Yakuza officer who has grown weary of the violent life , so much so that he has even considered retirement. Thus , he is not pleased when he is asked to lead a team to help defuse a gang war in Okinawa but agrees when he is assured it will be an easy job. It proves anything but , however , and he soon finds himself in the middle of a complex , bloody conflict. Fearing that he has been set up , Murakawa withdraws to a nearby coastal town. The film takes a trademark Kitano turn at this point , moving away from the standard crime drama plot to focus on what amounts to a gangster's summer vacation , with the killers playing frisbee on the beach and taking dancing lessons. Murakawa even finds a summer romance , falling in love with a local girl who is impressed by his way with a gun. This sunny idyll cannot last forever , however , and soon the realities of the criminal life catch up with them. Seen as a prime example of Kitano 's style , Sonatine features a combination of deadpan comedy and unexpectedly romantic lyricism , periodically interrupted by shockingly sudden bursts of violence.

Three stories of life along the margins in Mexico City converge in this inventive thriller. Octavio is sharing an apartment with his brother which leads to a serious problem when he falls in love with Susanna his sister-in-law. Octavio and Susanna want to run away together but Octavio has no money. He does however know a man who stages dog fights and he volunteers his dog Cofi for the next round of fights. Cofi bravely rises to the occasion but the dog's success in the ring leads to a violent altercation. Elsewhere Daniel a successful publishing magnate leaves his family to take up with a beautiful model Valeria. Valeria however soon loses a leg in an auto accident and as Daniel tends to her needs her tiny pet dog gets trapped under the floorboards of their apartment. And finally El Chivo (Emilio Echeverria) is an elderly homeless man who is trying to contact his daughter whom he hasn't seen in years. Desperate for money El Chivo is hired by a businessman to assassinate his partner; however as he's following his target he's interrupted by an auto accident from which Octavio and his injured dog stagger in search of help. Amores Perros (aka Love's a Bitch) was the debut from director Alexandro Gonzalez Inarritu.

Three stories of life along the margins in Mexico City converge in this inventive thriller. Octavio is sharing an apartment with his brother , which leads to a serious problem when he falls in love with Susanna , his sister - in - law. Octavio and Susanna want to run away together , but Octavio has no money. He does , however , know a man who stages dog fights , and he volunteers his dog Cofi for the next round of fights. Cofi bravely rises to the occasion , but the dog's success in the ring leads to a violent altercation. Elsewhere , Daniel , a successful publishing magnate , leaves his family to take up with a beautiful model , Valeria. Valeria , however , soon loses a leg in an auto accident , and as Daniel tends to her needs , her tiny pet dog gets trapped under the floorboards of their apartment. And finally , El Chivo ( Emilio Echeverria ) is an elderly homeless man who is trying to contact his daughter , whom he hasn't seen in years. Desperate for money , El Chivo is hired by a businessman to assassinate his partner ; however , as he's following his target , he's interrupted by an auto accident , from which Octavio and his injured dog stagger in search of help. Amores Perros ( aka Love's a Bitch ) was the debut from director Alexandro Gonzalez Inarritu .

Gaby: A True Story is about a young woman -- the child of rich European refugees living in Mexico -- who was stricken with cerebral palsy at birth. Though her body is completely paralyzed her mind is unaffected and she is able to become a college graduate and an acclaimed author. Rachel Levin won acclaim in the title role but Norma Aleandro received an Oscan nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Gaby : A True Story is about a young woman -- the child of rich European refugees living in Mexico -- who was stricken with cerebral palsy at birth. Though her body is completely paralyzed , her mind is unaffected , and she is able to become a college graduate and an acclaimed author. Rachel Levin won acclaim in the title role , but Norma Aleandro received an Oscan nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Spending the bulk of her time working and raising her child alone Julia's life is filled with mundane grays. The only color in her life comes from her Wednesday night trips to Mexico City where she dances the danzon with her long-time partner Carmelo. But one night she goes to dance and Carmelo is not there. At first puzzled and then obsessed she embarks upon a search that not only solves the mystery of his disappearance but also leads her down a path of personal discovery and renewal. This drama earned international acclaim and was the first Mexican film to premiere at Cannes in over a decade.

Spending the bulk of her time working and raising her child alone , Julia's life is filled with mundane grays. The only color in her life comes from her Wednesday night trips to Mexico City where she dances the danzon with her long - time partner Carmelo. But one night , she goes to dance and Carmelo is not there. At first puzzled , and then obsessed , she embarks upon a search that not only solves the mystery of his disappearance , but also leads her down a path of personal discovery and renewal. This drama earned international acclaim and was the first Mexican film to premiere at Cannes in over a decade.

This award-winning documentary from Mexican cinematographer Carlos Marcovich marked his debut as a director. While filming a video in Cuba starring model Fabiola Quiroz Marcovich met and was struck by the brashness of a 16-year-old Havana jinetera (child prostitute) named Juliet Ortega whom Fabiola had befriended. Electing to direct a documentary about the girl Marcovich embarked on a three-year odyssey of following the barrio dwelling orphan contrasting her life with that of the glamorous Fabiola who is at the opposite end of the class and economic spectrum. As Juliet's world is revealed however it develops that both she and Fabiola were abandoned by their fathers as children and both have been deeply wounded by the experience. Marcovich then arranges a reunion with Juliet's father an emgire now living in New Jersey about whom Juliet has not been told the truth. Ultimately Fabiola arranges for the beautiful Juliet to get a modeling interview in an effort to rescue her friend from the slums and streetwalking. Actress Salma Hayek a heroine of Juliet's appears in the film as herself.

This award - winning documentary from Mexican cinematographer Carlos Marcovich marked his debut as a director. While filming a video in Cuba starring model Fabiola Quiroz , Marcovich met and was struck by the brashness of a 16 - year - old Havana jinetera ( child prostitute ) named Juliet Ortega whom Fabiola had befriended. Electing to direct a documentary about the girl , Marcovich embarked on a three - year odyssey of following the barrio dwelling orphan , contrasting her life with that of the glamorous Fabiola , who is at the opposite end of the class and economic spectrum. As Juliet's world is revealed , however , it develops that both she and Fabiola were abandoned by their fathers as children , and both have been deeply wounded by the experience. Marcovich then arranges a reunion with Juliet's father , an emgire now living in New Jersey , about whom Juliet has not been told the truth. Ultimately , Fabiola arranges for the beautiful Juliet to get a modeling interview in an effort to rescue her friend from the slums and streetwalking. Actress Salma Hayek , a heroine of Juliet's , appears in the film as herself.

In this disturbing drama a father seeking to protect his family from the evils of the outside world locks them away in his ancestral home for eighteen years.

In this disturbing drama , a father , seeking to protect his family from the evils of the outside world , locks them away in his ancestral home for eighteen years.

With little dialog and exquisite almost documentary-like images Cabeza de Vaca offers a fascinating (if not mystical and at times just plain puzzling) foray back to early 16th-century America as it chronicles the exploits of the explorer Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca as he spends eight years traversing the wild lands surrounding the Gulf of Mexico. The story itself is based on the book Naufragio Cabeza de Vaca's personal account. Cabeza de Vaca was the ship's treasurer on an ill-fated expedition to America. Marooned on the densely jungled Florida coast he becomes the unwilling guest of the Iguase Indians (for added realism and to help audiences understand how Cabeza de Vaca felt the Native speech is not translated). He is enslaved and much of the story centers on his coming to grips with his strange new life and the people around him. Eventually he is taken to a powerful Iguase shaman who teaches him the healing arts skills he is able to put to amazing use during his amazing journey.

With little dialog and exquisite , almost documentary - like images , Cabeza de Vaca offers a fascinating ( if not mystical and at times just plain puzzling ) foray back to early 16th - century America as it chronicles the exploits of the explorer Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca as he spends eight years traversing the wild lands surrounding the Gulf of Mexico. The story itself is based on the book Naufragio , Cabeza de Vaca's personal account. Cabeza de Vaca was the ship's treasurer on an ill - fated expedition to America. Marooned on the densely jungled Florida coast he becomes the unwilling guest of the Iguase Indians ( for added realism and to help audiences understand how Cabeza de Vaca felt , the Native speech is not translated ) . He is enslaved and much of the story centers on his coming to grips with his strange new life and the people around him. Eventually he is taken to a powerful Iguase shaman who teaches him the healing arts , skills he is able to put to amazing use during his amazing journey.

Accidentally stepping off a train at some God-forsaken whistle stop a worldly elegantly dressed Frenchwoman (Stéphane Excoffier) finds shelter in the cabin of a lonely Dutch pointsman (Jim van der Woude) whose life consists mainly of his work daily housekeeping and sleep. Using gestures facial expressions color contrast and virtually no dialogue (the characters speak two different languages anyway) director Jos Stelling builds his film on the opposition between the virginal pointsman's emotional aloofness and the blatant provocative eroticism of his guest which eventually makes her a hostage of his passion. This is an artistic film that will likely appeal primarily to movie buffs.

Accidentally stepping off a train at some God - forsaken whistle stop , a worldly , elegantly dressed Frenchwoman ( Stéphane Excoffier ) finds shelter in the cabin of a lonely Dutch pointsman ( Jim van der Woude ), whose life consists mainly of his work , daily housekeeping , and sleep. Using gestures , facial expressions , color contrast , and virtually no dialogue ( the characters speak two different languages , anyway ), director Jos Stelling builds his film on the opposition between the virginal pointsman's emotional aloofness and the blatant , provocative eroticism of his guest , which eventually makes her a hostage of his passion. This is an artistic film that will likely appeal primarily to movie buffs.

This dark drama from the Netherlands won the 1998 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Dreverhaven (Jan Decleir) the most ruthless and intimidating bailiff in Rotterdam is brutally murdered and a young attorney Katadreuffe (Fedja Van Huet) is arrested in connection with the crime. Under questioning the angry young lawyer reveals a hidden motive for the killing -- he is Dreverhaven's illegitimate son. Katadreuffe's mother Joba (Betty Schuurman) had an affair with Dreverhaven but refused to marry him preferring to raise her son on her own despite her difficult economic circumstances. Eventually Joba takes in a boarder Jan Maan (Hans Kesting) and Jan becomes something of a father figure to the boy urging him to improve himself and pursue new opportunities in business. As a young man Katadreuffe takes Jan's advice to heart and obtains a bank loan to open a cigar shop. The shop soon fails and Katadreuffe must negotiate terms with the bank to pay off his debt. The young man discovers that the bank is managed by Dreverhaven and learns that his father has no desire to help him. While obtaining legal advice on his problems with the bank Katadreuffe becomes interested in the study of law and after a great deal of struggle he makes his way through law school and obtains a low-level position with a prominent legal firm. However his father often appears along the way berating Katadreuffe and convincing him that he's doomed for failure until the young man becomes convinced that Dreverhaven controls his entire life and wants nothing more than to destroy him. Karakter was based on a novel by Ferdinand Bordewijk that was a major bestseller in the Netherlands.

This dark drama from the Netherlands won the 1998 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Dreverhaven ( Jan Decleir ), the most ruthless and intimidating bailiff in Rotterdam , is brutally murdered , and a young attorney , Katadreuffe ( Fedja Van Huet ), is arrested in connection with the crime. Under questioning , the angry young lawyer reveals a hidden motive for the killing -- he is Dreverhaven's illegitimate son. Katadreuffe's mother , Joba ( Betty Schuurman ) had an affair with Dreverhaven but refused to marry him , preferring to raise her son on her own , despite her difficult economic circumstances. Eventually , Joba takes in a boarder , Jan Maan ( Hans Kesting ), and Jan becomes something of a father figure to the boy , urging him to improve himself and pursue new opportunities in business. As a young man , Katadreuffe takes Jan's advice to heart and obtains a bank loan to open a cigar shop. The shop soon fails , and Katadreuffe must negotiate terms with the bank to pay off his debt. The young man discovers that the bank is managed by Dreverhaven and learns that his father has no desire to help him. While obtaining legal advice on his problems with the bank , Katadreuffe becomes interested in the study of law , and after a great deal of struggle , he makes his way through law school and obtains a low - level position with a prominent legal firm. However , his father often appears along the way , berating Katadreuffe and convincing him that he's doomed for failure , until the young man becomes convinced that Dreverhaven controls his entire life and wants nothing more than to destroy him. Karakter was based on a novel by Ferdinand Bordewijk that was a major bestseller in the Netherlands.

A strong-willed Dutch woman recalls her life in this uplifting picture that won the 1996 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Antonia (Willeke van Ammelrooy) is an elderly woman who wakes up one morning and realizes that this is the last day of her life. She begins to tell her story in flashback beginning with her arrival home to the family farm after World War II with her daughter Danielle (Els Dottermans). For the next fifty years a variety of colorful characters come and go on the farm. Danielle becomes a painter and decides she wants a child but no husband so Antonia arranges the proper donation. Danielle giving birth to Therese (Veerle van Overloop) who laters has her own child Sarah (Thyrza Ravesteijn) also without virtue of a husband. Antonia and her descendants come to symbolize the freedom of independent females with little need for men in their lives.

A strong - willed Dutch woman recalls her life in this uplifting picture that won the 1996 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Antonia ( Willeke van Ammelrooy ) is an elderly woman who wakes up one morning and realizes that this is the last day of her life. She begins to tell her story in flashback , beginning with her arrival home to the family farm after World War II with her daughter , Danielle ( Els Dottermans ) . For the next fifty years , a variety of colorful characters come and go on the farm. Danielle becomes a painter , and decides she wants a child but no husband , so Antonia arranges the proper donation. Danielle giving birth to Therese ( Veerle van Overloop ), who laters has her own child , Sarah ( Thyrza Ravesteijn ), also without virtue of a husband. Antonia and her descendants come to symbolize the freedom of independent females , with little need for men in their lives.

Housewife Edda Barends waitress Nelly Frijda and secretary Henriette Tol have but one thing in common: murder. Acting virtually on impulse the three women kill a male store owner who has caught Barends shoplifting. Psychiatrist Cox Habbema is engaged to prove that the women are insane so that they can avoid being sent to prison. A few sessions later however Habbema has cast her lot with the killers! The moral seems to be that murder is justified so long as it stems from dissatisfaction with the entire Male population. One would think that Question of Silence (originally released in the Netherlands as De Stilte Rond Christine M...) would be rejected out of hand by the largely male Dutch Film Finance Corporation. Instead the Corporation was so enthusiastic over writer/director Marleen Gorris' project proposal that it put up all the production money.

Housewife Edda Barends , waitress Nelly Frijda and secretary Henriette Tol have but one thing in common : murder. Acting virtually on impulse , the three women kill a male store owner who has caught Barends shoplifting. Psychiatrist Cox Habbema is engaged to prove that the women are insane so that they can avoid being sent to prison. A few sessions later , however , Habbema has cast her lot with the killers! The moral seems to be that murder is justified so long as it stems from dissatisfaction with the entire Male population. One would think that Question of Silence ( originally released in the Netherlands as De Stilte Rond Christine M... ) would be rejected out of hand by the largely male Dutch Film Finance Corporation. Instead , the Corporation was so enthusiastic over writer / director Marleen Gorris ' project proposal that it put up all the production money.

Spetters further elaborates on the themes of sexual obsession previously probed in director Paul Verhoeven's Turkish Delight (1973). Hans Van Tongeren Toon Agterberg and Maarten Spanjer play respectively Reen Eve and Hans a closely-knit group of teenage motorcycle lovers who idolize local cycling champion Witkamp (played by Rutger Hauer the star of Delight). Unfortunately the adolescents' attempts to rebel take a dark and brutal turn when Van Tongeren is permanently injured in a road accident and Agterberg is gang raped by a group of homosexuals. While the other two young men lust after Fientje (Renee Soutendjik) a promiscuous hashhouse waitress Agterberg responds to the rape by coming out and taking Fientje's gay brother as a lover. Verhoeven is artistically and sexually graphic in juxtaposing "cycle love" with the friends' carnal interrelations. The title of Spetters is an indigenous triple-entendre -- it refers to the Dutch vernacular for "grease spatterings" (both the oily renderings left behind by the motorcycles commandeered by the film's central characters and the grease slung by Soutendjik) is a slang term for male ejaculate and was frequently used in the seventies and eighties to refer to people who are sexually appealing ("That girl is a spetter.")

Spetters further elaborates on the themes of sexual obsession previously probed in director Paul Verhoeven 's Turkish Delight ( 1973 ) . Hans Van Tongeren , Toon Agterberg and Maarten Spanjer play , respectively , Reen , Eve and Hans , a closely - knit group of teenage motorcycle lovers who idolize local cycling champion Witkamp ( played by Rutger Hauer , the star of Delight ) . Unfortunately , the adolescents' attempts to rebel take a dark and brutal turn when Van Tongeren is permanently injured in a road accident and Agterberg is gang raped by a group of homosexuals. While the other two young men lust after Fientje ( Renee Soutendjik ), a promiscuous hashhouse waitress , Agterberg responds to the rape by coming out and taking Fientje's gay brother as a lover. Verhoeven is artistically and sexually graphic in juxtaposing "cycle love" with the friends' carnal interrelations. The title of Spetters is an indigenous triple - entendre -- it refers to the Dutch vernacular for "grease spatterings" ( both the oily renderings left behind by the motorcycles commandeered by the film's central characters and the grease slung by Soutendjik ), is a slang term for male ejaculate , and was frequently used in the seventies and eighties to refer to people who are sexually appealing ( "That girl is a spetter." )

Made for theatrical release by a Dutch TV production firm this stars Renee Soutendijk in the title role. The Girl is a Dutch wartime resistance leader who is killed before the film proper gets under way. Through the reminiscences of her best friend we are given every detail of the Girl's life loves and dreams (she was a sheltered college student at the outbreak of the War). We also learn what inspired the Girl to become a sang froid assassin of Nazi informers. Director Ben Verbong collaborated on the screenplay with Peter de Vos author of the factual book (Theun de Vries) upon which the film was based.

Made for theatrical release by a Dutch TV production firm , this stars Renee Soutendijk in the title role. The Girl is a Dutch wartime resistance leader , who is killed before the film proper gets under way. Through the reminiscences of her best friend , we are given every detail of the Girl's life , loves and dreams ( she was a sheltered college student at the outbreak of the War ) . We also learn what inspired the Girl to become a sang froid assassin of Nazi informers. Director Ben Verbong collaborated on the screenplay with Peter de Vos , author of the factual book ( Theun de Vries ) upon which the film was based.

Released in Holland as Gebroken Spiegels Broken Mirrors is set for the most part in an Amsterdam brothel. Lineke Ripman and Henriette Tol play two whores who begin to rebel against their lot in life. Their story is counterpointed by a subplot involving housewife Edda Barends who is kidnapped by one of the brothel's customers; as Barends starves to death her captor takes photographs of her last days on earth. Somehow her demise is meant to be as much a "liberation" as Ripman and Tol's refusal to continue plying their trade. Throughout Broken Mirrors the male characters are depicted as murderers both literal and spiritual.

Released in Holland as Gebroken Spiegels , Broken Mirrors is set for the most part in an Amsterdam brothel. Lineke Ripman and Henriette Tol play two whores who begin to rebel against their lot in life. Their story is counterpointed by a subplot involving housewife Edda Barends , who is kidnapped by one of the brothel's customers ; as Barends starves to death , her captor takes photographs of her last days on earth. Somehow her demise is meant to be as much a "liberation" as Ripman and Tol's refusal to continue plying their trade. Throughout Broken Mirrors , the male characters are depicted as murderers , both literal and spiritual.

This powerful drama was a major hit in its native New Zealand outgrossing Jurassic Park in Kiwi cinemas. Jake and Beth Heke (Temurea Morrison and Rena Owen) are a couple of Maori descent who are living in a slum in Aukland. While it's obvious that they still love each other Jake's alcoholism has driven a wedge into their relationship and has left their children emotionally scarred. Jake is charming while sober but when drunk he's a violent psychopath given to blink-of-an-eye mood changes and terrible cruelty against his loved ones. Liquor has also made it difficult for Jake to hold onto a job leaving him dependent on the dole to feed his family. Nig (Julian Arahanga) Jake's oldest son has turned his back on his father and joined a gang of Maori youths whose initiation rituals include tattooing and torture. Jake's 13-year-old daughter Grace (Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell) prefers to spend her time with her drug-addicted boyfriend -- rather than stay home and fight off the advances of her father's friends. And Boogie (Taungaroa Emile) ends up in juvenile hall when Jake's drinking prevents him from going to court to speak on Boogie's behalf. Once Were Warriors was based on an acclaimed novel by Alan Duff.

This powerful drama was a major hit in its native New Zealand , outgrossing Jurassic Park in Kiwi cinemas. Jake and Beth Heke ( Temurea Morrison and Rena Owen ) are a couple of Maori descent who are living in a slum in Aukland. While it's obvious that they still love each other , Jake's alcoholism has driven a wedge into their relationship and has left their children emotionally scarred. Jake is charming while sober , but when drunk , he's a violent psychopath given to blink - of - an - eye mood changes and terrible cruelty against his loved ones. Liquor has also made it difficult for Jake to hold onto a job , leaving him dependent on the dole to feed his family. Nig ( Julian Arahanga ), Jake's oldest son , has turned his back on his father and joined a gang of Maori youths whose initiation rituals include tattooing and torture. Jake's 13 - year - old daughter Grace ( Mamaengaroa Kerr - Bell ) prefers to spend her time with her drug - addicted boyfriend -- rather than stay home and fight off the advances of her father's friends. And Boogie ( Taungaroa Emile ) ends up in juvenile hall when Jake's drinking prevents him from going to court to speak on Boogie's behalf. Once Were Warriors was based on an acclaimed novel by Alan Duff.

The 1994 drama Once Were Warriors told a sad but compelling tale of violence and alcoholism in New Zealand's Maori community and What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? picks up the story several years later though the focus is less on an individual family than the spread of gang warfare among the modern-day Maori. Jake and Beth Heke (Temuera Morrison and Rena Owen) the combative couple in the first film have now split up Beth having lost her patience with Jake's alcoholism and violent temper. Beth has moved on and lives with her new boyfriend and while Jake also has a new relationship his binge drinking and violence have continued unabated. Jake's eldest son Nig (Julian Arahanga) has fared little better in life and dies in a fight with a member of a rival gang. At Nig's funeral Jake is confronted by Beth and his younger son Sonny (Clint Eruera) who feels Jake abandoned his family and doesn't mind telling him so. Sonny decides he must avenge Nig's death and joins forces with Nig's girlfriend Tania (Nancy Brunning) and his pal Mookie (Tammy Davis) to exact their own kind of justice. However an unpleasant run-in with the Black Snakes gang only earns them more enemies. Jake meanwhile is dropped by his girlfriend and sinks even deeper into the abyss of his demons. What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? was directed by Ian Mune continuing the story begun by filmmaker Lee Tamahori.

The 1994 drama Once Were Warriors told a sad but compelling tale of violence and alcoholism in New Zealand's Maori community , and What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? picks up the story several years later , though the focus is less on an individual family than the spread of gang warfare among the modern - day Maori. Jake and Beth Heke ( Temuera Morrison and Rena Owen ), the combative couple in the first film , have now split up , Beth having lost her patience with Jake's alcoholism and violent temper. Beth has moved on and lives with her new boyfriend , and while Jake also has a new relationship , his binge drinking and violence have continued unabated. Jake's eldest son , Nig ( Julian Arahanga ) has fared little better in life , and dies in a fight with a member of a rival gang. At Nig's funeral , Jake is confronted by Beth and his younger son , Sonny ( Clint Eruera ), who feels Jake abandoned his family and doesn't mind telling him so. Sonny decides he must avenge Nig's death and joins forces with Nig's girlfriend Tania ( Nancy Brunning ) and his pal Mookie ( Tammy Davis ) to exact their own kind of justice. However , an unpleasant run - in with the Black Snakes gang only earns them more enemies. Jake , meanwhile , is dropped by his girlfriend and sinks even deeper into the abyss of his demons. What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? was directed by Ian Mune , continuing the story begun by filmmaker Lee Tamahori .

Along with Once Were Warriors Broken English effectively captures contemporary New Zealand as a society in transition. Broken English dramatizes how the effect of immigration to the cities of New Zealand by both its native peoples the Maoris and Europeans seeking refuge from political persecution has not produced a harmonious melting pot. Ivan (Rade Serbedzija) is an embittered Croatian who fled to his wife's native Aukland when war broke out in Bosnia. Brooding over TV news reports on what is happening to his homeland (and displaying more than a little guilt over his flight from there) Ivan lashes out at anyone outside of his insulated Croatian community including his gentle Maori neighbors. His drug-running business allows him a comfortable lifestyle but he's still irritated that his young adult daughters won't mind him. The eldest Nina (Aleksandra Vujcic) is a waitress who takes up with a colleague a Maori cook named Eddie (Julian \"Sonny\" Arahanga who also appeared in Once Were Warriors) in part because he's attractive but also to tweak her father. Complicating matters is an arranged marriage Nina has agreed to with a Chinese immigrant colleague at the restaurant; he's willing to pay her 16000 dollars just to make his residency legal so he can be with his girlfriend Clara. Originally rated NC-17 for an energetic but hardly explicit sex scene between Nina and Eddie the film was later edited to earn an "R" rating.

Along with Once Were Warriors , Broken English effectively captures contemporary New Zealand as a society in transition. Broken English dramatizes how the effect of immigration to the cities of New Zealand by both its native peoples , the Maoris , and Europeans seeking refuge from political persecution has not produced a harmonious melting pot. Ivan ( Rade Serbedzija ) is an embittered Croatian who fled to his wife's native Aukland when war broke out in Bosnia. Brooding over TV news reports on what is happening to his homeland ( and displaying more than a little guilt over his flight from there ), Ivan lashes out at anyone outside of his insulated Croatian community , including his gentle Maori neighbors. His drug - running business allows him a comfortable lifestyle , but he's still irritated that his young adult daughters won't mind him. The eldest , Nina ( Aleksandra Vujcic ), is a waitress who takes up with a colleague , a Maori cook named Eddie ( Julian \ "Sonny \ " Arahanga , who also appeared in Once Were Warriors ), in part because he's attractive but also to tweak her father. Complicating matters is an arranged marriage Nina has agreed to with a Chinese immigrant colleague at the restaurant ; he's willing to pay her 16 , 000 dollars just to make his residency legal , so he can be with his girlfriend , Clara. Originally rated NC - 17 for an energetic but hardly explicit sex scene between Nina and Eddie , the film was later edited to earn an "R" rating.

A group of six British youths must deal with the accidental death of one of their members during a weekend outing in this British drama. The main character is Neil who goes to meet his buddies at a country house to make a film. Included in the group are Rose his girlfriend Zita a strong young black woman Giles who is into psychopaths Lance and his girlfriend Charlotte and finally Lionel who wants this film to be his calling card into the world of cinema. Things are fine until after dropping some acid Neil and Lance accidentally run over Lionel on their way to get cigarettes. The group decides to bury the body in the forest.

A group of six British youths must deal with the accidental death of one of their members during a weekend outing in this British drama. The main character is Neil who goes to meet his buddies at a country house to make a film. Included in the group are Rose , his girlfriend , Zita , a strong , young black woman , Giles who is into psychopaths , Lance and his girlfriend Charlotte , and finally Lionel who wants this film to be his calling card into the world of cinema. Things are fine until , after dropping some acid , Neil and Lance accidentally run over Lionel on their way to get cigarettes. The group decides to bury the body in the forest.

Extraterrestrial fast-food franchisers come to earth to pick up food supplies-in this case human flesh. After wiping out a few small towns the aliens must contend with a team of government assassins headed by Pete O'Herne. As the plot rolls on O'Herne's crew is decimated in as gory a manner as possible and innocent bystander Craig Smith ends up being marinated (and a darned good job it is). Turns out that the space folks are running on a timetable; they've got to return to their home planet with their human-hash cargo before a rival franchise puts them out of business.

Extraterrestrial fast - food franchisers come to earth to pick up food supplies - in this case , human flesh. After wiping out a few small towns , the aliens must contend with a team of government assassins , headed by Pete O'Herne . As the plot rolls on , O'Herne 's crew is decimated in as gory a manner as possible , and innocent bystander Craig Smith ends up being marinated ( and a darned good job it is ) . Turns out that the space folks are running on a timetable ; they've got to return to their home planet with their human - hash cargo before a rival franchise puts them out of business.

ased on the novel Haakon Haakonsen Shipwrecked is a family film about a cabin boy (Stian Smestad) whose ship is hit by a hurricane just before it is about to be ambushed by pirates. The boy and his stowaway friend wash up on a South Seas island which happens to be where the pirates' treasure is buried. Soon the pirates--led by Lieutenant Merrick (Gabriel Byrne)--arrive at the island with hopes of reclaiming their treasure and the boy decides to construct a series of elaborate booby traps to prevent them from reaching the booty.

Based on the novel Haakon Haakonsen , Shipwrecked is a family film about a cabin boy ( Stian Smestad ) whose ship is hit by a hurricane just before it is about to be ambushed by pirates. The boy and his stowaway friend wash up on a South Seas island which happens to be where the pirates' treasure is buried. Soon , the pirates -- led by Lieutenant Merrick ( Gabriel Byrne )-- arrive at the island with hopes of reclaiming their treasure , and the boy decides to construct a series of elaborate booby traps to prevent them from reaching the booty.

ased on the 1932 novel Mendel Philipsen and Son by Henri Nathansen Sofie was adapted for the screen by celebrated actress Liv Ullmann making her directorial debut. Beginning in Copenhagen during the late 1880s Sofie (Karen-Lise Mynster) is a devoted Jewish daughter who falls in love with the Gentile painter Hojby (Jesper Christensen). Her parents Semmy (Erland Josephson) and Frederikke (Ghita Nørby) don't approve of the relationship so they encourage her to marry her mentally ill cousin a Swedish shopkeeper named Jonas (Torben Zeller). She gives birth to a son but their already loveless marriage becomes further complicated when Sofie develops an interest in her brother-in-law Gottleib (Stig Hoffmeyer). Jonas is inconsolable after the death of his mother (Kirsten Rolffes) so much so that Sofie has him institutionalized and takes over his business. Years later Sofie returns to Copenhagen with her son to help her aging parents and attend an auction where she reunites with Hojby.

Based on the 1932 novel Mendel Philipsen and Son by Henri Nathansen , Sofie was adapted for the screen by celebrated actress Liv Ullmann , making her directorial debut. Beginning in Copenhagen during the late 1880s , Sofie ( Karen - Lise Mynster ) is a devoted Jewish daughter who falls in love with the Gentile painter Hojby ( Jesper Christensen ) . Her parents , Semmy ( Erland Josephson ) and Frederikke ( Ghita Nørby ), don't approve of the relationship , so they encourage her to marry her mentally ill cousin , a Swedish shopkeeper named Jonas ( Torben Zeller ) . She gives birth to a son , but their already loveless marriage becomes further complicated when Sofie develops an interest in her brother - in - law Gottleib ( Stig Hoffmeyer ) . Jonas is inconsolable after the death of his mother ( Kirsten Rolffes ), so much so that Sofie has him institutionalized and takes over his business. Years later , Sofie returns to Copenhagen with her son to help her aging parents and attend an auction where she reunites with Hojby.

Polish filmmaker Andrzej Wajda's sequel to his immensely well-received Man of Marble covers some of the same ground: the relationship of labor leaders to their communist political masters and the difficulties the media encounters in covering that story. But it adds an exceptionally timely element: footage from the real-life Solidarity movement strikes led by Lech Walesa that were taking place during the film's production are woven into the dramatic story. There are a few glimpses of Walesa and he even pops up as a guest at the wedding of the fictional story's hero. That man Tomczyk is the son of Birkut the labor leader profiled in Man of Marble and he's played by the actor Jerzy Radziwilowicz who played Birkut in the first film. In Man of Marble a student filmmaker in late 1970s Poland tried to uncover the story of Birkut a working-class hero of the '50s who was later politically discredited and killed in a 1970 strike demonstration. Here Winkiel (Marian Opania) an alcoholic radio journalist is assigned by the state to cover the rise to prominence of Tomczyk but with an eye to discrediting him and the Solidarity movement as well. Like The Godfather II Man of Iron successfully expands on the story of its predecessor while provocatively exploring many of the same issues.

Polish filmmaker Andrzej Wajda 's sequel to his immensely well - received Man of Marble covers some of the same ground : the relationship of labor leaders to their communist political masters and the difficulties the media encounters in covering that story. But it adds an exceptionally timely element : footage from the real - life Solidarity movement strikes led by Lech Walesa that were taking place during the film's production are woven into the dramatic story. There are a few glimpses of Walesa , and he even pops up as a guest at the wedding of the fictional story's hero. That man , Tomczyk , is the son of Birkut , the labor leader profiled in Man of Marble , and he's played by the actor Jerzy Radziwilowicz , who played Birkut in the first film. In Man of Marble , a student filmmaker in late 1970s Poland tried to uncover the story of Birkut , a working - class hero of the '50s who was later politically discredited and killed in a 1970 strike demonstration. Here , Winkiel ( Marian Opania ), an alcoholic radio journalist , is assigned by the state to cover the rise to prominence of Tomczyk , but with an eye to discrediting him and the Solidarity movement as well. Like The Godfather II , Man of Iron successfully expands on the story of its predecessor while provocatively exploring many of the same issues.

In this political satire from Poland Jerzy Stuhr plays Filip a factory worker who after the birth of his first child buys an 8mm movie camera to record his daughter's first few years on film. Before long Filip is happily obsessed with his new hobby and he graduates from simply capturing his daughter's activities to photographing practically everything around him. His movie mania attracts the attentions of his boss who gives him a new task: making films that will give outsiders a clearer picture of how things work at their factory. However Filip's ceaseless photography begins to drive his wife (Malgorzata Zabkowska) crazy and she threatens to leave him while his boss is not at all happy with Filip's films. They're quite good earning television broadcast time and winning awards but their messages don't conform with his party's political and economic agenda and Filip is warned to soften the tone of his work or he'll lose his job. This dark comedy from director Krzysztof Kieslowski was released in the United States under the title Camera Buff.

In this political satire from Poland , Jerzy Stuhr plays Filip , a factory worker who , after the birth of his first child , buys an 8mm movie camera to record his daughter's first few years on film. Before long , Filip is happily obsessed with his new hobby , and he graduates from simply capturing his daughter's activities to photographing practically everything around him. His movie mania attracts the attentions of his boss , who gives him a new task : making films that will give outsiders a clearer picture of how things work at their factory. However , Filip's ceaseless photography begins to drive his wife ( Malgorzata Zabkowska ) crazy , and she threatens to leave him , while his boss is not at all happy with Filip's films. They're quite good , earning television broadcast time and winning awards , but their messages don't conform with his party's political and economic agenda , and Filip is warned to soften the tone of his work or he'll lose his job. This dark comedy from director Krzysztof Kieslowski was released in the United States under the title Camera Buff .

The Polish Year of the Quiet Sun is set in the years following World War II. In a small Polish town a United Nations war-crimes investigation is taking place. While the courtroom battle rages on American soldier Scott Wilson takes advantage of a few precious r-and-r opportunities. He falls in love with Maja Komorowska a war widow. Despite obvious political and ideological differences the romance flourishes--at least until it's time for the Americans to pack up and leave. More cerebral than carnal Year of the Quiet Sun was originally release in Poland as Rok Spokojnego Slonca.

The Polish Year of the Quiet Sun is set in the years following World War II. In a small Polish town , a United Nations war - crimes investigation is taking place. While the courtroom battle rages on , American soldier Scott Wilson takes advantage of a few precious r - and - r opportunities. He falls in love with Maja Komorowska , a war widow. Despite obvious political and ideological differences , the romance flourishes -- at least until it's time for the Americans to pack up and leave. More cerebral than carnal , Year of the Quiet Sun was originally release in Poland as Rok Spokojnego Slonca .

The Double Life of Véronique is the story of two young women who are -- in some mysterious and irresolvable way -- the same woman leading two different yet interconnected lives. Those familiar with Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski's later "Three Colors" trilogy of Blue White and Red will recognize his fascination with accidental happenings and chance encounters as well as Irène Jacob (from Red) whose performance as both Veronika and Veronique won the 1991 Cannes Film Festival award for best actress. Veronika and Véronique are born on the same day in 1966 one in Poland the other in France. They grow up separately unaware of each other's existence but with the vague and rarely expressed feeling that they are "not alone." The story begins in Poland where Veronika (like Véronique) is a talented vocalist and music student who wins a prestigious singing competition and is given the chance to perform with a local symphony. On the night of the concert while singing a duet onstage Veronika loses consciousness and dies. Véronique is emotionally wounded by the loss of her double and decides to end her singing career. The film charts the effect of Veronika's death on Véronique and on her dispassionate and unsatisfying relationships with men especially her father. She is led to puppeteer and children's book author Alexandre Fabbri (Philippe Volter) whose puppet shows and stories are dramatic variants on her own mysterious problem. While looking through photographs of Véronique's trip to Poland Fabbri discovers a picture of Veronika walking through a student demonstration in Kracow. He shows the picture to Véronique who intuits the significance of Veronika's perfect likeness to herself.

The Double Life of Véronique is the story of two young women who are -- in some mysterious and irresolvable way -- the same woman leading two different yet interconnected lives. Those familiar with Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski 's later "Three Colors" trilogy of Blue , White , and Red will recognize his fascination with accidental happenings and chance encounters , as well as Irène Jacob ( from Red ) whose performance as both Veronika and Veronique won the 1991 Cannes Film Festival award for best actress. Veronika and Véronique are born on the same day in 1966 , one in Poland , the other in France. They grow up separately , unaware of each other's existence , but with the vague and rarely expressed feeling that they are "not alone." The story begins in Poland , where Veronika ( like Véronique ) is a talented vocalist and music student who wins a prestigious singing competition and is given the chance to perform with a local symphony. On the night of the concert , while singing a duet onstage , Veronika loses consciousness and dies. Véronique is emotionally wounded by the loss of her double and decides to end her singing career. The film charts the effect of Veronika's death on Véronique and on her dispassionate and unsatisfying relationships with men , especially her father. She is led to puppeteer and children's book author Alexandre Fabbri ( Philippe Volter ), whose puppet shows and stories are dramatic variants on her own mysterious problem. While looking through photographs of Véronique's trip to Poland , Fabbri discovers a picture of Veronika walking through a student demonstration in Kracow. He shows the picture to Véronique , who intuits the significance of Veronika's perfect likeness to herself.

The second feature in filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski's "Three Colors" trilogy the black comedy White features Zbigniew Zamachowski as Karol Karol an expatriate Polish hairdresser whose French wife (the breathtaking Julie Delpy) divorces him after just six months of marriage because of his impotency. Penniless and devoid of his passport Karol must journey back to Poland by hiding in a trunk. Upon his return he slowly begins amassing a considerable fortune ultimately hatching a perverse plot for revenge. Often unjustly dismissed as the weak link in the trilogy White grows in strength upon repeated viewings. An allegory about equality the film is mordantly witty a cynical look at power marriage and capitalism.

The second feature in filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski 's "Three Colors" trilogy , the black comedy White features Zbigniew Zamachowski as Karol Karol , an expatriate Polish hairdresser whose French wife ( the breathtaking Julie Delpy ) divorces him after just six months of marriage because of his impotency. Penniless and devoid of his passport , Karol must journey back to Poland by hiding in a trunk. Upon his return , he slowly begins amassing a considerable fortune , ultimately hatching a perverse plot for revenge. Often unjustly dismissed as the weak link in the trilogy , White grows in strength upon repeated viewings. An allegory about equality , the film is mordantly witty , a cynical look at power , marriage and capitalism.

Inspired by Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist Lionel Bart's 1961 London and Broadway musical hit glossed over some of Dickens' more graphic passages but managed to retain a strong subtext to what was essentially light entertainment. For its first half-hour or so Carol Reed's Oscar-winning 1968 film version does a masterful job of telling its story almost exclusively through song and dance. Once nine-year-old orphan Oliver Twist (Mark Lester) falls in with such underworld types as pickpocket Fagin (Ron Moody) and murderous thief Bill Sykes (Oliver Reed) it becomes necessary to inject more and more dialogue and the film loses some of its momentum. But not to worry; despite such brutal moments as Sikes' murder of Nancy (Shani Wallis) the film gets back on the right musical track thanks in great part to Onna White's exuberant choreography and the faultless performances by Moody and by Jack Wild as the Artful Dodger. The supporting cast includes Harry Secombe as the self-righteous Mr. Bumble and Joseph O'Conor as Mr. Brownlow the man who (through a series of typically Dickensian coincidences) rescues Oliver from the streets. Oliver! won six Oscars including Best Picture Best Director and a special award to choreographer Onna White.

Inspired by Charles Dickens ' novel Oliver Twist , Lionel Bart 's 1961 London and Broadway musical hit glossed over some of Dickens ' more graphic passages but managed to retain a strong subtext to what was essentially light entertainment. For its first half - hour or so , Carol Reed 's Oscar - winning 1968 film version does a masterful job of telling its story almost exclusively through song and dance. Once nine - year - old orphan Oliver Twist ( Mark Lester ) falls in with such underworld types as pickpocket Fagin ( Ron Moody ) and murderous thief Bill Sykes ( Oliver Reed ), it becomes necessary to inject more and more dialogue , and the film loses some of its momentum. But not to worry ; despite such brutal moments as Sikes' murder of Nancy ( Shani Wallis ), the film gets back on the right musical track , thanks in great part to Onna White 's exuberant choreography and the faultless performances by Moody and by Jack Wild as the Artful Dodger. The supporting cast includes Harry Secombe as the self - righteous Mr. Bumble and Joseph O'Conor as Mr. Brownlow , the man who ( through a series of typically Dickensian coincidences ) rescues Oliver from the streets. Oliver! won six Oscars , including Best Picture , Best Director , and a special award to choreographer Onna White .

At one time the longest-running Broadway musical My Fair Lady was adapted by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe from the George Bernard Shaw comedy Pygmalion. Outside Covent Garden on a rainy evening in 1912 dishevelled cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn) meets linguistic expert Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison). After delivering a musical tirade against "verbal class distinction" Higgins tells his companion Colonel Pickering (Wilfred Hyde-White) that within six months he could transform Eliza into a proper lady simply by teaching her proper English. The next morning face and hands freshly scrubbed Eliza presents herself on Higgins' doorstep offering to pay him to teach her to be a lady. "It's almost irresistable" clucks Higgins. "She's so deliciously low. So horribly dirty." He turns his mission into a sporting proposition making a bet with Pickering that he can accomplish his six-month miracle to turn Eliza into a lady. This is one of the all-time great movie musicals featuring classic songs and the legendary performances of Harrison repeating his stage role after Cary Grant wisely turned down the movie job and Stanley Holloway as Eliza's dustman father. Julie Andrews originated the role of Eliza on Broadway but producer Jack Warner felt that Andrews at the time unknown beyond Broadway wasn't bankable; Hepburn's singing was dubbed by Marni Nixon who also dubbed Natalie Wood in West Side Story (1961). Andrews instead made Mary Poppins for which she was given the Best Actress Oscar beating out Hepburn. The movie however won Best Picture Best Director Best Actor for Harrison and five other Oscars and it remains one of the all-time best movie musicals.

At one time the longest - running Broadway musical , My Fair Lady was adapted by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe from the George Bernard Shaw comedy Pygmalion . Outside Covent Garden on a rainy evening in 1912 , dishevelled cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle ( Audrey Hepburn ) meets linguistic expert Henry Higgins ( Rex Harrison ) . After delivering a musical tirade against "verbal class distinction , " Higgins tells his companion Colonel Pickering ( Wilfred Hyde - White ) that , within six months , he could transform Eliza into a proper lady , simply by teaching her proper English. The next morning , face and hands freshly scrubbed , Eliza presents herself on Higgins' doorstep , offering to pay him to teach her to be a lady. "It's almost irresistable , " clucks Higgins. "She's so deliciously low. So horribly dirty." He turns his mission into a sporting proposition , making a bet with Pickering that he can accomplish his six - month miracle to turn Eliza into a lady. This is one of the all - time great movie musicals , featuring classic songs and the legendary performances of Harrison , repeating his stage role after Cary Grant wisely turned down the movie job , and Stanley Holloway as Eliza's dustman father. Julie Andrews originated the role of Eliza on Broadway but producer Jack Warner felt that Andrews , at the time unknown beyond Broadway , wasn't bankable ; Hepburn's singing was dubbed by Marni Nixon , who also dubbed Natalie Wood in West Side Story ( 1961 ) . Andrews instead made Mary Poppins , for which she was given the Best Actress Oscar , beating out Hepburn. The movie , however , won Best Picture , Best Director , Best Actor for Harrison , and five other Oscars , and it remains one of the all - time best movie musicals.

"Hello gorgeous!" was Barbra Streisand's first comment to the Oscar statuette which she won for her performance in this biopic of entertainer Fanny Brice. This is also her first line in the film itself the catalyst for a movie-long flashback. Repeating her Broadway role Streisand stars as legendary comedienne Brice (1891-1951) whose life until the mid-1920s is romanticized herein. A gawky New Yawker Brice fast-talks her way into show business certain that she's destined to be "The Greatest Star." Hired as a "dramatic" singer by impresario Flo Ziegfeld (Walter Pidgeon) Brice defies orders to play it straight turning a "Beautiful Bride" tableau into a laugh riot by dressing herself up as an extremely pregnant newlywed. The stratagem turns Brice into an overnight star and the toast of Broadway. But all is not roses for Brice especially in her turbulent private life as the wife of big-time gambler Nicky Arnstein (Omar Sharif). Nicky at first finds it amusing to be referred to as "Mr. Brice" but he begins to resent his wife's fame and fortune and starts taking foolish risks with other people's money. The film was nominated for 8 Oscars including Best Picture and Kay Medford for her portrayal of Brice's mother Rose. Funny Girl was produced by Ray Stark Brice's real-life son-in-law who had enough material left over for a sequel 1975's Funny Lady.

"Hello , gorgeous!" was Barbra Streisand 's first comment to the Oscar statuette which she won for her performance in this biopic of entertainer Fanny Brice . This is also her first line in the film itself , the catalyst for a movie - long flashback. Repeating her Broadway role , Streisand stars as legendary comedienne Brice ( 1891 - 1951 ), whose life until the mid - 1920s is romanticized herein. A gawky New Yawker , Brice fast - talks her way into show business , certain that she's destined to be "The Greatest Star." Hired as a "dramatic" singer by impresario Flo Ziegfeld ( Walter Pidgeon ), Brice defies orders to play it straight , turning a "Beautiful Bride" tableau into a laugh riot by dressing herself up as an extremely pregnant newlywed. The stratagem turns Brice into an overnight star and the toast of Broadway. But all is not roses for Brice , especially in her turbulent private life as the wife of big - time gambler Nicky Arnstein ( Omar Sharif ) . Nicky at first finds it amusing to be referred to as "Mr. Brice , " but he begins to resent his wife's fame and fortune and starts taking foolish risks with other people's money. The film was nominated for 8 Oscars , including Best Picture and Kay Medford for her portrayal of Brice 's mother , Rose. Funny Girl was produced by Ray Stark , Brice 's real - life son - in - law , who had enough material left over for a sequel , 1975's Funny Lady .

Norman Jewison's adaptation of the long-running Broadway musical is set in the Ukranian ghetto village of Anatevka (the film was actually lensed in Yugoslavia). Israeli actor Topol repeats his London stage role as Tevye the milkman whose equilibrium is constantly being challenged by his poverty the prejudicial attitudes of non-Jews and the romantic entanglements of his five daughters. Whenever the weight of the world becomes too much for him Tevye carries on lengthy conversations with God who does not answer but is at least more willing to listen than the milkman's remonstrative wife Golde. After arranging a marriage between his oldest daughter Tzeitel and wealthy butcher Lazar Wolf Tevye is forced to do some quick rearranging when the girl falls in love with poor tailor Motel Kamzoil. Fancying himself more broad-minded than his gentile oppressors Tevye cannot accept the notion that his other daughter Chava would want to marry Fyedka a non-Jew. And after shouting the praises of "tradition" Tevye must change his tune-and his entire life-when he and his neighbors are forced out of Anatevka by the Czar's minions. Topol's co-stars include Norma Crane as Golde Yiddish theater legend Molly Picon as Yente the matchmaker and Leonard Frey as Motel.

Norman Jewison 's adaptation of the long - running Broadway musical is set in the Ukranian ghetto village of Anatevka ( the film was actually lensed in Yugoslavia ) . Israeli actor Topol repeats his London stage role as Tevye the milkman , whose equilibrium is constantly being challenged by his poverty , the prejudicial attitudes of non - Jews , and the romantic entanglements of his five daughters. Whenever the weight of the world becomes too much for him , Tevye carries on lengthy conversations with God , who does not answer but is at least more willing to listen than the milkman's remonstrative wife Golde. After arranging a marriage between his oldest daughter Tzeitel and wealthy butcher Lazar Wolf , Tevye is forced to do some quick rearranging when the girl falls in love with poor tailor Motel Kamzoil. Fancying himself more broad - minded than his gentile oppressors , Tevye cannot accept the notion that his other daughter Chava would want to marry Fyedka , a non - Jew. And after shouting the praises of "tradition , " Tevye must change his tune - and his entire life - when he and his neighbors are forced out of Anatevka by the Czar's minions. Topol 's co - stars include Norma Crane as Golde , Yiddish theater legend Molly Picon as Yente the matchmaker , and Leonard Frey as Motel.

Reportedly the third in acclaimed director Lars von Trier's "Golden Hearts" trilogy (preceded by Breaking the Waves and The Idiots) this film is a hip reworking of the classic Hollywood Musical starring international pop diva Bjork. Set somewhere in rural Washington state Czech immigrant Selma (Bjork) works in a pressing plant struggling to make ends meet for herself and her 10-year-old son Gene (Vladica Kostic). Her best friend is coworker and fellow European Kathy (Catherine Deneuve). While outside work she is maintaining a cautious friendship with local yokel Jeff (Peter Stormare). She also landed a starring role as Maria in an amateur production of The Sound of Music. Selma's life would be one of relative contentment if it were not for the ugly secret she harbors -- she is on the verge of blindness due to a genetic disorder and her young son will suffer the same fate without an operation. Selma has quietly been stashing away money for the surgery and has already amassed $2000. When her savings squirreled away in a can in the kitchen suddenly disappear she confronts her cash-strapped landlord Bill (David Morse). Of course like all musicals the plot periodically takes a backseat to the seven production numbers including a show-stopping sequence in Selma's factory. Shot entirely on digital video the film reportedly used up to 100 cameras for each musical number. Dancer in the Dark received top prizes at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival including Best Actress for Bjork and the coveted Palme d'Or for Best Picture.

Reportedly the third in acclaimed director Lars von Trier 's "Golden Hearts" trilogy ( preceded by Breaking the Waves and The Idiots ), this film is a hip reworking of the classic Hollywood Musical , starring international pop diva Bjork . Set somewhere in rural Washington state , Czech immigrant Selma ( Bjork ) works in a pressing plant , struggling to make ends meet for herself and her 10 - year - old son , Gene ( Vladica Kostic ) . Her best friend is coworker and fellow European Kathy ( Catherine Deneuve ) . While outside work , she is maintaining a cautious friendship with local yokel Jeff ( Peter Stormare ) . She also landed a starring role as Maria in an amateur production of The Sound of Music . Selma's life would be one of relative contentment if it were not for the ugly secret she harbors -- she is on the verge of blindness due to a genetic disorder , and her young son will suffer the same fate without an operation. Selma has quietly been stashing away money for the surgery and has already amassed $2 , 000. When her savings , squirreled away in a can in the kitchen , suddenly disappear , she confronts her cash - strapped landlord Bill ( David Morse ) . Of course , like all musicals , the plot periodically takes a backseat to the seven production numbers , including a show - stopping sequence in Selma's factory. Shot entirely on digital video , the film reportedly used up to 100 cameras for each musical number. Dancer in the Dark received top prizes at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival including Best Actress for Bjork and the coveted Palme d'Or for Best Picture.

Adapted from Dennis Potter's landmark British TV miniseries and relocated to the United States during the Depression Pennies from Heaven dramatizes how popular songs both shaped and reflected the thoughts of people living through economic (and emotional) hardship. Arthur Parker (Steve Martin) is a sheet music salesman who believes that he can spot a hit a mile away and wants to open his own store. But he can't get a bank loan and his wife Joan (Jessica Harper) who has savings left to her by her father refuses to give him the money. Also while Arthur has a fierce sexual appetite Joan generally refuses his advances. While on the road Arthur meets Eileen (Bernadette Peters) a shy schoolteacher as desperate for affection as Arthur is hungry for sex. They begin an affair which leads to tragedy for both. Punctuating the drama of Pennies from Heaven are elaborate musical numbers in which the characters lip-synch to popular songs of the day which at once lift their hopes and reflect their fears. Arthur's buoyant tap number to "My Baby Said Yes" and Eileen's saucy rendition of "Love is Good for Anything That Ails You" are reflections of their needs for money and love and their pas de deux on "Let's Face the Music and Dance" is at once an escape and an acknowledgement of their hopelessness.

Adapted from Dennis Potter 's landmark British TV miniseries and relocated to the United States during the Depression , Pennies from Heaven dramatizes how popular songs both shaped and reflected the thoughts of people living through economic ( and emotional ) hardship. Arthur Parker ( Steve Martin ) is a sheet music salesman who believes that he can spot a hit a mile away and wants to open his own store. But he can't get a bank loan and his wife Joan ( Jessica Harper ), who has savings left to her by her father , refuses to give him the money. Also , while Arthur has a fierce sexual appetite , Joan generally refuses his advances. While on the road , Arthur meets Eileen ( Bernadette Peters ), a shy schoolteacher as desperate for affection as Arthur is hungry for sex. They begin an affair , which leads to tragedy for both. Punctuating the drama of Pennies from Heaven are elaborate musical numbers in which the characters lip - synch to popular songs of the day , which at once lift their hopes and reflect their fears. Arthur's buoyant tap number to "My Baby Said Yes" and Eileen's saucy rendition of "Love is Good for Anything That Ails You" are reflections of their needs for money and love , and their pas de deux on "Let's Face the Music and Dance" is at once an escape and an acknowledgement of their hopelessness.

Leslie Caron plays Gigi a young girl raised by two veteran Parisian courtesans (Hermione Gingold and Isabel Jeans) to be the mistress of wealthy young Gaston (Louis Jourdan). When Gaston falls in love with Gigi and asks her to be his wife Jeans is appalled: never has anyone in their family ever stooped to anything so bourgeois as marriage! Weaving in and out of the story is Maurice Chevalier as an aging boulevardier who years earlier had been in love with Gingold's character. Chevalier gets most of the best Lerner & Loewe tunes including Thank Heaven for Little Girls I'm Glad I'm Not Young Any More and his matchless duet with Gingold I Remember it Well. Caron's best number (dubbed by Betty Wand) is The Night They Invented Champagne while Jourdan gets the honor of introducing the title song. Filmed on location in Paris Gigi won several Oscars including Best Picture; it also represented the successful American movie comeback of Chevalier who thanks to this film was "forgiven" for his reputed collaboration with the Nazis during World War II.

Leslie Caron plays Gigi , a young girl raised by two veteran Parisian courtesans ( Hermione Gingold and Isabel Jeans ) to be the mistress of wealthy young Gaston ( Louis Jourdan ) . When Gaston falls in love with Gigi and asks her to be his wife , Jeans is appalled : never has anyone in their family ever stooped to anything so bourgeois as marriage! Weaving in and out of the story is Maurice Chevalier as an aging boulevardier who , years earlier , had been in love with Gingold 's character. Chevalier gets most of the best Lerner & Loewe tunes , including Thank Heaven for Little Girls , I'm Glad I'm Not Young Any More , and his matchless duet with Gingold , I Remember it Well. Caron 's best number ( dubbed by Betty Wand ) is The Night They Invented Champagne while Jourdan gets the honor of introducing the title song. Filmed on location in Paris , Gigi won several Oscars , including Best Picture ; it also represented the successful American movie comeback of Chevalier , who thanks to this film was "forgiven" for his reputed collaboration with the Nazis during World War II.

"It's showtime!" In this part film à clef part musical phantasmagoria director/choreographer Bob Fosse takes a Felliniesque look at the life of a driven entertainer. Joe Gideon (Roy Scheider channeling Fosse) is the ultimate work (and pleasure)-aholic as he knocks back a daily dose of amphetamines to juggle a new Broadway production while editing his new movie not to mention ex-wife Audrey (Leland Palmer) steady girlfriend Kate (Ann Reinking) a young daughter and various conquests. Joe cannot however avoid intimations of mortality from white-clad vision Angelique (Jessica Lange) that lead him to look back at his life as he heads for a near-inevitable coronary and his departure from this mortal coil with the appropriate razzle-dazzle. Taking his cue from Federico Fellini's 8 1/2 (1963) Fosse moves from realistic dance numbers to extravagant flights of cinematic fancy as Joe meditates on his life his women and his death. Following a similarly dark revisionist vein as Martin Scorsese's New York New York (1977) Fosse shows the stiff price that entertaining exacts on entertainers (among other things he intercuts graphic footage of open-heart surgery with a song and dance) mercilessly reversing the feel-good mood of classical movie musicals. Critics praised Fosse's daring even as they damned his self-indulgence while Scheider was lauded for giving the best performance of his career. Though not a disastrous failure All That Jazz came nowhere near the popularity of 1978's Grease as late '70s audiences increasingly turned away from "difficult" movies. For all its excesses Fosse's fiercely personal approach turned All That Jazz into another striking work from one of the few directors able to make and experiment with movie musicals after the 1960s.

"It's showtime!" In this part film à clef , part musical phantasmagoria , director / choreographer Bob Fosse takes a Felliniesque look at the life of a driven entertainer. Joe Gideon ( Roy Scheider , channeling Fosse ) is the ultimate work ( and pleasure )- aholic , as he knocks back a daily dose of amphetamines to juggle a new Broadway production while editing his new movie , not to mention ex - wife Audrey ( Leland Palmer ), steady girlfriend Kate ( Ann Reinking ), a young daughter , and various conquests. Joe cannot , however , avoid intimations of mortality from white - clad vision Angelique ( Jessica Lange ) that lead him to look back at his life as he heads for a near - inevitable coronary and his departure from this mortal coil with the appropriate razzle - dazzle. Taking his cue from Federico Fellini 's 8 1 / 2 ( 1963 ), Fosse moves from realistic dance numbers to extravagant flights of cinematic fancy , as Joe meditates on his life , his women , and his death. Following a similarly dark revisionist vein as Martin Scorsese 's New York , New York ( 1977 ), Fosse shows the stiff price that entertaining exacts on entertainers ( among other things , he intercuts graphic footage of open - heart surgery with a song and dance ), mercilessly reversing the feel - good mood of classical movie musicals. Critics praised Fosse 's daring even as they damned his self - indulgence , while Scheider was lauded for giving the best performance of his career. Though not a disastrous failure , All That Jazz came nowhere near the popularity of 1978's Grease , as late '70s audiences increasingly turned away from "difficult" movies. For all its excesses , Fosse 's fiercely personal approach turned All That Jazz into another striking work from one of the few directors able to make , and experiment with , movie musicals after the 1960s.

Tommy (Roger Daltrey) is a "deaf dumb and blind kid" who retreats into himself after the death of his father. His mother Nora (Ann-Margret) and stepfather Frank (Oliver Reed) take him to see a specialist (Jack Nicholson) but Tommy is apparently a hopeless case. That is until Tommy discovers that "he sure plays a mean pinball." Tommy gains fame when he defeats the Pinball Wizard (Elton John) for the world championship. As a result Tommy becomes such a celebrity that he even founds his own religious cult. But his fans begin to commercialize his fame while Tommy wants to stick to the straight and narrow. When Tommy wants to end the commercialization of his message his supporters accuse him of being hypocritical and turn on him. Ann-Margret with a slinky red dress slit way up the side was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar losing out to Louise Fletcher in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Tommy ( Roger Daltrey ) is a "deaf , dumb and blind kid" who retreats into himself after the death of his father. His mother , Nora ( Ann - Margret ), and stepfather Frank ( Oliver Reed ) take him to see a specialist ( Jack Nicholson ) but Tommy is apparently a hopeless case. That is , until Tommy discovers that "he sure plays a mean pinball." Tommy gains fame when he defeats the Pinball Wizard ( Elton John ) for the world championship. As a result , Tommy becomes such a celebrity that he even founds his own religious cult. But his fans begin to commercialize his fame , while Tommy wants to stick to the straight and narrow. When Tommy wants to end the commercialization of his message , his supporters accuse him of being hypocritical and turn on him. Ann - Margret , with a slinky red dress slit way up the side , was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar , losing out to Louise Fletcher in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest .

ased extremely loosely on the Stephen Vincent Benet story Sobbin' Women" Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is one of the best MGM musicals of the 1950s. Most of the story takes place on an Oregon ranch maintained by Adam Pontabee (Howard Keel) and his six brothers played by Jeff Richards Russ Tamblyn Tommy Rall Mark Platt Matt Mattox and Jacques d'Amboise (it is no coincidence that five of those six boys are played by professional dancers). When Adam brings home his new bride Milly (Jane Powell) she is appalled at the brothers' slovenliness and sets about turning these unwashed louts into immaculate gentlemen. During the boisterous barn-raising scene the brothers get into a scuffle with a group of townsmen over the affection of six comely lasses: Virginia Gibson Julie Newmeyer (later Newmar) Ruth Kilmonis (later Ruth Lee) Nancy Kilgas Betty Carr and Norma Doggett (yep most of the girls are dancers too). Yearning to become husbands like their big brother they ask Adam for advice. Alas he has been reading a book about the abduction of the Sabine Women (or as he puts it the Sobbin' Women); and in order to claim their gals Adam explains the boys must kidnap them--which they do after blocking off all avenues of escape. Vowing to remain on their best behavior the boys make no untoward advances towards their reluctant female guests--not even during one of the coldest winters on record. Comes the spring thaw the angry townsfolk come charging up the mountain demanding the return of the stolen girls (who by this time have "tamed" their men). A happy ending is ultimately had by all in this delightful if politically incorrect concoction.

Based extremely loosely on the Stephen Vincent Benet story Sobbin' Women , " Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is one of the best MGM musicals of the 1950s. Most of the story takes place on an Oregon ranch , maintained by Adam Pontabee ( Howard Keel ) and his six brothers , played by Jeff Richards , Russ Tamblyn , Tommy Rall , Mark Platt , Matt Mattox , and Jacques d'Amboise ( it is no coincidence that five of those six boys are played by professional dancers ) . When Adam brings home his new bride Milly ( Jane Powell ), she is appalled at the brothers' slovenliness and sets about turning these unwashed louts into immaculate gentlemen. During the boisterous barn - raising scene , the brothers get into a scuffle with a group of townsmen over the affection of six comely lasses : Virginia Gibson , Julie Newmeyer ( later Newmar ), Ruth Kilmonis ( later Ruth Lee ), Nancy Kilgas , Betty Carr , and Norma Doggett ( yep , most of the girls are dancers , too ) . Yearning to become husbands like their big brother , they ask Adam for advice. Alas , he has been reading a book about the abduction of the Sabine Women ( or , as he puts it , the Sobbin' Women ); and , in order to claim their gals , Adam explains , the boys must kidnap them -- which they do , after blocking off all avenues of escape. Vowing to remain on their best behavior , the boys make no untoward advances towards their reluctant female guests -- not even during one of the coldest winters on record. Comes the spring thaw , the angry townsfolk come charging up the mountain , demanding the return of the stolen girls ( who , by this time , have "tamed" their men ) . A happy ending is ultimately had by all in this delightful if politically incorrect concoction.

Two real-life events were incorporated into the plot of the 1951 MGM musical Royal Wedding. One the marriage of Fred Astaire's sister Adele to a British nobleman had occurred years earlier; the other the wedding of England's Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip was only four years in the past. MGM would probably have gotten Royal Wedding out closer to the Elizabeth-Philip nuptials but the picture had leading-lady problems; every girl who was cast either became pregnant ill or otherwise unavailable. Finally Jane Powell was cast as the sister and partner of American-entertainer Fred Astaire. The plot has Astaire and Powell heading to Merrie Olde England to perform at the palace. Once they've arrived Powell breaks up the act when she falls in love with blueblooded Peter Lawford. Astaire himself finds romance in the form of Sarah Churchill (daughter of Sir Winston) and the four happy campers gleefully attend the titular Windsor Castle wedding. Also in the cast is Albert Sharpe fresh from his Broadway triumph in Finian's Rainbow and Keenan Wynn hilarious as twin cousins. The plot is so light that it threatens to float away at times but Royal Wedding sticks in the memory thanks to its first-rate musical numbers. The Astaire/Powell duets are entertaining enough; the real magic however occurs in Astaire's two solos: the hat-rack duet and the now-legendary tap-dance on the ceiling (even knowing how this cinematic legerdemain was accomplished does not detract from its brilliance and virtuosity). Because it has slipped into public domain Royal Wedding is one of the most easily accessible of all the Fred Astaire musicals.

Two real - life events were incorporated into the plot of the 1951 MGM musical Royal Wedding . One , the marriage of Fred Astaire 's sister Adele to a British nobleman had occurred years earlier ; the other , the wedding of England's Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip was only four years in the past. MGM would probably have gotten Royal Wedding out closer to the Elizabeth - Philip nuptials , but the picture had leading - lady problems ; every girl who was cast either became pregnant , ill , or otherwise unavailable. Finally , Jane Powell was cast as the sister and partner of American - entertainer Fred Astaire . The plot has Astaire and Powell heading to Merrie Olde England to perform at the palace. Once they've arrived , Powell breaks up the act when she falls in love with blueblooded Peter Lawford . Astaire himself finds romance in the form of Sarah Churchill ( daughter of Sir Winston ), and the four happy campers gleefully attend the titular Windsor Castle wedding. Also in the cast is Albert Sharpe , fresh from his Broadway triumph in Finian's Rainbow , and Keenan Wynn , hilarious as twin cousins. The plot is so light that it threatens to float away at times , but Royal Wedding sticks in the memory thanks to its first - rate musical numbers. The Astaire / Powell duets are entertaining enough ; the real magic , however , occurs in Astaire 's two solos : the hat - rack duet and the now - legendary tap - dance on the ceiling ( even knowing how this cinematic legerdemain was accomplished does not detract from its brilliance and virtuosity ) . Because it has slipped into public domain , Royal Wedding is one of the most easily accessible of all the Fred Astaire musicals.

The John O'Hara/Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart Broadway musical Pal Joey created quite a stir during its original theatrical run in 1940. Here we had a heel of a hero who sleeps with a wealthy older woman in order to realize his dream of owning his own nightclub and who breaks the heart of the girl who truly loves him when she impedes his plans to get ahead. Blossom Time it wasn't. Due to the seamy nature of the plot and the double- and single-entendre song lyrics (especially the original words for "Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered" which you aren't likely to hear on most mainstream recordings of this tune) Pal Joey could not be faithfully filmed back in the 1940s. Even this 1957 version made at a time when movie censorship was beginning to relax was extensively sanitized for public consumption. Ambitious singer/dancer Joey (Frank Sinatra) is still something of a louse but a redeemable one. The relationship between Joey and his older benefactress Vera Simpson (Rita Hayworth who was actually a few years younger than Sinatra) is one of implication rather than overt statement. And Joey's true love chorine Linda English (Kim Novak) is as pure as the driven snow who vehemently expresses distaste at having to perform a striptease. The Rodgers and Hart songs ("I Could Write a Book" the aforementioned "Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered") which seemed so cynical and ironic back in 1940 are given the typically lush luxurious Hollywood treatment (many of the tunes notably "There's a Small Hotel" were borrowed from other Rodgers and Hart shows a not uncommon practice of the time). Pal Joey is nice to look at and consummately performed but don't expect the bite of the original play or the John O'Hara short stories which preceded them.

The John O'Hara / Richard Rodgers / Lorenz Hart Broadway musical Pal Joey created quite a stir during its original theatrical run in 1940. Here we had a heel of a hero who sleeps with a wealthy older woman in order to realize his dream of owning his own nightclub , and who breaks the heart of the girl who truly loves him when she impedes his plans to get ahead. Blossom Time it wasn't. Due to the seamy nature of the plot and the double - and single - entendre song lyrics ( especially the original words for "Bewitched , Bothered and Bewildered" , which you aren't likely to hear on most mainstream recordings of this tune ), Pal Joey could not be faithfully filmed back in the 1940s. Even this 1957 version , made at a time when movie censorship was beginning to relax , was extensively sanitized for public consumption. Ambitious singer / dancer Joey ( Frank Sinatra ) is still something of a louse , but a redeemable one. The relationship between Joey and his older benefactress Vera Simpson ( Rita Hayworth , who was actually a few years younger than Sinatra ) is one of implication rather than overt statement. And Joey's true love , chorine Linda English ( Kim Novak ), is as pure as the driven snow , who vehemently expresses distaste at having to perform a striptease. The Rodgers and Hart songs ( "I Could Write a Book" the aforementioned "Bewitched , Bothered and Bewildered" ) which seemed so cynical and ironic back in 1940 , are given the typically lush , luxurious Hollywood treatment ( many of the tunes , notably "There's a Small Hotel" , were borrowed from other Rodgers and Hart shows , a not uncommon practice of the time ) . Pal Joey is nice to look at and consummately performed , but don't expect the bite of the original play , or the John O'Hara short stories which preceded them.

Having previously staged Verdi's 1887 opera Otello at the Met and La Scala filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli committed his production to film in 1986. Starring as the fatally jealous Moor of Venice is Placido Domingo who had also headlined Zeffirelli's 1976 La Scala staging (production on the film was briefly interrupted while Domingo participated in the rescue operations following the Mexico City earthquake). While Katia Ricciarelli as Desdemona and Justino Diaz as Iago perform their own singing Zeffirelli's Cassio--played by real-life European prince Urbano Barberini--is dubbed by Ezio de Cesare. The director made several cuts in the original libretto and score in order to accommodate the film's two-hour time limit but these excisions are done with taste and discretion. Because of the excessive violence in the third act--two murders a suicide a superficial throat-slashing--Otello was released with a PG rating.

Having previously staged Verdi 's 1887 opera Otello at the Met and La Scala , filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli committed his production to film in 1986. Starring as the fatally jealous Moor of Venice is Placido Domingo , who had also headlined Zeffirelli 's 1976 La Scala staging ( production on the film was briefly interrupted while Domingo participated in the rescue operations following the Mexico City earthquake ) . While Katia Ricciarelli as Desdemona and Justino Diaz as Iago perform their own singing , Zeffirelli 's Cassio -- played by real - life European prince Urbano Barberini -- is dubbed by Ezio de Cesare . The director made several cuts in the original libretto and score in order to accommodate the film's two - hour time limit , but these excisions are done with taste and discretion. Because of the excessive violence in the third act -- two murders , a suicide , a superficial throat - slashing -- Otello was released with a PG rating.

Elvis Presley delivers one of his finest early performances in King Creole. Elvis plays a teenager named Danny Fisher who is forced to drop out of school to help support his ineffective father (Dean Jagger). Drawn to trouble like a magnet Danny is saved from a jail term by New Orleans salloonkeeper Charlie Le Grand (Paul Stewart) who gives the boy a job as a singer. It isn't long however before local gang boss Maxie Fields (Walter Matthau) a shadowy figure from Danny's criminal past puts the muscle on the boy insisting that Danny sing at his establishment. To lure Danny to his side of the fence Maxie relies upon the seductive charms of his gun moll Ronnie (Carolyn Jones) while Danny's true love Nellie (Dolores Hart) suffers on the sidelines. In addition to the expected musical numbers (which are cleverly integrated into the storyline) the film's highlight is a brief exchange of fisticuffs between Elvis and Walter Matthau. Together with Jailhouse Rock King Creole is one of the best filmed examples of the untamed pre-army Elvis Presley. The picture was adapted from Harold Robbins' novel A Stone for Danny Fisher.

Elvis Presley delivers one of his finest early performances in King Creole . Elvis plays a teenager named Danny Fisher , who is forced to drop out of school to help support his ineffective father ( Dean Jagger ) . Drawn to trouble like a magnet , Danny is saved from a jail term by New Orleans salloonkeeper Charlie Le Grand ( Paul Stewart ), who gives the boy a job as a singer. It isn't long , however , before local gang boss Maxie Fields ( Walter Matthau ), a shadowy figure from Danny's criminal past , puts the muscle on the boy , insisting that Danny sing at his establishment. To lure Danny to his side of the fence , Maxie relies upon the seductive charms of his gun moll Ronnie ( Carolyn Jones ), while Danny's true love Nellie ( Dolores Hart ) suffers on the sidelines. In addition to the expected musical numbers ( which are cleverly integrated into the storyline ), the film's highlight is a brief exchange of fisticuffs between Elvis and Walter Matthau . Together with Jailhouse Rock , King Creole is one of the best filmed examples of the untamed , pre - army Elvis Presley . The picture was adapted from Harold Robbins ' novel A Stone for Danny Fisher .

Reportedly Vincente Minnelli turned down the opportunity to film Brigadoon on location in Scotland insisting that MGM's studio mockups looked more Scottish than the genuine article. This lavish adaptation of the Lerner and Loewe Broadway musical stars Gene Kelly as an American tourist who stumbles upon an enchanted Scottish village. Every 100 years the people of Brigadoon awaken for a 24-hour period then go back to sleep for another century while Brigadoon itself vanishes in the mists. Tommy Albright (Kelly) falls in love with village lass Fiona Campbell (Cyd Charisse) while his hard-drinking pal Jeff Douglas (Van Johnson) dismisses the legend -- and indeed the existence of Brigadoon as a result of delirium. Fiona's betrothed Harry Beaton (Hugh Laing) upset by Kelly's intervention threatens to leave Brigadoon -- an act that will spell doom for its residents. When this crisis has passed Tommy is persuaded against his better judgment to escape Brigadoon himself and return to his own fiancée (Elaine Stewart) in New York. But the love between Tommy and Fiona results in a miraculous finale. Most of the Lerner-Loewe score remains intact including the hit songs "Almost Like Being in Love" "Heather on the Hill" and "Come to Me Bend to Me."

Reportedly , Vincente Minnelli turned down the opportunity to film Brigadoon on location in Scotland insisting that MGM's studio mockups looked more Scottish than the genuine article. This lavish adaptation of the Lerner and Loewe Broadway musical stars Gene Kelly as an American tourist who stumbles upon an enchanted Scottish village. Every 100 years , the people of Brigadoon awaken for a 24 - hour period , then go back to sleep for another century while Brigadoon itself vanishes in the mists. Tommy Albright ( Kelly ) falls in love with village lass Fiona Campbell ( Cyd Charisse ) while his hard - drinking pal , Jeff Douglas ( Van Johnson ), dismisses the legend -- and indeed the existence of Brigadoon as a result of delirium. Fiona's betrothed Harry Beaton ( Hugh Laing ), upset by Kelly 's intervention , threatens to leave Brigadoon -- an act that will spell doom for its residents. When this crisis has passed , Tommy is persuaded against his better judgment to escape Brigadoon himself and return to his own fiancée ( Elaine Stewart ) in New York. But the love between Tommy and Fiona results in a miraculous finale. Most of the Lerner - Loewe score remains intact , including the hit songs "Almost Like Being in Love , " "Heather on the Hill , " and "Come to Me Bend to Me."

Jacques Demy directed this frothy tribute to the Hollywood musicals of the 1940s a follow-up to his earlier success The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964). Twin sisters Delphine and Solange (played by real-life sisters Catherine Deneuve and Françoise Dorleac) live in the small coastal town of Rochefort where they run a school teaching dancing and music. Both feel frustrated in Rochefort and they dream of travelling to Paris where they believe romance and opportunity awaits them. Meanwhile their single mother Yvonne (Danielle Darrieux) who runs a cafe in town pines for her lost love Simon (Michel Piccoli). One day one of Yvonne's regular customers a sailor with an artistic bent named Maxence (Jacques Perrin) shows her a painting of the imaginary girl of his dreams and she looks just like Delphine whom he's never met. Meanwhile Simon has returned to Rochefort bringing with him a close friend American pianist Andy Miller (Gene Kelly); Simon has made friends with Solange and introduces her to Andy who immediately falls in love with her. Sadly Les Demoiselles de Rochefort was Françoise Dorleac's last film; she died in an auto accident shortly after completing the picture.

Jacques Demy directed this frothy tribute to the Hollywood musicals of the 1940s , a follow - up to his earlier success The Umbrellas of Cherbourg ( 1964 ) . Twin sisters Delphine and Solange ( played by real - life sisters Catherine Deneuve and Françoise Dorleac ) live in the small coastal town of Rochefort , where they run a school teaching dancing and music. Both feel frustrated in Rochefort , and they dream of travelling to Paris , where they believe romance and opportunity awaits them. Meanwhile , their single mother , Yvonne ( Danielle Darrieux ), who runs a cafe in town , pines for her lost love , Simon ( Michel Piccoli ) . One day , one of Yvonne's regular customers , a sailor with an artistic bent named Maxence ( Jacques Perrin ), shows her a painting of the imaginary girl of his dreams , and she looks just like Delphine , whom he's never met. Meanwhile , Simon has returned to Rochefort , bringing with him a close friend , American pianist Andy Miller ( Gene Kelly ); Simon has made friends with Solange and introduces her to Andy , who immediately falls in love with her. Sadly , Les Demoiselles de Rochefort was Françoise Dorleac 's last film ; she died in an auto accident shortly after completing the picture.

Lost in the Stars was an American Film Theatre adaptation of the musical play by Maxwell Anderson and Kurt Weill--which in turn was based on the Alain Paton novel Cry the Beloved Country. Brock Peters portrays a South African minister who goes to the Big City to locate his son Raymond St. Jacques who is now a criminal in the eyes of the white rulers. The minister forges a curious foredoomed friendship with a white farmer (Paul Rogers). Lost in the Stars has sometimes been accused of blunting the edge of Paton's angry study of the cruelties of Apartheid; fans of musical theatre will be more politely inclined to this loving filmization of the Broadway play. On its own Cry the Beloved Country was previously filmed in 1951 with Canada Lee Sidney Poitier and Charles Carson.

Lost in the Stars was an American Film Theatre adaptation of the musical play by Maxwell Anderson and Kurt Weill -- which in turn was based on the Alain Paton novel Cry the Beloved Country . Brock Peters portrays a South African minister who goes to the Big City to locate his son Raymond St. Jacques , who is now a criminal in the eyes of the white rulers. The minister forges a curious , foredoomed friendship with a white farmer ( Paul Rogers ) . Lost in the Stars has sometimes been accused of blunting the edge of Paton's angry study of the cruelties of Apartheid ; fans of musical theatre will be more politely inclined to this loving filmization of the Broadway play. On its own , Cry the Beloved Country was previously filmed in 1951 , with Canada Lee , Sidney Poitier and Charles Carson .

As Finland's withdrawal from World War II draws ever closer a tentative relationship between an abandoned Finnish soldier a Lapp woman and a Russian captain accused of anti-Soviet correspondence offers momentary solace to a trio of lost souls. Dressed in a German uniform and tied to a rock after being branded a pacifist by his fellow soldiers Finnish sniper Veiko (Ville Haapasalo) attempts to break free before being spotted by Russian soldiers and shot. Peering through the scope on his rifle after finally escaping Veiko bears witness to the accidental bombing of a Russian envoy carrying a captain accused of collaborating with the enemy. As Anni (Anni-Christina Juuso) a Laplander whose husband is off to war scavenges for food she runs across the bombing and finds disgraced soldier Ivan (Viktor Bychkov) clinging to life. Bringing him back to her house to nurse him to health Anni is shocked when Veiko arrives in search of tools to remove his shackles. As language barriers keep the threesome from effectively communicating Ivan's suspicions that Veiko is actually a German soldier begin to mount. Veiko and Anni's bond begins to grow and as the lonely widow seduces Veiko Ivan's jealousy and suspicions culminate in an attempt to murder the hapless Finnish sniper.

As Finland's withdrawal from World War II draws ever closer , a tentative relationship between an abandoned Finnish soldier , a Lapp woman , and a Russian captain accused of anti - Soviet correspondence offers momentary solace to a trio of lost souls. Dressed in a German uniform and tied to a rock after being branded a pacifist by his fellow soldiers , Finnish sniper Veiko ( Ville Haapasalo ) attempts to break free before being spotted by Russian soldiers and shot. Peering through the scope on his rifle after finally escaping , Veiko bears witness to the accidental bombing of a Russian envoy carrying a captain accused of collaborating with the enemy. As Anni ( Anni - Christina Juuso ), a Laplander whose husband is off to war , scavenges for food , she runs across the bombing and finds disgraced soldier Ivan ( Viktor Bychkov ) clinging to life. Bringing him back to her house to nurse him to health , Anni is shocked when Veiko arrives in search of tools to remove his shackles. As language barriers keep the threesome from effectively communicating , Ivan's suspicions that Veiko is actually a German soldier begin to mount. Veiko and Anni's bond begins to grow , and as the lonely widow seduces Veiko , Ivan's jealousy and suspicions culminate in an attempt to murder the hapless Finnish sniper.

Political rivals divided by a bloody war are forced to come to terms with one another in this drama which was adapted from Leo Tolstoy's short story "Prisoner of the Caucasus." In Chechnya two Russian soldiers nervous rookie Vania (Sergei Bodrov Jr.) and hardened veteran Sasha (Oleg Menshikov) are captured by Muslim forces. Abdul-Murat (Dzhemal Sikharulidze) the leader of the village where the soldiers are held also has a son in the war who is being held as a prisoner of war by the Russians. Abdul-Murat demands the release of his son in exchange for sparing Vania and Sasha and a level of understanding and respect begins to grow between the Russians and their captors. Kavkazsky Plennik released in the U.S. as Prisoner of the Mountains received both Oscar and Golden Globe nominations as Best Foreign Language Film of 1997.

Political rivals , divided by a bloody war , are forced to come to terms with one another in this drama , which was adapted from Leo Tolstoy 's short story "Prisoner of the Caucasus." In Chechnya , two Russian soldiers , nervous rookie Vania ( Sergei Bodrov , Jr. ) and hardened veteran Sasha ( Oleg Menshikov ), are captured by Muslim forces. Abdul - Murat ( Dzhemal Sikharulidze ), the leader of the village where the soldiers are held , also has a son in the war , who is being held as a prisoner of war by the Russians. Abdul - Murat demands the release of his son in exchange for sparing Vania and Sasha , and a level of understanding and respect begins to grow between the Russians and their captors. Kavkazsky Plennik , released in the U.S. as Prisoner of the Mountains , received both Oscar and Golden Globe nominations as Best Foreign Language Film of 1997.

Each film of Alexandre Sokurov considered by many the living Andrei Tarkovsky of the Russian cinema is a new revelation. Moloch's narrative structure is based on the relationship between one of the most important figures of the twentieth century Adolf Hitler and the only person who ever dared to contradict him his beloved Eva Braun. The year is 1942. On the majestic terraces of the ominous fortress of Berchtesgaden perched above the Bavarian Alps a woman prances in the nude waving randomly at the spying telescopes. This is the restless Eva (Elena Rufanova) who is waiting for her beloved "Adi" the Fuhrer (eonid Mosgovoi) who arrives with a thunder and bolt. In his entourage are his right-hand man Martin Bormann and his propaganda specialist Joseph Goebbels with his loving wife Magda. The scene is set for a peaceful retreat of several hours. However an uncontrollable war is raging in the heart of Eva who is caught in the complexities of a man incapable of intimacy. Rather than a historical treatise the film is a psychological study of the man who was the terror of the twentieth century and the person who was the closest to him. The clue to how it all happened seems to be hidden in some of the intimate moments between the two characters. Sokurov is dealing with a very sensitive subject in a film which is a complex reflection on power. Each frame carries the mark of his previous nine films and is a testimony to his meticulous art. Moloch is a very powerful film that gives the impression that time is suspended. Particularly for this reason it is not recommended to those who like their cinema fast paced and light-hearted. Sokurov used Russian theater actors from St. Petersburg to shoot the film but their voices were later dubbed by theater actors from Berlin. The film received the Best Screenplay award of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival 1999.

Each film of Alexandre Sokurov , considered by many the living Andrei Tarkovsky of the Russian cinema , is a new revelation. Moloch 's narrative structure is based on the relationship between one of the most important figures of the twentieth century , Adolf Hitler , and the only person who ever dared to contradict him , his beloved Eva Braun. The year is 1942. On the majestic terraces of the ominous fortress of Berchtesgaden , perched above the Bavarian Alps , a woman prances in the nude , waving randomly at the spying telescopes. This is the restless Eva ( Elena Rufanova ), who is waiting for her beloved "Adi , " the Fuhrer ( eonid Mosgovoi ), who arrives with a thunder and bolt. In his entourage are his right - hand man Martin Bormann and his propaganda specialist Joseph Goebbels with his loving wife , Magda. The scene is set for a peaceful retreat of several hours. However , an uncontrollable war is raging in the heart of Eva , who is caught in the complexities of a man incapable of intimacy. Rather than a historical treatise , the film is a psychological study of the man who was the terror of the twentieth century and the person who was the closest to him. The clue to how it all happened seems to be hidden in some of the intimate moments between the two characters. Sokurov is dealing with a very sensitive subject in a film which is a complex reflection on power. Each frame carries the mark of his previous nine films and is a testimony to his meticulous art. Moloch is a very powerful film that gives the impression that time is suspended. Particularly for this reason , it is not recommended to those who like their cinema fast paced and light - hearted. Sokurov used Russian theater actors from St. Petersburg to shoot the film , but their voices were later dubbed by theater actors from Berlin. The film received the Best Screenplay award of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival , 1999.

A boy and his mother try to get by in the Soviet Union of the 1950s in this tragedy written and directed by Pavel Chukrai. The joint Russian-French production opens with a woman falling down in the snow and mud to give birth to a child in 1946. The boy's father is a soldier who died in the war. Katya (Yekaterina Rednikova) and her son Sanya (Misha Philipchuk) are next seen six years later on a train. Poor and desperate she falls in love with a rakish soldier Tolyan (Vladimir Mashkov). Tolyan pretends to be Katya's husband and uses his credentials as a war veteran to get an apartment without paying money in advance -- he turns out to be a brutal and abusive man. He teaches Sanya his ruthless code of manhood while rolling razor blades in his mouth with his tongue. Tolyan also brags to the boy that he is a secret son of Stalin. After several weeks of mooching off and seducing the other tenants Tolyan buys them all dinner and tickets to a circus. During the performance he sneaks back to the building and robs everyone. Katya is suspicious that he is carrying on with a female tenant he has been flirting with and she returns to catch him in his burglary. He tells her she can escape with him or stay behind but she has no skills and no prospect of work so she takes Sanya and follows him. Katya becomes a part of his con game as they move from city to city working the same schemes. Tolyan also teaches Sanya his thieving ways.

A boy and his mother try to get by in the Soviet Union of the 1950s in this tragedy written and directed by Pavel Chukrai . The joint Russian - French production opens with a woman falling down in the snow and mud to give birth to a child in 1946. The boy's father is a soldier who died in the war. Katya ( Yekaterina Rednikova ) and her son Sanya ( Misha Philipchuk ) are next seen six years later on a train. Poor and desperate , she falls in love with a rakish soldier , Tolyan ( Vladimir Mashkov ) . Tolyan pretends to be Katya's husband and uses his credentials as a war veteran to get an apartment without paying money in advance -- he turns out to be a brutal and abusive man. He teaches Sanya his ruthless code of manhood while rolling razor blades in his mouth with his tongue. Tolyan also brags to the boy that he is a secret son of Stalin. After several weeks of mooching off and seducing the other tenants , Tolyan buys them all dinner and tickets to a circus. During the performance he sneaks back to the building and robs everyone. Katya is suspicious that he is carrying on with a female tenant he has been flirting with , and she returns to catch him in his burglary. He tells her she can escape with him or stay behind , but she has no skills and no prospect of work , so she takes Sanya and follows him. Katya becomes a part of his con game as they move from city to city , working the same schemes. Tolyan also teaches Sanya his thieving ways.

Young Russian Danila returns home after serving a two-year military stint and discovers that his big brother has become a hit man for mobsters in St. Petersburg and is deeply involved in a Mafia war. Wanting to help Danila joins the mobsters to become his brother Viktor's assistant. Aimed a younger audiences this ironic thriller follows Danila's adventures after he successfully completes his first assignment the murder of The Chechen a prominent crimelord. During the hit Danila is wounded and ends up taken care of by a man known only as the German. Meanwhile The Chechen's men are in hot pursuit. Even though Danila spends the bulk of his time trying to avoid them he also finds a few moments to have a couple of brief love affairs.

Young Russian Danila returns home after serving a two - year military stint and discovers that his big brother has become a hit man for mobsters in St. Petersburg and is deeply involved in a Mafia war. Wanting to help , Danila joins the mobsters to become his brother Viktor's assistant. Aimed a younger audiences , this ironic thriller follows Danila's adventures after he successfully completes his first assignment , the murder of The Chechen , a prominent crimelord. During the hit , Danila is wounded and ends up taken care of by a man known only as the German. Meanwhile The Chechen's men are in hot pursuit. Even though Danila spends the bulk of his time trying to avoid them , he also finds a few moments to have a couple of brief love affairs.

In this comedy-fantasy a group of Russian eccentrics discover that they can go to Paris from their home in St. Petersburg by leaping through an apartment window. The first eccentric is Nikolay an oddball teacher. Next is his rotund crude neighbor Gorokhov and his family. One night Nikolay and Gorokhov climb through a hidden window to get on the roof. They get rip-roarin' drunk the destroy the studio apartment of Nicole an artist. It is only in the morning that they realize that they were actually in Paris. Soon Gorokhov's whole family is going to Paris where they loot and bring back Western goods into Russia. It is Nicole's apartment they go to and she is going crazy by their repeated visits. She turns the tables and climbs through the window to their home. She is appalled by modern St. Petersburg with its violence poverty and political upheaval. She gets into trouble with the local police but is saved by Nikolay who convinces them that she is Edith Piaf on tour. Later Nikolay decides to take his students to Paris. Unfortunately they don't want to leave and the window is going to close for the next 20 years.

In this comedy - fantasy a group of Russian eccentrics discover that they can go to Paris from their home in St. Petersburg by leaping through an apartment window. The first eccentric is Nikolay , an oddball teacher. Next is his rotund , crude neighbor Gorokhov and his family. One night Nikolay and Gorokhov climb through a hidden window to get on the roof. They get rip - roarin' drunk the destroy the studio apartment of Nicole , an artist. It is only in the morning that they realize that they were actually in Paris. Soon Gorokhov's whole family is going to Paris where they loot and bring back Western goods into Russia. It is Nicole's apartment they go to and she is going crazy by their repeated visits. She turns the tables and climbs through the window to their home. She is appalled by modern St. Petersburg with its violence , poverty , and political upheaval. She gets into trouble with the local police but is saved by Nikolay who convinces them that she is Edith Piaf on tour. Later Nikolay decides to take his students to Paris. Unfortunately , they don't want to leave and the window is going to close for the next 20 years.

Luis Buñuel's Tristana is a surreal criticism of Catholicism and the modern world told through the story of the title character who is portrayed by Catherine Deneuve. Tristana is a young Spanish woman left to the care of Don Lope (Fernando Rey) the protective but impoverished aristocrat. Don sells his possessions to avoid manual labor and champions the causes of the dispossessed and downtrodden of society. He takes advantage of the vulnerable Tristana who leaves him when she falls in love with Horacio (Franco Nero). Unable to commit to him she returns to Don Lope when she falls ill. He asks for her hand in marriage and she accepts after losing her leg to cancer. She chooses to remain in a passionless union rather than be subject to the harsh realities of a society that refuses to change to the needs of women. Taken from the novel by celebrated author Benito Perez Galdos the film -- wherein director Buñuel takes his usual jabs at religion and politics -- is a tribute to the author on the 50th anniversary of his death.

Luis Buñuel 's Tristana is a surreal criticism of Catholicism and the modern world , told through the story of the title character , who is portrayed by Catherine Deneuve . Tristana is a young Spanish woman left to the care of Don Lope ( Fernando Rey ), the protective but impoverished aristocrat. Don sells his possessions to avoid manual labor and champions the causes of the dispossessed and downtrodden of society. He takes advantage of the vulnerable Tristana , who leaves him when she falls in love with Horacio ( Franco Nero ) . Unable to commit to him , she returns to Don Lope when she falls ill. He asks for her hand in marriage , and she accepts after losing her leg to cancer. She chooses to remain in a passionless union rather than be subject to the harsh realities of a society that refuses to change to the needs of women. Taken from the novel by celebrated author Benito Perez Galdos , the film -- wherein director Buñuel takes his usual jabs at religion and politics -- is a tribute to the author on the 50th anniversary of his death.

This Pedro Almodóvar melodrama examines how several lives are changed by a single gunshot. Adapting the novel Live Flesh by British mystery author Ruth Rendell Almodóvar has given the material a Spanish makeover with added political thrust. Beginning in 1970 in Franco's Madrid when a prostitute (Penelope Cruz) gives birth to a son Victor the story leaps forward to contemporary Madrid. Wealthy diplomat's daughter Elena (Francesca Neri) is watching Luis Buñuel's The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de La Cruz (1955) while waiting for the arrival of her heroin dealer and she buzzes Victor (Liberto Rabal) (with whom she made a date then forgot about him) into the building. In the confusion that follows two cops David (Javier Bardem) and Sancho (Jose Sancho) arrive and a gun goes off. The story then makes another leap to four years later: Victor is in prison while Elena no longer on drugs runs a disadvantaged children's shelter and is married to wheelchair-bound David. After his release Victor visits his mother's grave and spots David and Elena at the cemetery -- where David meets philandering wife Clara (Angela Molina). Fate interweaves the tangled interrelationships of all into a complex tapestry of destiny and guilt. Shown at 1997 London and New York film festivals.

This Pedro Almodóvar melodrama examines how several lives are changed by a single gunshot. Adapting the novel Live Flesh by British mystery author Ruth Rendell , Almodóvar has given the material a Spanish makeover with added political thrust. Beginning in 1970 in Franco's Madrid , when a prostitute ( Penelope Cruz ) gives birth to a son , Victor , the story leaps forward to contemporary Madrid. Wealthy diplomat's daughter Elena ( Francesca Neri ) is watching Luis Buñuel 's The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de La Cruz ( 1955 ) while waiting for the arrival of her heroin dealer , and she buzzes Victor ( Liberto Rabal ) ( with whom she made a date , then forgot about him ) into the building. In the confusion that follows , two cops , David ( Javier Bardem ) and Sancho ( Jose Sancho ) arrive , and a gun goes off. The story then makes another leap to four years later : Victor is in prison , while Elena , no longer on drugs , runs a disadvantaged children's shelter and is married to wheelchair - bound David. After his release , Victor visits his mother's grave and spots David and Elena at the cemetery -- where David meets philandering wife Clara ( Angela Molina ) . Fate interweaves the tangled interrelationships of all into a complex tapestry of destiny and guilt. Shown at 1997 London and New York film festivals.

Vicente Aranda's Lovers is set in Spain mostly in Madrid during the 1950s. The story line is reminiscent of Theodore Dreiser's classic An American Tragedy (which was filmed as A Place in the Sun) wherein a passive amoral and shallow protagonist inadvertently destroys the lives of two women who love him. The handsome Paco (Jorge Sanz who also starred in Belle Epoque and has been called "the Spanish Tom Cruise") is a young soldier involved with a virginal maid Trini (Maribel Verdu of Y Tu Mama Tambien). Trini is saving her money and planning for their wedding but Paco tells her not to worry that he will find a job and save money for them. Paco leaves the army but has trouble finding and keeping a steady job. He ends up renting a cheap room from Luisa (Spanish superstar Victoria Abril best known for her work in Pedro Almodovar's films) a beautiful and mysterious widow. Before long Luisa has seduced the sexually frustrated Paco and involved him in her moneymaking scams. Trini quickly figures out what is going on and makes a desperate effort to win back Paco's affection. Paco is obsessed with the sexually experienced and voracious older woman but is unable to break off his long-term relationship with Trini. He attempts to string them both along with disastrous results. The film was the first of veteran filmmaker Aranda to get a theatrical release in the United States thanks largely to Abril's star power and caused a minor sensation with its sexual explicitness in particular the infamous "handkerchief scene."

Vicente Aranda 's Lovers is set in Spain , mostly in Madrid , during the 1950s. The story line is reminiscent of Theodore Dreiser 's classic An American Tragedy ( which was filmed as A Place in the Sun ), wherein a passive , amoral , and shallow protagonist inadvertently destroys the lives of two women who love him. The handsome Paco ( Jorge Sanz , who also starred in Belle Epoque and has been called "the Spanish Tom Cruise " ) is a young soldier involved with a virginal maid , Trini ( Maribel Verdu of Y Tu Mama Tambien ) . Trini is saving her money and planning for their wedding , but Paco tells her not to worry , that he will find a job and save money for them. Paco leaves the army , but has trouble finding and keeping a steady job. He ends up renting a cheap room from Luisa ( Spanish superstar Victoria Abril , best known for her work in Pedro Almodovar 's films ), a beautiful and mysterious widow. Before long , Luisa has seduced the sexually frustrated Paco , and involved him in her moneymaking scams. Trini quickly figures out what is going on , and makes a desperate effort to win back Paco's affection. Paco is obsessed with the sexually experienced and voracious older woman , but is unable to break off his long - term relationship with Trini. He attempts to string them both along , with disastrous results. The film was the first of veteran filmmaker Aranda to get a theatrical release in the United States , thanks largely to Abril 's star power , and caused a minor sensation with its sexual explicitness , in particular the infamous "handkerchief scene."

Once-great Spanish matador Nacho Martinez has been reduced to starring in gruesome "snuff" films. Martinez is idolized by Antonio Banderas who has no notion of his idol's current illegal profession. Terrified at the thought of drawing blood in the bullring Banderas nevertheless seeks out Martinez' assistance in preparing for a bullfighting career. To prove his "machismo" Banderas rapes Martinez' lady-friend Eva Cobo. No one will believe Banderas' confession of the rape so he decides to attach more importance to his crime by confessing to a recent rash of serial killings (actually perpetrated by Martinez and his cohorts). Bandera's case is taken by feminist attorney Assumpta Serna who unwittingly--but not unwillingly--sets herself up as Martinez' next "conquest."

Once - great Spanish matador Nacho Martinez has been reduced to starring in gruesome "snuff" films. Martinez is idolized by Antonio Banderas , who has no notion of his idol's current illegal profession. Terrified at the thought of drawing blood in the bullring , Banderas nevertheless seeks out Martinez' assistance in preparing for a bullfighting career. To prove his "machismo" , Banderas rapes Martinez' lady - friend Eva Cobo . No one will believe Banderas' confession of the rape , so he decides to attach more importance to his crime by confessing to a recent rash of serial killings ( actually perpetrated by Martinez and his cohorts ) . Bandera's case is taken by feminist attorney Assumpta Serna , who unwittingly -- but not unwillingly -- sets herself up as Martinez' next "conquest."

The line between dreams and reality become increasingly blurred after a womanizing playboy is nearly killed by a jilted lover in Spanish director Alejandro Amenabar's masterful sophomore effort Abre Los Ojos (Open Your Eyes). It would seem as if Cesar (Eduardo Noriega) has it all. Handsome charming and with money to burn he can get any girl he wants and usually does so on a nightly basis. Following a birthday party in which he chats up Sofia (Penelope Cruz) the date of his best friend Pelayo (Fele Martinez) Cesar is plunged headfirst into a nightmare world when jealous former lover Nuria (Najwa Nimri) swallows a handful of pills and sends her car careening into a cement wall with the terrified playboy as her hapless passenger. With his formerly strikingly handsome face now twisted into a hideous mass of scarred flesh Cesar's ugly emotions are now externalized for all to see. Pining for a plastic-surgery miracle to return him to his former glory so that he can seek out Sofia and take a chance at real love he is pleasantly surprised when the doctors make a breakthrough and Sofia accepts him back into her life. Although all seems perfect for the moment the formerly soulless player finds that this is only the beginning of his increasingly disturbing journey. Why is Sofia changing appearance and turning into Nuria periodically? And why won't the police and his psychiatrist believe Cesar's desperate attempts to rationalize a world that is growing increasingly surreal? Could it have something to do with a doctor Cesar has seen on television who keeps appearing and attempting to help him out of his nightmare? Peeling away at the layers of his subconscious Cesar begins to realize that reality is no more than a state of mind and that in order to get his life back he may be forced to take unthinkable measures.

The line between dreams and reality become increasingly blurred after a womanizing playboy is nearly killed by a jilted lover in Spanish director Alejandro Amenabar 's masterful sophomore effort Abre Los Ojos ( Open Your Eyes ) . It would seem as if Cesar ( Eduardo Noriega ) has it all. Handsome , charming , and with money to burn , he can get any girl he wants , and usually does so on a nightly basis. Following a birthday party in which he chats up Sofia ( Penelope Cruz ), the date of his best friend Pelayo ( Fele Martinez ), Cesar is plunged headfirst into a nightmare world when jealous former lover Nuria ( Najwa Nimri ) swallows a handful of pills and sends her car careening into a cement wall with the terrified playboy as her hapless passenger. With his formerly strikingly handsome face now twisted into a hideous mass of scarred flesh , Cesar's ugly emotions are now externalized for all to see. Pining for a plastic - surgery miracle to return him to his former glory so that he can seek out Sofia and take a chance at real love , he is pleasantly surprised when the doctors make a breakthrough and Sofia accepts him back into her life. Although all seems perfect for the moment , the formerly soulless player finds that this is only the beginning of his increasingly disturbing journey. Why is Sofia changing appearance and turning into Nuria periodically? And why won't the police and his psychiatrist believe Cesar's desperate attempts to rationalize a world that is growing increasingly surreal? Could it have something to do with a doctor Cesar has seen on television who keeps appearing and attempting to help him out of his nightmare? Peeling away at the layers of his subconscious , Cesar begins to realize that reality is no more than a state of mind , and that in order to get his life back he may be forced to take unthinkable measures.

From Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar (Live Flesh All About My Mother) comes this offbeat drama about Leo Macías (Marisa Paredes) a romance novelist who writes her trashy tomes under the pseudonym Amanda Gris. When her marriage begins to dissolve Leo finds herself falling into despair leading her to drink and lose her knack for writing her tawdry tales. Out of her turmoil she writes a bleak novel that garners no attention. To make matters worse Ángel (Juan Echanove) a newspaper editor with a romantic interest in Leo hires her to write a scathing review of Amanda Gris not realizing Gris is Leo's nom de plume. Nominated for several Goya awards La Flor de Mi Secreto also stars Carmen Elías and Rossy de Palma.

From Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar ( Live Flesh , All About My Mother ) comes this offbeat drama about Leo Macías ( Marisa Paredes ), a romance novelist who writes her trashy tomes under the pseudonym Amanda Gris. When her marriage begins to dissolve , Leo finds herself falling into despair , leading her to drink and lose her knack for writing her tawdry tales. Out of her turmoil , she writes a bleak novel that garners no attention. To make matters worse , Ángel ( Juan Echanove ), a newspaper editor with a romantic interest in Leo , hires her to write a scathing review of Amanda Gris , not realizing Gris is Leo's nom de plume . Nominated for several Goya awards , La Flor de Mi Secreto also stars Carmen Elías and Rossy de Palma .

Class sex and food are the obsessions of this Spanish comedy drama an international hit from writer and director J.J. Bigas Luna that plays like a cross between the lusty Like Water for Chocolate (1992) and the early work of Pedro Almodovar. In a small town in Spain's arid Monegros region young underwear factory executive Jose Luis (Jordi Molla) falls in love with the beautiful Silvia (Penelope Cruz) a worker on the shop floor. When Silvia becomes pregnant Jose Luis wants to marry her but his mother Conchita (Stefania Sandrelli) the factory owner is appalled by the thought of her son marrying a working-class girl especially one who is the daughter of a prostitute Carmen (Anna Galiena). So Conchita hatches a scheme to woo Silvia away from her son by hiring handsome model Raul (Javier Bardem) to seduce the girl. A ham factory employee with aspirations to become a bullfighter Raul's charms work their magic on both Silvia and Conchita much to the dismay of Jose Luis who seeks comfort in the arms of his sometime lover Carmen. Jamon Jamon (1992) was the winner of a Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

Class , sex , and food are the obsessions of this Spanish comedy drama , an international hit from writer and director J.J. Bigas Luna that plays like a cross between the lusty Like Water for Chocolate ( 1992 ) and the early work of Pedro Almodovar . In a small town in Spain's arid Monegros region , young underwear factory executive Jose Luis ( Jordi Molla ) falls in love with the beautiful Silvia ( Penelope Cruz ), a worker on the shop floor. When Silvia becomes pregnant , Jose Luis wants to marry her , but his mother Conchita ( Stefania Sandrelli ), the factory owner , is appalled by the thought of her son marrying a working - class girl , especially one who is the daughter of a prostitute , Carmen ( Anna Galiena ) . So Conchita hatches a scheme to woo Silvia away from her son by hiring handsome model Raul ( Javier Bardem ) to seduce the girl. A ham factory employee with aspirations to become a bullfighter , Raul's charms work their magic on both Silvia and Conchita , much to the dismay of Jose Luis , who seeks comfort in the arms of his sometime lover , Carmen. Jamon Jamon ( 1992 ) was the winner of a Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival .

After striking responsive chord at the Berlin Film Festival Fernando Trueba's Belle Epoque (aka Age of Beauty) went on to win 9 Spanish Goya awards and an Academy Award for "Best Foreign Film." Set in pre-Franco Spain film stars Jorge Sanz as Fernando a carefree pacifistic army deserter. Wandering about the countryside Fernando is welcomed into home of the wealthy Don Manolo (Fernando Fernan Gomez). Far from upset by the boy's AWOL status Manolo is delighted because he shares Fernando's political philosophies. What follows is sheer heaven for the peaceloving lad who sits smilingly on the sidelines as Manolo's four voluptuous daughters (Adrian Gil Maribel Verdu Miriam Diaz-Aroca and Penelope Cruz) literally fight for his attentions.

After striking responsive chord at the Berlin Film Festival , Fernando Trueba 's Belle Epoque ( aka Age of Beauty ) went on to win 9 Spanish Goya awards and an Academy Award for "Best Foreign Film." Set in pre - Franco Spain , film stars Jorge Sanz as Fernando , a carefree , pacifistic army deserter. Wandering about the countryside , Fernando is welcomed into home of the wealthy Don Manolo ( Fernando Fernan Gomez ) . Far from upset by the boy's AWOL status , Manolo is delighted because he shares Fernando's political philosophies. What follows is sheer heaven for the peaceloving lad , who sits smilingly on the sidelines as Manolo's four voluptuous daughters ( Adrian Gil , Maribel Verdu , Miriam Diaz - Aroca , and Penelope Cruz ) literally fight for his attentions.

Popular film director Pablo Quintero (Eusebio Poncela) has found a new love in the form of handsome blue-collar Juan (Miguel Molina). Not altogether comfortable with his lifestyle Juan decides to leave Pablo for a while to contemplate his future. Pablo insists that Juan keep in touch by sending him love letters. Ever the director he plans to write the letters himself and have Juan mail them back with his signature. If you think that settles things you don't know filmmaker Pedro Almodovar. Among the many plot complications in Law of Desire is Pablo's subsequent romance with the possessive Antonio (Antonio Banderas whose "gay kiss" in the film prompted front-page headlines in the Brazilian press) and Pablo's efforts to film the life story of his sister (Carmen Maura) who started out life as his brother.

Popular film director Pablo Quintero ( Eusebio Poncela ) has found a new love in the form of handsome blue - collar Juan ( Miguel Molina ) . Not altogether comfortable with his lifestyle , Juan decides to leave Pablo for a while to contemplate his future. Pablo insists that Juan keep in touch by sending him love letters. Ever the director , he plans to write the letters himself , and have Juan mail them back with his signature. If you think that settles things , you don't know filmmaker Pedro Almodovar . Among the many plot complications in Law of Desire is Pablo's subsequent romance with the possessive Antonio ( Antonio Banderas , whose "gay kiss" in the film prompted front - page headlines in the Brazilian press ), and Pablo's efforts to film the life story of his sister ( Carmen Maura ), who started out life as his brother.

Veteran director Jose Luis Cuerda delivered this sensitive portrait of a child coming of age during a tense political situation just before the Spanish Civil War. On his first day of school frail eight-year-old Moncho (Manuel Lozano) is so terrified by the imposing figure of his teacher Don Gregorio (Fernando Fernan Gomez) that he flees into the nearby woods. In spite of his authoritarian appearance the schoolmaster proves to be a kind free-thinking Republican who teaches Moncho the virtues of being good. The boy is soon spending much of his time with the elderly Gregorio in the Galician countryside admiring such wonders of nature as the tongue of a butterfly. Other people in young Moncho's world include his down-to-earth mother (Uxia Blanco) his Republican father and his older brother who plays the saxophone with a group of local musicians. However when the Fascists roll into town the boy's life changes forever. La Lengua de las Mariposas was screened at the 1999 San Sebastian Film Festival.

Veteran director Jose Luis Cuerda delivered this sensitive portrait of a child coming of age during a tense political situation just before the Spanish Civil War. On his first day of school , frail eight - year - old Moncho ( Manuel Lozano ) is so terrified by the imposing figure of his teacher Don Gregorio ( Fernando Fernan Gomez ) that he flees into the nearby woods. In spite of his authoritarian appearance , the schoolmaster proves to be a kind , free - thinking Republican who teaches Moncho the virtues of being good. The boy is soon spending much of his time with the elderly Gregorio in the Galician countryside , admiring such wonders of nature as the tongue of a butterfly. Other people in young Moncho's world include his down - to - earth mother ( Uxia Blanco ), his Republican father , and his older brother , who plays the saxophone with a group of local musicians. However , when the Fascists roll into town , the boy's life changes forever. La Lengua de las Mariposas was screened at the 1999 San Sebastian Film Festival .

A boy goes on a vacation with his father and ends up taking the ride of his life in the comedy Manolito Gafotas. Manolito (David Sanchez del Rey) is a cheerful but accident-prone child who doesn't see his father very often. Dad is a truck driver usually out on a long haul leaving Manolito at home with his mother (Adriana Ozores) grandfather (Antonio Gamero) and little brother. Hoping to make up for the time they spend apart Dad offers to take Manolito along on his next trip and show him the ocean. Manolito eagerly agrees but gets his father in trouble when he mentions to Mom via telephone that Dad was chatting up a waitress at a roadside diner. After their meal Manolito hops on board a truck and heads out down the road -- but he doesn't realize he's in the wrong truck until it's too late. Manolito Gafotas was adapted from a comic strip popular in Spain.

A boy goes on a vacation with his father and ends up taking the ride of his life in the comedy Manolito Gafotas . Manolito ( David Sanchez del Rey ) is a cheerful but accident - prone child who doesn't see his father very often. Dad is a truck driver usually out on a long haul , leaving Manolito at home with his mother ( Adriana Ozores ), grandfather ( Antonio Gamero ), and little brother. Hoping to make up for the time they spend apart , Dad offers to take Manolito along on his next trip and show him the ocean. Manolito eagerly agrees , but gets his father in trouble when he mentions to Mom via telephone that Dad was chatting up a waitress at a roadside diner. After their meal , Manolito hops on board a truck and heads out down the road -- but he doesn't realize he's in the wrong truck until it's too late. Manolito Gafotas was adapted from a comic strip popular in Spain.

Rodrigo de Arista (Fernando Fernan-Gomez) is an elderly Spanish gentleman who went to the United States in hopes of cashing in on the gold rush but returned to Northern Spain with very little to show for his efforts. He discovers upon his arrival that his son has died leaving behind a wife Lucrecia (Cayetana Guillen-Cuervo) and two daughters. However a note from his late son informs Rodrigo that he fathered one of the children but the other is a bastard that his wife conceived in an adulterous relationship with a French painter. Rodrigo is determined to find out which of the two children is his real granddaughter; his relationship with Lucrecia which was never cordial is now strained even further when she realizes that Rodrigo knows her secret and could destroy her reputation in the small town that she calls home. Rodrigo is aided in his search for the truth by Pio Coronado (Rafael Alonso) an old friend who also tutors the two children. El Abuelo received an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film in 1999; it was also nominated for 13 Goya Awards Spain's leading prize for excellence in filmmaking with Fernando Fernan-Gomez taking home the trophy for Best Actor.

Rodrigo de Arista ( Fernando Fernan - Gomez ) is an elderly Spanish gentleman who went to the United States in hopes of cashing in on the gold rush , but returned to Northern Spain with very little to show for his efforts. He discovers upon his arrival that his son has died , leaving behind a wife , Lucrecia ( Cayetana Guillen - Cuervo ) and two daughters. However , a note from his late son informs Rodrigo that he fathered one of the children , but the other is a bastard that his wife conceived in an adulterous relationship with a French painter. Rodrigo is determined to find out which of the two children is his real granddaughter ; his relationship with Lucrecia , which was never cordial , is now strained even further when she realizes that Rodrigo knows her secret and could destroy her reputation in the small town that she calls home. Rodrigo is aided in his search for the truth by Pio Coronado ( Rafael Alonso ), an old friend who also tutors the two children. El Abuelo received an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film in 1999 ; it was also nominated for 13 Goya Awards , Spain's leading prize for excellence in filmmaking , with Fernando Fernan - Gomez taking home the trophy for Best Actor.

The debut feature from Spanish wunderkind Alejandro Amenábar (Open Your Eyes The Others) Tesis is a thriller starring Ana Torrent as Ángela Márquez a film student who while researching for a thesis paper on violence in cinema stumbles upon a snuff film featuring the murder of a former student at the university. Enlisting the help of classmate and violent-movie buff Chema (Fele Martínez) Angela begins an investigation into the crime that leads them to several suspects. One of them is Bosco (Eduardo Noriega) a handsome classmate to whom Angela finds herself attracted much to the chagrin of Cheme. Tesis was the recipient of seven awards at the 1997 Goya Awards including Best Film.

The debut feature from Spanish wunderkind Alejandro Amenábar ( Open Your Eyes , The Others ), Tesis is a thriller starring Ana Torrent as Ángela Márquez , a film student who , while researching for a thesis paper on violence in cinema , stumbles upon a snuff film featuring the murder of a former student at the university. Enlisting the help of classmate and violent - movie buff Chema ( Fele Martínez ), Angela begins an investigation into the crime that leads them to several suspects. One of them is Bosco ( Eduardo Noriega ), a handsome classmate to whom Angela finds herself attracted , much to the chagrin of Cheme. Tesis was the recipient of seven awards at the 1997 Goya Awards including Best Film.

Spanish filmmaker Alex de la Iglesia followed his outlandish sci-fi/horror debut Accion Mutante with this colorful apocalypse fantasy about Father Angel (Alex Angulo) a scholarly priest whose intensive research into cabalistic "Bible Code" prophecies leads to a horrific discovery: the exact birthdate of the Antichrist. Convinced that Satan's spawn will be born somewhere in Madrid on Christmas Day Father Angel embarks on a bizarre journey down the path of sin committing the foulest possible acts against God and humanity in order to worm his way into the Devil's inner circle and face the ultimate foe on his own turf. Comprised of equal parts high-concept horror and scathing social satire (in the mode of the director's peer and former collaborator Pedro Almodovar) this ambitious horror film has garnered a sizable cult following.

Spanish filmmaker Alex de la Iglesia followed his outlandish sci - fi / horror debut , Accion Mutante , with this colorful apocalypse fantasy about Father Angel ( Alex Angulo ), a scholarly priest whose intensive research into cabalistic "Bible Code" prophecies leads to a horrific discovery : the exact birthdate of the Antichrist. Convinced that Satan's spawn will be born somewhere in Madrid on Christmas Day , Father Angel embarks on a bizarre journey down the path of sin , committing the foulest possible acts against God and humanity in order to worm his way into the Devil's inner circle and face the ultimate foe on his own turf. Comprised of equal parts high - concept horror and scathing social satire ( in the mode of the director's peer and former collaborator Pedro Almodovar ), this ambitious horror film has garnered a sizable cult following.

"I'll never love you . . . ever!" the sexy and attractive Marina (Victoria Abril) states emphatically to the love-struck Ricky (Antonio Banderas). You know she means what she says because when she makes this statement she is handcuffed and lashed to a bed not exactly the proper way to warm anyone up for romance. Yet in Pedro Almodovar's Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! the way to a woman's heart is depicted as being held in captivity until the Stockholm Syndrome kicks in. The film concerns the plight of Marina a "B"-movie diva trying to adjust to her recent success after years of porno films and drug addiction. But then into her life comes Ricky a part-time handyman and full-time mental patient who during one of his past escapes from the mental ward had spent the night with Marina -- who gave in to him during one of her less-discerning moments. Since then Ricky has been thinking of her constantly. Determined to win her affections he kidnaps Marina holding her captive in her own apartment and trying everything to convince her to love him -- then they could marry and have a big family. All Ricky's attempts to woo Marina fail. Finally after taking a severe beating from some street thugs he strikes a chord in Marina's nurturing heart so that when her sister Lola (Loles Leon) finally discovers her plight Marina no longer wants to be rescued.

"I'll never love you . . . ever!" the sexy and attractive Marina ( Victoria Abril ) states emphatically to the love - struck Ricky ( Antonio Banderas ) . You know she means what she says because when she makes this statement she is handcuffed and lashed to a bed , not exactly the proper way to warm anyone up for romance. Yet in Pedro Almodovar 's Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! the way to a woman's heart is depicted as being held in captivity until the Stockholm Syndrome kicks in. The film concerns the plight of Marina , a "B" - movie diva trying to adjust to her recent success after years of porno films and drug addiction. But then into her life comes Ricky , a part - time handyman and full - time mental patient , who , during one of his past escapes from the mental ward , had spent the night with Marina -- who gave in to him during one of her less - discerning moments. Since then , Ricky has been thinking of her constantly. Determined to win her affections , he kidnaps Marina , holding her captive in her own apartment and trying everything to convince her to love him -- then they could marry and have a big family. All Ricky's attempts to woo Marina fail. Finally , after taking a severe beating from some street thugs , he strikes a chord in Marina's nurturing heart so that when her sister Lola ( Loles Leon ) finally discovers her plight , Marina no longer wants to be rescued.

The complex relationship between a thirteen-year-old girl (Ana Torrent) and an old man living in lonely but wealthy splendor is the focus of this drama. Alejandro (Hector Alterio) spends his time playing chess on a computer riding his horses or enjoying classical music. His life starts to change under the influence of young Goyita (Torrent) who slowly becomes a friend and then begins to impose on him in not-so-subtle ways. First she wants him to burn his dead wife's clothing and before long she intends to involve him in a plot of revenge against a Civil Guard. Torrent received a 1980 Best Actress award at the Montreal Film Festival for her performance.

The complex relationship between a thirteen - year - old girl ( Ana Torrent ) and an old man living in lonely but wealthy splendor is the focus of this drama. Alejandro ( Hector Alterio ) spends his time playing chess on a computer , riding his horses , or enjoying classical music. His life starts to change under the influence of young Goyita ( Torrent ) who slowly becomes a friend and then begins to impose on him in not - so - subtle ways. First she wants him to burn his dead wife's clothing , and before long she intends to involve him in a plot of revenge against a Civil Guard. Torrent received a 1980 Best Actress award at the Montreal Film Festival for her performance.

For the Spanish Mama Turns a Hundred director Carlos Saura reassembles many of his cast members from his 1972 Anna and the Wolves. As Mama reaches the century mark her wolf-pack relatives go fang and claw after currying her favor in hopes of a large legacy. The film is set during the Franco regime permitting Saura to use his greedy family as a microcosm of all that had gone bad in Spain since the Civil War. Though potentially grim Mama Turns a Hundred is essentially a comedy though many of the laughs are of the "shock of recognition" variety especially for those who've come from a similarly avaricious family. The film was originally released as Mama Cumple Cien Anos.

For the Spanish Mama Turns a Hundred , director Carlos Saura reassembles many of his cast members from his 1972 Anna and the Wolves . As Mama reaches the century mark , her wolf - pack relatives go fang and claw after currying her favor in hopes of a large legacy. The film is set during the Franco regime , permitting Saura to use his greedy family as a microcosm of all that had gone bad in Spain since the Civil War. Though potentially grim , Mama Turns a Hundred is essentially a comedy , though many of the laughs are of the "shock of recognition" variety , especially for those who've come from a similarly avaricious family. The film was originally released as Mama Cumple Cien Anos .

Written and directed by Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almódovar Tacones Lejanos is a murder mystery centering on flamboyant actress Becky del Paramo (Marisa Paredes) and her daughter Rebecca (Victoria Abril) a television anchorwoman. After being estranged for 15 years Becky re-enters Rebecca's life when she comes to perform a concert. Rebecca she finds is now married to one of Becky's ex-lovers Manuel (Feodor Atkine). As the mother and daughter begin making up for lost time Manuel is suddenly murdered at his home. Unfortunately which of the ladies is responsible for the homicide remains unclear even after one of them confesses. Released in the U.S. under the title High Heels Tacones Lejanos was nominated for several Goya Awards as well as the Best Foreign Language Film at the 1992 Golden Globes.

Written and directed by Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almódovar , Tacones Lejanos is a murder mystery centering on flamboyant actress Becky del Paramo ( Marisa Paredes ) and her daughter Rebecca ( Victoria Abril ), a television anchorwoman. After being estranged for 15 years , Becky re - enters Rebecca's life when she comes to perform a concert. Rebecca , she finds , is now married to one of Becky's ex - lovers , Manuel ( Feodor Atkine ) . As the mother and daughter begin making up for lost time , Manuel is suddenly murdered at his home. Unfortunately , which of the ladies is responsible for the homicide remains unclear , even after one of them confesses. Released in the U.S. under the title High Heels , Tacones Lejanos was nominated for several Goya Awards as well as the Best Foreign Language Film at the 1992 Golden Globes.

Jose Luis Lopez Vasquez stars as a millionaire industrialist who is involved in an auto accident. When he comes to Vasquez has completely forgotten who he is and how much money he has. His greedy relatives would love to put Vasquez away and claim his fortune. But there's a fly in the ointment: the money is in a secret Swiss bank account and the only one who knows (or who knew) the account number is the amnesiac Vasquez. Those familiar with the work of Spanish director Carlos Saura know for darn sure that he's not about to go the expected route with this surefire material: Garden of Delights is just that a bountiful garden of the surreal the symbolic the illusory and at times the hilarious.

Jose Luis Lopez Vasquez stars as a millionaire industrialist who is involved in an auto accident. When he comes to , Vasquez has completely forgotten who he is and how much money he has. His greedy relatives would love to put Vasquez away and claim his fortune. But there's a fly in the ointment : the money is in a secret Swiss bank account , and the only one who knows ( or who knew ) the account number is the amnesiac Vasquez . Those familiar with the work of Spanish director Carlos Saura know for darn sure that he's not about to go the expected route with this surefire material : Garden of Delights , is just that , a bountiful garden of the surreal , the symbolic , the illusory , and at times the hilarious.

In 1959 Sweden young Ingemar (Anton Glanzelius) lives with his dying mother and his nasty older brother. He survives all of life's knocks by comparing himself to those who are worse off--such as Laika the little Russian space dog who was rocketed to his death and had nothing to say in the matter. Ingemar begins to identify with Laika more and more as his mother's health deteriorates at times dropping to all fours and baying at the moon. When his mother is advised to get some peace and quiet away from her children Ingemar is sent to live with his loveable uncle and aunt. For the first time the boy is surrounded by relatives and classmates who pose no threat and who genuinely like him. He even has a sexual awakening. When his mother dies he no longer rationalizes his misfortunes by comparing himself to those less fortunate; from now on he can conjure up pleasant memories of his summer away from home to sustain him through the hard times. My Life as a Dog (Mitt Liv Som Hund) is based on the autobiographical novel by Reidar Jonsson.

In 1959 Sweden , young Ingemar ( Anton Glanzelius ) lives with his dying mother and his nasty older brother. He survives all of life's knocks by comparing himself to those who are worse off -- such as Laika , the little Russian space dog who was rocketed to his death and had nothing to say in the matter. Ingemar begins to identify with Laika more and more as his mother's health deteriorates , at times dropping to all fours and baying at the moon. When his mother is advised to get some peace and quiet away from her children , Ingemar is sent to live with his loveable uncle and aunt. For the first time , the boy is surrounded by relatives and classmates who pose no threat and who genuinely like him. He even has a sexual awakening. When his mother dies , he no longer rationalizes his misfortunes by comparing himself to those less fortunate ; from now on , he can conjure up pleasant memories of his summer away from home to sustain him through the hard times. My Life as a Dog ( Mitt Liv Som Hund ) is based on the autobiographical novel by Reidar Jonsson .

Shame is grand master Ingmar Bergman's bitter and unsparing condemnation of war - all war regardless of which side one chooses. The story begins with two ex-musicians Eva and Jan Rosenberg (Liv Ullmann and Max von Sydow respectively) peacefully inhabiting a weathered house where they grow fruits and vegetables. The residence is located on a desolate arid island in some unspecified geographic location. Many items in The Rosenbergs' house such as the radio aren't functioning properly and an explosive conflict transpires in the distance. (To avoid being ideologically pigeonholed Bergman avoids identifying either side of the struggle or the reasons for the conflict itself). The Rosenbergs remain aloof detached and geographically removed from the struggle but little by little over time various elements of the war seep into the couples' lives and force their involvement. The tumult first sets in when jet planes roar over the house; then a parachutist gets killed and soldiers turn up at the Rosenberg residence. Finally Eva and Jan get forcibly interrogated and incarcerated. Following the complete obliteration of the Rosenberg house Eva has sex with one of the military leaders Colonel Jacobi (Gunnar Bjornstrand) for unspecified reasons. Although Bergman never explicitly makes it clear if Jan witnesses this he does deliberately conceal money that he could have easily used to buy Jacobi's freedom from the other side. As the heart-wrenching tale rolls forward circumstances force The Rosenbergs into a face-to-face confrontation with their own identities and emotions.

Shame is grand master Ingmar Bergman 's bitter and unsparing condemnation of war - all war , regardless of which side one chooses. The story begins with two ex - musicians , Eva and Jan Rosenberg ( Liv Ullmann and Max von Sydow , respectively ) peacefully inhabiting a weathered house where they grow fruits and vegetables. The residence is located on a desolate , arid island in some unspecified geographic location. Many items in The Rosenbergs' house , such as the radio , aren't functioning properly , and an explosive conflict transpires in the distance. ( To avoid being ideologically pigeonholed , Bergman avoids identifying either side of the struggle or the reasons for the conflict itself ) . The Rosenbergs remain aloof , detached and geographically removed from the struggle , but little by little , over time , various elements of the war seep into the couples' lives and force their involvement. The tumult first sets in when jet planes roar over the house ; then a parachutist gets killed and soldiers turn up at the Rosenberg residence. Finally , Eva and Jan get forcibly interrogated and incarcerated. Following the complete obliteration of the Rosenberg house , Eva has sex with one of the military leaders , Colonel Jacobi ( Gunnar Bjornstrand ) for unspecified reasons. Although Bergman never explicitly makes it clear if Jan witnesses this , he does deliberately conceal money that he could have easily used to buy Jacobi's freedom from the other side. As the heart - wrenching tale rolls forward , circumstances force The Rosenbergs into a face - to - face confrontation with their own identities and emotions.

The Sacrifice director Andrei Tarkovsky's final film begins in Bergmanesque fashion on a small remote island where friends and family gather for drama critic Alexander's (Erland Josephson) birthday celebration. The revelry is interrupted by a radio announcement: World War III has begun and Mankind is only hours away from utter annihilation. Each of the guests reacts differently to the news: the most dramatic response is Alexander's who promises God that he'll give up everything he holds dear--including his beloved 6-year-old son -- if war is averted. Allan Edwall a local mailman with purported mystical powers offers to intervene with the Creator on Josephson's behalf. The Sacrifice is so dependent upon its visuals and overall mood that any attempt at a detailed synopsis would be woefully inadequate. The willingness of Tarkovsky's protagonist to forego all his possessions may well have sprung from the cancer-ridden director's awareness that he too would soon be giving up everything to face his Maker. The Sacrifice won four awards at the Cannes Film Festival including the Grand Prix.

The Sacrifice , director Andrei Tarkovsky 's final film , begins in Bergmanesque fashion on a small , remote island , where friends and family gather for drama critic Alexander's ( Erland Josephson ) birthday celebration. The revelry is interrupted by a radio announcement : World War III has begun , and Mankind is only hours away from utter annihilation. Each of the guests reacts differently to the news : the most dramatic response is Alexander's , who promises God that he'll give up everything he holds dear -- including his beloved 6 - year - old son -- if war is averted. Allan Edwall , a local mailman with purported mystical powers , offers to intervene with the Creator on Josephson 's behalf. The Sacrifice is so dependent upon its visuals and overall mood that any attempt at a detailed synopsis would be woefully inadequate. The willingness of Tarkovsky 's protagonist to forego all his possessions may well have sprung from the cancer - ridden director's awareness that he , too , would soon be giving up everything to face his Maker. The Sacrifice won four awards at the Cannes Film Festival , including the Grand Prix.

Liv Ullmann plays Dr. Jenny Isakson a psychiatrist who is taking a vacation while her husband Dr. Erik Isakson (Sven Lindberg) is elsewhere. Haunted by visions of an old woman Jenny suffers from profound inexplicable depression. Desperately in search of a escape from her doldrums she has an affair with married doctor Tomas Jacobi (Erland Josephson). This only serves to spark an attack of hysteria for Jenny. Again visited by hallucinations of the old woman she attempts suicide. While hovering between life and death she imagines she sees all the people who've been influential in her life and rails against them for causing her neuroses. Only while recovering does she learn who the spectral old woman is and why she is undergoing so harrowing an emotional experience. Like his later Scenes From a Marriage Bergman's Face to Face (Ansikte mot ansikte) originated as a multipart TV series which was then pared down into a two-hour-plus feature film.

Liv Ullmann plays Dr. Jenny Isakson , a psychiatrist who is taking a vacation while her husband Dr. Erik Isakson ( Sven Lindberg ) is elsewhere. Haunted by visions of an old woman , Jenny suffers from profound , inexplicable depression. Desperately in search of a escape from her doldrums , she has an affair with married doctor Tomas Jacobi ( Erland Josephson ) . This only serves to spark an attack of hysteria for Jenny. Again visited by hallucinations of the old woman , she attempts suicide. While hovering between life and death , she imagines she sees all the people who've been influential in her life , and rails against them for causing her neuroses. Only while recovering does she learn who the spectral old woman is and why she is undergoing so harrowing an emotional experience. Like his later Scenes From a Marriage , Bergman 's Face to Face ( Ansikte mot ansikte ) originated as a multipart TV series , which was then pared down into a two - hour - plus feature film.

Roland (Jesper Salen) is a boy growing up in Stockholm. It is the middle of the 1920s and he suffers from the twin handicaps of being Jewish and the son of a socialist. However despite the taunts and bullying he endures he gets in a few licks of his own and manages to have some fun (and get some revenge on his tormentors). One particularly successful ploy of his is to take some of the illegal condoms his mother is selling in her tobacco store and use them to power some slingshots he has made sellling them to neighborhood boys. This affectionate richly detailed portrait of a man's early adolescence in pre-war Stockholm is based on an autobiographical novel by Roland Schutt)

Roland ( Jesper Salen ) is a boy growing up in Stockholm. It is the middle of the 1920s , and he suffers from the twin handicaps of being Jewish and the son of a socialist. However , despite the taunts and bullying he endures , he gets in a few licks of his own , and manages to have some fun ( and get some revenge on his tormentors ) . One particularly successful ploy of his is to take some of the illegal condoms his mother is selling in her tobacco store and use them to power some slingshots he has made , sellling them to neighborhood boys. This affectionate , richly detailed portrait of a man's early adolescence in pre - war Stockholm is based on an autobiographical novel by Roland Schutt )

A young man growing up at a difficult time enters into a relationship that only makes his life more complicated in this acclaimed coming-of-age drama. Stig (Johan Widerberg) is a 15-year-old boy growing up in Malmo Sweden in 1942. While WWII rages in Europe Sweden remains politically neutral though it's all but impossible for the people of Malmo not to have an opinion about the conflict and Stig's own brother intends to volunteer to serve on a submarine. Stig has fallen in love with his schoolteacher Viola (Marika Lagercrantz) who is 22 years his senior. To his great surprise Viola confesses that she's also attracted to Stig; she's stuck in a failing marriage to Kjell (Tomas von Bromssen) a depressive alcoholic salesman and there's something in Stig's naive desire that touches her. The two become involved in a passionate love affair which Viola makes little effort to disguise from Kjell; in fact Kjell becomes friendly with Stig and tries to teach him about his great passion in life classical music. Eventually Stig becomes attracted to Lisbet (Karin Huldt) a girl from school his own age and when they become involved Stig breaks off his affair with Viola. Viola is not eager to give up Stig and in time she retaliates with violence. Lust Och Fagring Stor was the final film from noted Swedish director Bo Widerberg; he died two years after its release -- at the age of 56. Jonah Widerberg who played Stig is Bo's son and was 21 at the time the film was released.

A young man growing up at a difficult time enters into a relationship that only makes his life more complicated in this acclaimed coming - of - age drama. Stig ( Johan Widerberg ) is a 15 - year - old boy growing up in Malmo , Sweden , in 1942. While WWII rages in Europe , Sweden remains politically neutral , though it's all but impossible for the people of Malmo not to have an opinion about the conflict , and Stig's own brother intends to volunteer to serve on a submarine. Stig has fallen in love with his schoolteacher Viola ( Marika Lagercrantz ), who is 22 years his senior. To his great surprise , Viola confesses that she's also attracted to Stig ; she's stuck in a failing marriage to Kjell ( Tomas von Bromssen ), a depressive alcoholic salesman , and there's something in Stig's naive desire that touches her. The two become involved in a passionate love affair , which Viola makes little effort to disguise from Kjell ; in fact , Kjell becomes friendly with Stig and tries to teach him about his great passion in life , classical music. Eventually , Stig becomes attracted to Lisbet ( Karin Huldt ), a girl from school his own age , and when they become involved , Stig breaks off his affair with Viola. Viola is not eager to give up Stig , and in time , she retaliates with violence. Lust Och Fagring Stor was the final film from noted Swedish director Bo Widerberg ; he died two years after its release -- at the age of 56. Jonah Widerberg , who played Stig , is Bo's son , and was 21 at the time the film was released.

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Liv Ullmann plays the widowed crippled Anna Fromm who while traveling on a remote island calls upon reclusive ex-convict Andreas (Max von Sydow) in order to use his telephone. After Anna leaves Andreas discovers she's left her purse behind; he opens it hoping to find some identification. A letter in the purse details Anna's unhappy marriage and the depths of her loneliness. Eventually Anna moves in with Andreas who has become more closely acquainted with her through the intervention of Anna's friends Ellis and Evan Vergerus (Bibi Andersson and Erland Josephson). But tensions and conflicts ensue and threaten to destroy the burgeoning relationship between Anna and Andreas.

Liv Ullmann plays the widowed , crippled Anna Fromm , who while traveling on a remote island calls upon reclusive ex - convict Andreas ( Max von Sydow ) in order to use his telephone. After Anna leaves , Andreas discovers she's left her purse behind ; he opens it , hoping to find some identification. A letter in the purse details Anna's unhappy marriage and the depths of her loneliness. Eventually , Anna moves in with Andreas , who has become more closely acquainted with her through the intervention of Anna's friends Ellis and Evan Vergerus ( Bibi Andersson and Erland Josephson ) . But tensions and conflicts ensue , and threaten to destroy the burgeoning relationship between Anna and Andreas.

ased on an Astrid Lindgren novel this fantasy focuses on a Swedish teen drawn into a magical world to battle an evil knight.

Based on an Astrid Lindgren novel , this fantasy focuses on a Swedish teen drawn into a magical world to battle an evil knight.

Xavier Koller's fact-based drama chronicles the hardships suffered by a family of Turkish farmers who sell all of their worldly possessions in order to fund an escape to the greener pastures of Switzerland. En route they fall prey to a group of smugglers who direct them to access Switzerland via an illegal and dangerous mountain pass.

Xavier Koller 's fact - based drama chronicles the hardships suffered by a family of Turkish farmers who sell all of their worldly possessions in order to fund an escape to the greener pastures of Switzerland. En route , they fall prey to a group of smugglers , who direct them to access Switzerland via an illegal and dangerous mountain pass.

Michel Piccoli plays Akiva Liebskind a Russian chess genius in the Swiss-filmed Dangerous Moves. He is pitted against Soviet exile Pavius Fromm (Alexandre Arbatt) who since childhood has dreamed of nothing but defeating Liebskind. Both men soon become obsessed with winning. Already suffering from a weak heart Liebskind courts a coronary while the increasingly paranoid Fromm is convinced that his opponent is spying on him from every corner. The KGB enters into the game by attempting to sabotage Fromm hoping that by doing so they will discredit everyone who's ever publicly opposed the Soviet government. Dangerous Moves was the 1984 recipient of the Best Foreign-Language Picture Academy Award.

Michel Piccoli plays Akiva Liebskind , a Russian chess genius in the Swiss - filmed Dangerous Moves . He is pitted against Soviet exile Pavius Fromm ( Alexandre Arbatt ), who , since childhood , has dreamed of nothing but defeating Liebskind. Both men soon become obsessed with winning. Already suffering from a weak heart , Liebskind courts a coronary , while the increasingly paranoid Fromm is convinced that his opponent is spying on him from every corner. The KGB enters into the game by attempting to sabotage Fromm , hoping that by doing so they will discredit everyone who's ever publicly opposed the Soviet government. Dangerous Moves was the 1984 recipient of the Best Foreign - Language Picture Academy Award.

An affectionate reverie about war childhood and British stoicism John Boorman's Hope and Glory is the veteran filmmaker's recollection of the bombing of London during World War II. Set on the British home front during the early days of the war this episodic movie shows the blitz through the eyes of seven-year-old Billy Rohan (Sebastian Rice-Edwards). At the war's outset Billy finds himself alone in a house full of women as all the men are called off to join the war effort. With wide-eyed wonder and an outsized imagination Billy sees the war as a grand diversion an extension of his world of knights tin soldiers and war games. As bombs fall and houses burn Billy's mother (Sarah Miles) struggles to keep the family together in her husband's absence. Even as Billy seeks to escape the harem of aunts and sisters Dawn (Sammi Davis) his older sister falls for a Canadian soldier who gets her pregnant. After the Rohans' home catches fire (not ironically as the result of a bomb blast but from a domestic accident) the family is forced to move in with Billy's cantankerous grandfather in the countryside where they spend the rest of their summer and enjoy an unusual idyll amid the raging war. Nominated in 1987 for a Best Picture Academy Award Hope and Glory proved to be another high point in the career of the remarkably protean Boorman.

An affectionate reverie about war , childhood , and British stoicism , John Boorman 's Hope and Glory is the veteran filmmaker's recollection of the bombing of London during World War II. Set on the British home front during the early days of the war , this episodic movie shows the blitz through the eyes of seven - year - old Billy Rohan ( Sebastian Rice - Edwards ) . At the war's outset , Billy finds himself alone in a house full of women , as all the men are called off to join the war effort. With wide - eyed wonder and an outsized imagination , Billy sees the war as a grand diversion , an extension of his world of knights , tin soldiers , and war games. As bombs fall and houses burn , Billy's mother ( Sarah Miles ) struggles to keep the family together in her husband's absence. Even as Billy seeks to escape the harem of aunts and sisters , Dawn ( Sammi Davis ), his older sister , falls for a Canadian soldier , who gets her pregnant. After the Rohans' home catches fire ( not , ironically , as the result of a bomb blast , but from a domestic accident ), the family is forced to move in with Billy's cantankerous grandfather in the countryside , where they spend the rest of their summer and enjoy an unusual idyll amid the raging war. Nominated in 1987 for a Best Picture Academy Award , Hope and Glory proved to be another high point in the career of the remarkably protean Boorman .

Peter Greenaway's first fiction feature (after the mock-documentary The Falls) made him immediately famous and was named one of the most original films of the 1980s by British critics. The action is set in the director's beloved 17th century. Ambitious young artist Mr. Neville (Anthony Higgins) is invited by Mrs. Herbert (Janet Suzman) to make 12 elaborate sketches of her estate. Besides money the contract includes sexual favors that Mrs. Herbert will offer to the draughtsman in the absence of Mr. Herbert. Entirely confident in his ability to weave a web of intrigues Mr. Neville eventually becomes a victim of someone else's elaborate scheme. The film is structured as a sophisticated intellectual puzzle like the ones popular in the 17th century. There is a lot to pay attention to besides the intrigues -- fancy wigs conversations by candlelight English parks Purcell-inspired baroque music by Michael Nyman all to please the eyes soothe the ears and stimulate the mind.

Peter Greenaway 's first fiction feature ( after the mock - documentary The Falls ) made him immediately famous and was named one of the most original films of the 1980s by British critics. The action is set in the director's beloved 17th century. Ambitious young artist Mr. Neville ( Anthony Higgins ) is invited by Mrs. Herbert ( Janet Suzman ) to make 12 elaborate sketches of her estate. Besides money , the contract includes sexual favors that Mrs. Herbert will offer to the draughtsman in the absence of Mr. Herbert. Entirely confident in his ability to weave a web of intrigues , Mr. Neville eventually becomes a victim of someone else's elaborate scheme. The film is structured as a sophisticated intellectual puzzle like the ones popular in the 17th century. There is a lot to pay attention to besides the intrigues -- fancy wigs , conversations by candlelight , English parks , Purcell - inspired baroque music by Michael Nyman , all to please the eyes , soothe the ears , and stimulate the mind.

Noted for intimate character studies created in collaboration with his actors director Mike Leigh makes a dramatic change of pace with this biography of comic opera composers W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Gilbert (Jim Broadbent) is an easily angered but otherwise emotionally remote lyricist who works in collaboration with composer Sullivan (Alan Corduner) a genial and fun-loving sort who feels unsatisfied writing light operettas and longs to work with more serious material. While Sullivan is having a creative crisis Gilbert is facing a failing marriage to Lucy (Lesley Manville) who loves her husband even if he can't return her affections and must deal with his ailing father (Charles Simon). When they suffer their first failure both men are depressed and Sullivan announces that he's giving up operetta for good. However a visit to an exhibit of Japanese art sparks an idea in Gilbert and soon he and Sullivan are hard at work on what will become one of their greatest successes The Mikado. Much of the film is devoted to the staging of this classic with Shirley Henderson Dorothy Atkinson Martin Savage Timothy Spall and Kevin McKidd as members of the operetta's cast. Jim Broadbent won Best Actor at the 1999 Venice Film Festival.

Noted for intimate character studies created in collaboration with his actors , director Mike Leigh makes a dramatic change of pace with this biography of comic opera composers W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan . Gilbert ( Jim Broadbent ) is an easily angered but otherwise emotionally remote lyricist who works in collaboration with composer Sullivan ( Alan Corduner ), a genial and fun - loving sort who feels unsatisfied writing light operettas and longs to work with more serious material. While Sullivan is having a creative crisis , Gilbert is facing a failing marriage to Lucy ( Lesley Manville ), who loves her husband even if he can't return her affections , and must deal with his ailing father ( Charles Simon ) . When they suffer their first failure , both men are depressed , and Sullivan announces that he's giving up operetta for good. However , a visit to an exhibit of Japanese art sparks an idea in Gilbert , and soon he and Sullivan are hard at work on what will become one of their greatest successes , The Mikado . Much of the film is devoted to the staging of this classic , with Shirley Henderson , Dorothy Atkinson , Martin Savage , Timothy Spall , and Kevin McKidd as members of the operetta's cast. Jim Broadbent won Best Actor at the 1999 Venice Film Festival.

William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) is on a cold streak. Not only is he writing for Philip Henslowe (Geoffrey Rush) owner of "The Rose" a theatre whose doors are about to be closed by sadistic creditors but he's got a nasty case of writer's block. Shakespeare hasn't written a hit in years. In fact he hasn't written much of anything recently. Thus the Bard finds himself in quite a bind when Henslowe desperate to stave off another round of hot-coals-to-feet application stakes The Rose's solvency on Shakespeare's new comedy "Romeo and Ethel the Pirate's Daughter." The problem is "Romeo" is safely "locked away" in Shakespeare's head which is to say that not a word of it is written. Meanwhile the lovely Lady Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow) is an ardent theatre-goer -- scandalous for a woman of her breeding -- who especially admires Shakespeare's plays and not incidentally Bill himself. Alas she's about to be sold as property into a loveless marriage by her mercenary father and shipped off to a Virginia tobacco plantation. But not before dressing up as a young man and winning the part of Romeo in the embryonic play. Shakespeare soon discovers the deception and goes along with it using the blossoming love affair to ignite his muse. As William and Viola's romance grows in intensity and spirals towards its inevitable culmination so too does the farcical comedy about Romeo and pirates transform into the timeless tragedy that is Romeo and Juliet.

William Shakespeare ( Joseph Fiennes ) is on a cold streak. Not only is he writing for Philip Henslowe ( Geoffrey Rush ), owner of "The Rose , " a theatre whose doors are about to be closed by sadistic creditors , but he's got a nasty case of writer's block. Shakespeare hasn't written a hit in years. In fact , he hasn't written much of anything recently. Thus , the Bard finds himself in quite a bind when Henslowe , desperate to stave off another round of hot - coals - to - feet application , stakes The Rose's solvency on Shakespeare's new comedy , "Romeo and Ethel , the Pirate's Daughter." The problem is , "Romeo" is safely "locked away" in Shakespeare's head , which is to say that not a word of it is written. Meanwhile , the lovely Lady Viola ( Gwyneth Paltrow ) is an ardent theatre - goer -- scandalous for a woman of her breeding -- who especially admires Shakespeare's plays and , not incidentally , Bill himself. Alas , she's about to be sold as property into a loveless marriage by her mercenary father and shipped off to a Virginia tobacco plantation. But not before dressing up as a young man and winning the part of Romeo in the embryonic play. Shakespeare soon discovers the deception and goes along with it , using the blossoming love affair to ignite his muse. As William and Viola's romance grows in intensity and spirals towards its inevitable culmination , so , too , does the farcical comedy about Romeo and pirates transform into the timeless tragedy that is Romeo and Juliet .

A family is forced to confront the personal issues they've been avoiding for years in this powerful realistic drama. Cynthia (Brenda Blethyn) is a working-class British woman whose life has been a long series of painful disappointments. She's single with no romantic prospects and a dead-end job at a box factory. Her daughter Roxanne (Claire Rushbrook) works as a street sweeper and is chronically bitter. Cynthia helped raise her brother Maurice (Timothy Spall) who is doing well as a photographer but she rarely sees him and usually blames his wife Monica (Phyllis Logan). One day Cynthia receives a phone call from a woman named Hortense (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) who claims to be the daughter Cynthia put up for adoption years ago. Cynthia initially reacts with panic but she agrees to meet Hortense and is surprised to discover that she's a successful and soft-spoken eye doctor -- and that she's black. Cynthia is soon convinced that Hortense is just who she claims to be and they quickly form a friendship that gives Cynthia a new source of emotional strength. However when Cynthia decides to introduce the family to her new "friend" it forces them to confront the lies and evasions that have kept them apart all these years. Largely improvised by director Mike Leigh and his cast Secrets & Lies features standout work by Brenda Blethyn (who earned an Academy Award nomination as Best Actress) Marianne Jean-Baptiste (who was nominated as Best Supporting Actress) and Timothy Spall.

A family is forced to confront the personal issues they've been avoiding for years in this powerful , realistic drama. Cynthia ( Brenda Blethyn ) is a working - class British woman whose life has been a long series of painful disappointments. She's single with no romantic prospects and a dead - end job at a box factory. Her daughter Roxanne ( Claire Rushbrook ) works as a street sweeper and is chronically bitter. Cynthia helped raise her brother , Maurice ( Timothy Spall ), who is doing well as a photographer , but she rarely sees him and usually blames his wife , Monica ( Phyllis Logan ) . One day , Cynthia receives a phone call from a woman named Hortense ( Marianne Jean - Baptiste ), who claims to be the daughter Cynthia put up for adoption years ago. Cynthia initially reacts with panic , but she agrees to meet Hortense and is surprised to discover that she's a successful and soft - spoken eye doctor -- and that she's black. Cynthia is soon convinced that Hortense is just who she claims to be , and they quickly form a friendship that gives Cynthia a new source of emotional strength. However , when Cynthia decides to introduce the family to her new "friend , " it forces them to confront the lies and evasions that have kept them apart all these years. Largely improvised by director Mike Leigh and his cast , Secrets & Lies features standout work by Brenda Blethyn ( who earned an Academy Award nomination as Best Actress ), Marianne Jean - Baptiste ( who was nominated as Best Supporting Actress ), and Timothy Spall .

This ground-breaking British documentary offers the most complete biographical account ever compiled of the young Jewish girl whose simple diary entries and observations brought the grim realities of the Holocaust to millions of readers the world over. It not only includes interviews from survivors who knew her it also looks into never before seen family letters new photographs and even archival footage. This is all combined with historically accurate recreations of the attic where the refugee Frank family spent two years hiding from the Nazis. Together it all provides a fascinating look into Anna's daily life. At the end the filmmakers then examine Otto Frank's efforts to preserve his daughter's memory and to keep alive her message of peace.

This ground - breaking British documentary offers the most complete biographical account ever compiled of the young Jewish girl whose simple diary entries and observations brought the grim realities of the Holocaust to millions of readers the world over. It not only includes interviews from survivors who knew her , it also looks into never before seen family letters , new photographs and even archival footage. This is all combined with historically accurate recreations of the attic where the refugee Frank family spent two years hiding from the Nazis. Together it all provides a fascinating look into Anna's daily life. At the end , the filmmakers then examine Otto Frank's efforts to preserve his daughter's memory and to keep alive her message of peace.

An institutionalized schizophrenic with a Messiah complex inherits the position of an English Earl in this cutting satire of British society based on a play by Peter Barnes. The film's irreverent tone is established with the disturbingly hilarious death of the thirteenth Earl of Gurney during a bizarre attempt at auto-erotic asphyxiation. To the dismay of the earl's family the title passes to his son Jack (Peter O'Toole) who has been locked away for eight years after claiming to be the second coming of Jesus Christ. Mad but harmless Jack is released to assume his seat. However his embrace of Christianity proves incompatible with a position of power in "normal" society where peace and love are considered serious weaknesses and a somewhat unhinged psychiatrist is called to help him adjust. Meanwhile Jack's scheming uncle Sir Charles (William Mervyn) works on developing a complex scheme to trick Jack out of his position. Loaded with idiosyncratic touches from eccentric camera angles to unexpected outbursts of song the film creates an experience nearly as inspired and mad as O'Toole's brilliantly hilarious central performance. The film's devilish invention may at times seem overloaded but most drawbacks are redeemed by the sharpness of the satire particularly during the memorably disturbing finale.

An institutionalized schizophrenic with a Messiah complex inherits the position of an English Earl in this cutting satire of British society , based on a play by Peter Barnes . The film's irreverent tone is established with the disturbingly hilarious death of the thirteenth Earl of Gurney during a bizarre attempt at auto - erotic asphyxiation. To the dismay of the earl's family , the title passes to his son Jack ( Peter O'Toole ), who has been locked away for eight years after claiming to be the second coming of Jesus Christ. Mad but harmless , Jack is released to assume his seat. However , his embrace of Christianity proves incompatible with a position of power in "normal" society , where peace and love are considered serious weaknesses , and a somewhat unhinged psychiatrist is called to help him adjust. Meanwhile , Jack's scheming uncle , Sir Charles ( William Mervyn ), works on developing a complex scheme to trick Jack out of his position. Loaded with idiosyncratic touches from eccentric camera angles to unexpected outbursts of song , the film creates an experience nearly as inspired and mad as O'Toole's brilliantly hilarious central performance. The film's devilish invention may at times seem overloaded , but most drawbacks are redeemed by the sharpness of the satire , particularly during the memorably disturbing finale.

Adapted by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala from the novel by E.M. Forster A Room with a View is a shining example of Merchant-Ivory's ability to achieve maximum quality and opulence at minimum cost. Set during the Edwardian Era the film stars Helena Bonham Carter as Lucy Honeychurch who like all proper young British ladies is compelled to tour Europe in the company of an older chaperone -- in this instance her spinster cousin Charlotte Bartlett (Maggie Smith). While in Italy the ladies make the acquaintance of a wide variety of personalities; the most fascinating of their fellow tourists -- at least in Lucy's eyes -- is free-spirited George Emerson (Julian Sands). Aware that her cousin is becoming too familiar with Emerson Charlotte demands that Lucy return to England posthaste. Lucy complacently settles for the tiresomely traditional courtship of nerdish Cecil Vyse (Daniel Day-Lewis) -- and then Mr. Emerson moves into the neighborhood. Lucy now finds herself on the horns of a dilemma: Should she opt for a safe proper marriage to Cecil or the bohemian unpredictability of the charismatic Emerson? A winner of three Academy Awards A Room with a View is not what one could call fast-moving but fans of the Merchant-Ivory team will enjoy luxuriating in the film's leisurely pace and stimulating cast of characters.

Adapted by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala from the novel by E.M. Forster , A Room with a View is a shining example of Merchant - Ivory's ability to achieve maximum quality and opulence at minimum cost. Set during the Edwardian Era , the film stars Helena Bonham Carter as Lucy Honeychurch , who like all proper young British ladies is compelled to tour Europe in the company of an older chaperone -- in this instance , her spinster cousin Charlotte Bartlett ( Maggie Smith ) . While in Italy , the ladies make the acquaintance of a wide variety of personalities ; the most fascinating of their fellow tourists -- at least in Lucy's eyes -- is free - spirited George Emerson ( Julian Sands ) . Aware that her cousin is becoming too familiar with Emerson , Charlotte demands that Lucy return to England posthaste. Lucy complacently settles for the tiresomely traditional courtship of nerdish Cecil Vyse ( Daniel Day - Lewis ) -- and then Mr. Emerson moves into the neighborhood. Lucy now finds herself on the horns of a dilemma : Should she opt for a safe , proper marriage to Cecil , or the bohemian unpredictability of the charismatic Emerson? A winner of three Academy Awards , A Room with a View is not what one could call fast - moving , but fans of the Merchant - Ivory team will enjoy luxuriating in the film's leisurely pace and stimulating cast of characters.

A Passage to India director David Lean's final film (for which he also received editing credit) breaks no new ground cinematically but remains an exquisitely assembled harkback to such earlier Lean epics as Doctor Zhivago and Ryan's Daughter. Based on the novel by E. M. Forster the film is set in colonial India in 1924. Adela Quested (Judy Davis) a sheltered well-educated British woman arrives in the town of Chandrapore where she hopes to experience "the real India". Here she meets and befriends Dr. Aziz (Victor Banerjee) who despite longstanding racial and social taboos moves with relative ease and freedom amongst highborn British circles. Feeling comfortable with Adela Aziz invites her to accompany him on a visit to the Marabar caves. Adela has previously exhibited bizarre almost mystical behavior during other ventures into the Indian wilderness: this time she emerges from the caves showing signs of injury and ill usage. To Aziz' horror he is accused by Adela of raping her. Typically the British ruling class rallies to Adela's defense virtually convicting Aziz before the trial ever begins. Though he is eventually acquitted due to lack of evidence (in fact director Lean never shows us what really happened) Aziz is ruined in the eyes of both the British and his own people-as is Adela. Woven into these proceedings is a subplot involving Adela's elderly travelling companion Mrs. Moore (Peggy Ashcroft) who through a series of plot twists too complex to describe here becomes a heroine of the Indian Independence movement. A Passage to India was nominated for several Academy Awards scoring wins in the categories of Best Supporting Actress (Peggy Ashcroft) and Best Original Score (Maurice Jarre). A theatrical version of A Passage to India written by Santha Rama Rau was previously adapted for television by the BBC in the mid-1970s.

A Passage to India , director David Lean 's final film ( for which he also received editing credit ), breaks no new ground cinematically , but remains an exquisitely assembled harkback to such earlier Lean epics as Doctor Zhivago and Ryan's Daughter . Based on the novel by E. M. Forster , the film is set in colonial India in 1924. Adela Quested ( Judy Davis ), a sheltered , well - educated British woman , arrives in the town of Chandrapore , where she hopes to experience "the real India". Here she meets and befriends Dr. Aziz ( Victor Banerjee ), who , despite longstanding racial and social taboos , moves with relative ease and freedom amongst highborn British circles. Feeling comfortable with Adela , Aziz invites her to accompany him on a visit to the Marabar caves. Adela has previously exhibited bizarre , almost mystical behavior during other ventures into the Indian wilderness : this time , she emerges from the caves showing signs of injury and ill usage. To Aziz' horror , he is accused by Adela of raping her. Typically , the British ruling class rallies to Adela's defense , virtually convicting Aziz before the trial ever begins. Though he is eventually acquitted due to lack of evidence ( in fact , director Lean never shows us what really happened ), Aziz is ruined in the eyes of both the British and his own people - as is Adela. Woven into these proceedings is a subplot involving Adela's elderly travelling companion Mrs. Moore ( Peggy Ashcroft ), who through a series of plot twists too complex to describe here becomes a heroine of the Indian Independence movement. A Passage to India was nominated for several Academy Awards , scoring wins in the categories of Best Supporting Actress ( Peggy Ashcroft ) and Best Original Score ( Maurice Jarre ) . A theatrical version of A Passage to India , written by Santha Rama Rau , was previously adapted for television by the BBC in the mid - 1970s.

An alternative to the general run of "triumph over the odds" biopics My Left Foot is the true story of Irish cerebral palsy victim Christy Brown. Paralyzed from birth Brown (played by Hugh O'Conor as child and Daniel Day-Lewis as an adult) is written off as retarded and helpless. But Christy's indomitable mother (Brenda Fricker) never gives up on the boy. Using his left foot the only part of his body not afflicted Brown learns to write. He grows up to become a well-known author painter and fundraiser and along the way falls in love with nurse Mary Carr (Ruth McCabe). There's no sugarcoating in My Left Foot: Brown a heavy drinker was by no means lovable. Day-Lewis and Fricker both won Academy Awards for their performances and the film was nominated for Best Picture Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. Also notable are the late Ray McAnally in his next-to-last film role as Christy's father and venerable Cyril Cusack as Lord Castlewelland. Director Jim Sheridan co-scripted with Shane Connaughton from Christy Brown's autobiography.

An alternative to the general run of "triumph over the odds" biopics , My Left Foot is the true story of Irish cerebral palsy victim Christy Brown . Paralyzed from birth , Brown ( played by Hugh O'Conor as child and Daniel Day - Lewis as an adult ) is written off as retarded and helpless. But Christy's indomitable mother ( Brenda Fricker ) never gives up on the boy. Using his left foot , the only part of his body not afflicted , Brown learns to write. He grows up to become a well - known author , painter , and fundraiser , and along the way falls in love with nurse Mary Carr ( Ruth McCabe ) . There's no sugarcoating in My Left Foot : Brown , a heavy drinker , was by no means lovable. Day - Lewis and Fricker both won Academy Awards for their performances , and the film was nominated for Best Picture , Best Director , and Best Adapted Screenplay. Also notable are the late Ray McAnally in his next - to - last film role as Christy's father , and venerable Cyril Cusack as Lord Castlewelland. Director Jim Sheridan co - scripted with Shane Connaughton from Christy Brown 's autobiography.

ob Hoskins plays George a tough but basically goodhearted British mob flunky recently released from prison where he'd served a term to cover up for his gangster boss (Michael Caine). Still willing to be everyone's doormat George agrees to act as chauffeur for Simone (Cathy Tyson) a haughty high-priced call girl. They don't like each other at first but George begins to fall for her and take a protective interest. She implores him to help her find her only truly friend a prostitute named Cathy (Kate Hardie). Touched by this devotion George locates the girl only to be chagrined to learn that Simone and Cathy are lovers. Hoskins is used and abused by so many people in Mona Lisa that when the worm finally does turn you feel like cheering--even though it doesn't make him any happier. Director Neil Jordan cowrote this study of underworld mores with David Leland.

Bob Hoskins plays George , a tough but basically goodhearted British mob flunky , recently released from prison , where he'd served a term to cover up for his gangster boss ( Michael Caine ) . Still willing to be everyone's doormat , George agrees to act as chauffeur for Simone ( Cathy Tyson ), a haughty , high - priced call girl. They don't like each other at first , but George begins to fall for her and take a protective interest. She implores him to help her find her only truly friend , a prostitute named Cathy ( Kate Hardie ) . Touched by this devotion , George locates the girl , only to be chagrined to learn that Simone and Cathy are lovers. Hoskins is used and abused by so many people in Mona Lisa that when the worm finally does turn , you feel like cheering -- even though it doesn't make him any happier. Director Neil Jordan cowrote this study of underworld mores with David Leland .

Perhaps William Shakespeare meant to have Lady Macbeth perform her sleepwalking scene in the nude -- it was this X-rated scene and the film's much-publicized spurts of violence rather than the brilliant performances of Jon Finch as Macbeth and Francesca Annis as his Lady that lured crowds to Roman Polanski's 1972 adaptation of Macbeth. Only a few critics glommed onto the most impressive aspect of Polanski's version: as Macbeth and his wife sink deeper and deeper into the morass of their murderous ambitions they age and wither before our eyes (Shakespeare's play does cover several years but this is usually forgotten or ignored by many actors and directors). Macbeth was financed and released by Playboy which naturally necessitated a fold-out spread on "the witches of Cawdor." The original Shakespearean text was adapted for the screen by Polanski and Kenneth Tynan. Despite an excellent first week Macbeth ended up in the red compelling Hugh Hefner to think twice about future motion-picture projects.

Perhaps William Shakespeare meant to have Lady Macbeth perform her sleepwalking scene in the nude -- it was this X - rated scene and the film's much - publicized spurts of violence , rather than the brilliant performances of Jon Finch as Macbeth and Francesca Annis as his Lady , that lured crowds to Roman Polanski 's 1972 adaptation of Macbeth . Only a few critics glommed onto the most impressive aspect of Polanski 's version : as Macbeth and his wife sink deeper and deeper into the morass of their murderous ambitions , they age and wither before our eyes ( Shakespeare 's play does cover several years , but this is usually forgotten or ignored by many actors and directors ) . Macbeth was financed and released by Playboy , which naturally necessitated a fold - out spread on "the witches of Cawdor." The original Shakespearean text was adapted for the screen by Polanski and Kenneth Tynan . Despite an excellent first week , Macbeth ended up in the red , compelling Hugh Hefner to think twice about future motion - picture projects.

The Killing Fields is a romanticized adaptation of an eyewitness magazine story by New York Times correspondent Sidney Schanberg. Covering the U.S. pullout from Vietnam in 1975 Schanberg (Sam Waterston) relies on his Cambodian friend and translator Dith Pran (Haing S. Ngor) for inside information. Schanberg has an opportunity to rescue Dith Pran when the U.S. army evacuates all Cambodian citizens; instead the reporter coerces his friend to remain behind to continue sending him news flashes. Although his family is helicoptered out of Saigon (a recreation of the famous TV news clip) Dith Pran stays with Schanberg on the ground. Racked with guilt Schanberg does his best to arrange for Dith Pran's escape but the Cambodian is captured by the dreaded Khmer Rouge. Accepting his Pulitzer Prize on behalf of Dith Pran Schanberg vows to do right by his friend and extricate him from Cambodia. The rest of the film details Dith Pran's harrowing experiences at the hands of the Khmer Rouge and his attempt to escape on his own. The Killing Fields won Academy Awards for Hang S. Ngor (a Cambodian doctor who lived through many of the horrific events depicted herein) cinematographer Chris Menges and editor Jim Clark; an Oscar nomination went to Roland Joffe who made his directorial debut with this film. Spalding Gray who played a small role in the film later elaborated on this experiences in his one-man stage presentation Swimming to Cambodia.

The Killing Fields is a romanticized adaptation of an eyewitness magazine story by New York Times correspondent Sidney Schanberg . Covering the U.S. pullout from Vietnam in 1975 , Schanberg ( Sam Waterston ) relies on his Cambodian friend and translator Dith Pran ( Haing S. Ngor ) for inside information. Schanberg has an opportunity to rescue Dith Pran when the U.S. army evacuates all Cambodian citizens ; instead , the reporter coerces his friend to remain behind to continue sending him news flashes. Although his family is helicoptered out of Saigon ( a recreation of the famous TV news clip ), Dith Pran stays with Schanberg on the ground. Racked with guilt , Schanberg does his best to arrange for Dith Pran's escape , but the Cambodian is captured by the dreaded Khmer Rouge. Accepting his Pulitzer Prize on behalf of Dith Pran , Schanberg vows to do right by his friend and extricate him from Cambodia. The rest of the film details Dith Pran's harrowing experiences at the hands of the Khmer Rouge , and his attempt to escape on his own. The Killing Fields won Academy Awards for Hang S. Ngor ( a Cambodian doctor who lived through many of the horrific events depicted herein ), cinematographer Chris Menges , and editor Jim Clark ; an Oscar nomination went to Roland Joffe , who made his directorial debut with this film. Spalding Gray , who played a small role in the film , later elaborated on this experiences in his one - man stage presentation Swimming to Cambodia .

John Hurt stars as John Merrick the hideously deformed 19th century Londoner known as "The Elephant Man". Treated as a sideshow freak Merrick is assumed to be retarded as well as misshapen because of his inability to speak coherently. In fact he is highly intelligent and sensitive a fact made public when one Dr. Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins) rescues Merrick from a carnival and brings him to a hospital for analysis. Alas even after being recognized as a man of advanced intellect Merrick is still treated like a freak; no matter his station in life he will forever be a prisoner of his own malformed body. Unable to secure rights for the famous stage play The Elephant Man producer Mel Brooks based his film on the memoirs of Frederick Treves and a much later account of Merrick's life by Ashley Montagu. The film is lensed in black and white by British master cinematographer Freddie Francis. Though nominated for eight Academy Awards the film was ultimately shut out in every category.

John Hurt stars as John Merrick , the hideously deformed 19th century Londoner known as "The Elephant Man". Treated as a sideshow freak , Merrick is assumed to be retarded as well as misshapen because of his inability to speak coherently. In fact , he is highly intelligent and sensitive , a fact made public when one Dr. Frederick Treves ( Anthony Hopkins ) rescues Merrick from a carnival and brings him to a hospital for analysis. Alas , even after being recognized as a man of advanced intellect , Merrick is still treated like a freak ; no matter his station in life , he will forever be a prisoner of his own malformed body. Unable to secure rights for the famous stage play The Elephant Man , producer Mel Brooks based his film on the memoirs of Frederick Treves and a much later account of Merrick's life by Ashley Montagu . The film is lensed in black and white by British master cinematographer Freddie Francis . Though nominated for eight Academy Awards , the film was ultimately shut out in every category.

This is probably Peter Greenaway's most famous (or infamous) film which first shocked audiences at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival and then on both sides of the Atlantic. A gang leader (Michael Gambon) accompanied by his wife (Helen Mirren) and his associates entertains himself every night in a fancy French restaurant that he has recently bought. Having tired of her sadistic boorish husband the wife finds herself a lover (Alan Howard) and makes love to him in the restaurant's coziest places with the silent permission of the cook (Richard Bohringer). Though less cerebral than Greenaway's other films featuring deadly passions reminiscent of Jacobean revenge tragedies of the early 17th century the picture still offers the director's usual ironic and paradoxical comments on the relations between eating and sex love and death. The film is at once funny and horrific and those who are not used to Greenaway's peculiar style might be even disgusted or shocked; however one might mention Sacha Vierny's brilliant camerawork Jean-Paul Gaultier's gaudily stylized costumes and Michael Nyman's somber pulsating music which will haunt the viewer long after the film's end.

This is probably Peter Greenaway 's most famous ( or infamous ) film , which first shocked audiences at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival and then on both sides of the Atlantic. A gang leader ( Michael Gambon ), accompanied by his wife ( Helen Mirren ) and his associates , entertains himself every night in a fancy French restaurant that he has recently bought. Having tired of her sadistic , boorish husband , the wife finds herself a lover ( Alan Howard ) and makes love to him in the restaurant's coziest places with the silent permission of the cook ( Richard Bohringer ) . Though less cerebral than Greenaway 's other films , featuring deadly passions reminiscent of Jacobean revenge tragedies of the early 17th century , the picture still offers the director's usual ironic and paradoxical comments on the relations between eating and sex , love and death. The film is at once funny and horrific , and those who are not used to Greenaway 's peculiar style might be even disgusted or shocked ; however , one might mention Sacha Vierny 's brilliant camerawork , Jean - Paul Gaultier 's gaudily stylized costumes , and Michael Nyman 's somber , pulsating music , which will haunt the viewer long after the film's end.

ased on a true story Chariots of Fire is the internationally acclaimed Oscar-winning drama of two very different men who compete as runners in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson) a serious Christian Scotsman believes that he has to succeed as a testament to his undying religious faith. Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) is a Jewish Englishman who wants desperately to be accepted and prove to the world that Jews are not inferior. The film crosscuts between each man's life as he trains for the competition fueled by these very different desires. As compelling as the racing scenes are it's really the depth of the two main characters that touches the viewer as they forcefully drive home the theme that victory attained through devotion commitment integrity and sacrifice is the most admirable feat that one can achieve. (Ian Holm was nominated for an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor in his role as Abrahams' coach) and this powerful film ended up with four Academy Awards: Best Picture Best Original Screenplay Best Costume Design and Best Original Score.

Based on a true story , Chariots of Fire is the internationally acclaimed Oscar - winning drama of two very different men who compete as runners in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Eric Liddell ( Ian Charleson ), a serious Christian Scotsman , believes that he has to succeed as a testament to his undying religious faith. Harold Abrahams ( Ben Cross ), is a Jewish Englishman who wants desperately to be accepted and prove to the world that Jews are not inferior. The film crosscuts between each man's life as he trains for the competition , fueled by these very different desires. As compelling as the racing scenes are , it's really the depth of the two main characters that touches the viewer , as they forcefully drive home the theme that victory attained through devotion , commitment , integrity , and sacrifice is the most admirable feat that one can achieve. ( Ian Holm was nominated for an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor in his role as Abrahams' coach ), and this powerful film ended up with four Academy Awards : Best Picture , Best Original Screenplay , Best Costume Design , and Best Original Score.

Adapted for the screen from Edith Wharton's much-loved novel of the same name House of Mirth follows the fortunes -- or lack thereof -- of Lily Bart an ambitious but financially imperiled young woman looking for a rich husband in early 20th century New York. The story opens as Lily (Gillian Anderson) takes tea at the apartment of Lawrence Selden (Eric Stoltz) a young bachelor lawyer to whom Lily is attracted but cannot marry because he is not wealthy enough for her liking. Lily stops at Selden's apartment en route to Bellomont where she is planning to husband-hunt at the country home of shifty businessman Gus Trenor (Dan Aykroyd) and his wife. Gus agrees to invest some money for Lily but his intentions toward her quickly turn carnal and when she rebuffs his advances she finds herself $9000 in debt. Help arrives in the form of financier Sim Rosedale (Anthony LaPaglia) who extends to Lily a businesslike proposition of marriage; though she is tempted Lily refuses his offer because he is nouveau riche rather than blueblood society. Soldiering on Lily journeys to the Mediterranean where she has been invited to the home of Bertha Dorset (Laura Linney) an alpha socialite who schemes to use Lily as an unwitting decoy for an affair under the nose of her husband George (Terry Kinney). When the trip starts to go bad George tells Lily that he wants to divorce the slatternly Bertha but needs some solid proof of her affairs in order to do so. Lily knows that one of Bertha's previous lovers was Selden but her loyalty to him prevents her from speaking up to George. So still in debt to Gus and given only a paltry inheritance by her aunt (Eleanor Bron) Lily endures a slew of unsuccessful jobs and tragically gradually sinks into the mire of genteel poverty. Directed by Terence Davies House of Mirth premiered at the 2000 Locarno Film Festival.

Adapted for the screen from Edith Wharton 's much - loved novel of the same name , House of Mirth follows the fortunes -- or lack thereof -- of Lily Bart , an ambitious but financially imperiled young woman looking for a rich husband in early 20th century New York. The story opens as Lily ( Gillian Anderson ) takes tea at the apartment of Lawrence Selden ( Eric Stoltz ), a young bachelor lawyer to whom Lily is attracted but cannot marry because he is not wealthy enough for her liking. Lily stops at Selden's apartment en route to Bellomont , where she is planning to husband - hunt at the country home of shifty businessman Gus Trenor ( Dan Aykroyd ) and his wife. Gus agrees to invest some money for Lily , but his intentions toward her quickly turn carnal , and when she rebuffs his advances , she finds herself $9 , 000 in debt. Help arrives in the form of financier Sim Rosedale ( Anthony LaPaglia ), who extends to Lily a businesslike proposition of marriage ; though she is tempted , Lily refuses his offer because he is nouveau riche rather than blueblood society. Soldiering on , Lily journeys to the Mediterranean , where she has been invited to the home of Bertha Dorset ( Laura Linney ), an alpha socialite who schemes to use Lily as an unwitting decoy for an affair under the nose of her husband George ( Terry Kinney ) . When the trip starts to go bad , George tells Lily that he wants to divorce the slatternly Bertha , but needs some solid proof of her affairs in order to do so. Lily knows that one of Bertha's previous lovers was Selden , but her loyalty to him prevents her from speaking up to George. So , still in debt to Gus and given only a paltry inheritance by her aunt ( Eleanor Bron ), Lily endures a slew of unsuccessful jobs and , tragically , gradually sinks into the mire of genteel poverty. Directed by Terence Davies , House of Mirth premiered at the 2000 Locarno Film Festival .

ased on the novel by Graham Greene this romantic drama stars Ralph Fiennes as Maurice Bendrix a novelist who during World War II had an affair with Sarah Miles (Julianne Moore) the wife of his best friend Henry (Stephen Rea). Sarah abruptly broke off the romance in 1944 but two years later after Maurice runs into Henry he becomes obsessed with the affair and hires a man to investigate Sarah. He reads her diary of their forbidden romance in the midst of the London Blitz and discovers that overwhelmed with fear and guilt she pledged to God that she would end the affair if Maurice's life were spared. Maurice is determined to reintroduce himself into Sarah's life but she fears that being near him would be too great a temptation. The End of the Affair was previously brought to the screen in 1955 by Edward Dmytryk; this version was written for the screen and directed by Academy Award-winner Neil Jordan.

Based on the novel by Graham Greene , this romantic drama stars Ralph Fiennes as Maurice Bendrix , a novelist who , during World War II , had an affair with Sarah Miles ( Julianne Moore ), the wife of his best friend Henry ( Stephen Rea ) . Sarah abruptly broke off the romance in 1944 , but two years later , after Maurice runs into Henry , he becomes obsessed with the affair and hires a man to investigate Sarah. He reads her diary of their forbidden romance in the midst of the London Blitz and discovers that , overwhelmed with fear and guilt , she pledged to God that she would end the affair if Maurice's life were spared. Maurice is determined to reintroduce himself into Sarah's life , but she fears that being near him would be too great a temptation. The End of the Affair was previously brought to the screen in 1955 by Edward Dmytryk ; this version was written for the screen and directed by Academy Award - winner Neil Jordan .

Lynne Ramsay's debut feature Ratcatcher is a gritty but often lyrical portrait of a boy growing up on the wrong side of the Scottish tracks. James (William Eadie) is a 12-year-old coming of age in a rough working-class section of Glasgow. Something of a misfit James has only two close friends Margaret Anne (Leanne Mullen) an older girl whose need to be loved often leads her into ill-advised sexual episodes with the neighborhood boys and Kenny (John Miller) a half-bright kid who loves animals but isn't sure what went wrong when he tried to send his pet mouse into space. One day James gets into a fight with another boy near a canal that runs through town. James accidentally knocks the boy into the water and he drowns; James is too scared to tell anyone but the incident weighs heavily on him adding further tension to an already strained relationship with his alcoholic father. Lynne Ramsay's previous short films won awards at the Cannes Film Festival which led to Ratcatcher's being screened in the "Un Certain Regard" series at Cannes in 1999.

Lynne Ramsay 's debut feature Ratcatcher is a gritty but often lyrical portrait of a boy growing up on the wrong side of the Scottish tracks. James ( William Eadie ) is a 12 - year - old coming of age in a rough working - class section of Glasgow. Something of a misfit , James has only two close friends , Margaret Anne ( Leanne Mullen ), an older girl whose need to be loved often leads her into ill - advised sexual episodes with the neighborhood boys , and Kenny ( John Miller ), a half - bright kid who loves animals but isn't sure what went wrong when he tried to send his pet mouse into space. One day , James gets into a fight with another boy near a canal that runs through town. James accidentally knocks the boy into the water and he drowns ; James is too scared to tell anyone , but the incident weighs heavily on him , adding further tension to an already strained relationship with his alcoholic father. Lynne Ramsay 's previous short films won awards at the Cannes Film Festival , which led to Ratcatcher 's being screened in the "Un Certain Regard" series at Cannes in 1999.

Can a beautiful and internationally famous American actress find happiness with a frumpy British bookstore clerk? She can -- at least for a while it seems -- in Notting Hill. William Thacker (played by Hugh Grant) is a bookseller at a shop in the Notting Hill district in West London who shares a house with an eccentric Welsh friend Spike (Rhys Ifans). One day William is minding the store when in strolls Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) a lovely and well-known actress from the United States who is in London working on a film. She buys a book from William and she is polite and charming in the way a famous actress would be with a star-struck sales clerk. Their relationship would logically end there if William didn't run out a few minutes later to buy some juice. While dashing back to the shop he bumps into Anna on the street spilling juice all over her blouse. Since he lives nearby William politely offers to let her stop by his house to clean up; since William seems harmless enough Anna agrees. When Anna has to stop back to pick up a bag she left at William's house they kiss -- just in time for Spike to show up. A romance slowly blooms as his friends and family (not to mention the world at large) wonder out loud what he's doing dating a movie star. Notting Hill reunites Hugh Grant with producer Duncan Kenworthy and screenwriter Richard Curtis who previously worked together on the international hit Four Weddings And A Funeral.

Can a beautiful and internationally famous American actress find happiness with a frumpy British bookstore clerk? She can -- at least for a while , it seems -- in Notting Hill . William Thacker ( played by Hugh Grant ) is a bookseller at a shop in the Notting Hill district in West London , who shares a house with an eccentric Welsh friend , Spike ( Rhys Ifans ) . One day , William is minding the store when in strolls Anna Scott ( Julia Roberts ), a lovely and well - known actress from the United States who is in London working on a film. She buys a book from William , and she is polite and charming in the way a famous actress would be with a star - struck sales clerk. Their relationship would logically end there , if William didn't run out a few minutes later to buy some juice. While dashing back to the shop , he bumps into Anna on the street , spilling juice all over her blouse. Since he lives nearby , William politely offers to let her stop by his house to clean up ; since William seems harmless enough , Anna agrees. When Anna has to stop back to pick up a bag she left at William's house , they kiss -- just in time for Spike to show up. A romance slowly blooms as his friends and family ( not to mention the world at large ) wonder out loud what he's doing dating a movie star. Notting Hill reunites Hugh Grant with producer Duncan Kenworthy and screenwriter Richard Curtis , who previously worked together on the international hit Four Weddings And A Funeral .

Actor Peter Mullan won the 1998 Cannes Film Festival "Best Actor" award with this film directed by Ken Loach (Carla's Song Ladybird Ladybird). The drama is set in Possilpark one of Glasgow's poorest neighborhoods a rough section where half the population is out of work. Unemployed reformed alcoholic Joe Kavanagh (Mullan) does odd jobs and manages a stumbling soccer team. One of the players is Liam (David McKay) in debt to hood McGowan (David Hayman). Liam and junkie Sabine (Annemarie Kennedy) are raising a small son. After Joe meets social worker Sarah (Louise Goodall) he and his pal Shanks show up to help in the wallpapering of Sarah's apartment. This job creates a problem for Joe with the local unemployment office until Sarah steps in to cover. It's the beginning of a romance and Joe and Sarah make an effort to help Liam and Sarah when they are threatened by the loan sharks. Mullan commented "The drug problem in that place is so serious that people are passive. They are corralled in a sort of dog-eat-dog environment where humans meet to laugh and thrive but have no hope of getting out." Scripted by former lawyer Paul Laverty the film is inspired by the first half of Loach's Carla's Song.

Actor Peter Mullan won the 1998 Cannes Film Festival "Best Actor" award with this film , directed by Ken Loach ( Carla's Song , Ladybird , Ladybird ) . The drama is set in Possilpark , one of Glasgow's poorest neighborhoods , a rough section where half the population is out of work. Unemployed reformed alcoholic Joe Kavanagh ( Mullan ) does odd jobs and manages a stumbling soccer team. One of the players is Liam ( David McKay ), in debt to hood McGowan ( David Hayman ) . Liam and junkie Sabine ( Annemarie Kennedy ) are raising a small son. After Joe meets social worker Sarah ( Louise Goodall ), he and his pal Shanks show up to help in the wallpapering of Sarah's apartment. This job creates a problem for Joe with the local unemployment office , until Sarah steps in to cover. It's the beginning of a romance , and Joe and Sarah make an effort to help Liam and Sarah when they are threatened by the loan sharks. Mullan commented , "The drug problem in that place is so serious that people are passive. They are corralled in a sort of dog - eat - dog environment where humans meet to laugh and thrive but have no hope of getting out." Scripted by former lawyer Paul Laverty , the film is inspired by the first half of Loach 's Carla's Song .

Noted actor Tim Roth made his directorial debut with this powerful drama about a family in crisis. Tom (Freddie Cunliffe) is an awkward and troubled 15-year-old boy whose isolation increases when his family moves from London to a remote community in the Devon countryside. Tom his 18-year-old sister Jessie (Lara Belmont) his father (Ray Winstone) and his pregnant mother (Tilda Swinton) live in close quarters in a small cottage; they sometimes bathe in the kitchen and they have grown used to casual nudity around the house. But one day Tom sees his father in a sexual embrace with Jessie. He tries to discuss what he's seen with her but she refuses to talk about it. Unable to stand the tension in the household after his mother takes the seriously ill baby to the hospital Tom confronts his father who angrily denies the truth. Tom is finally forced to take drastic action to stop his vengeful and violent father. Written by Alexander Stuart from his own novel The War Zone received an enthusiastic response at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival and was named Best New British Feature at the 1999 Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Noted actor Tim Roth made his directorial debut with this powerful drama about a family in crisis. Tom ( Freddie Cunliffe ) is an awkward and troubled 15 - year - old boy whose isolation increases when his family moves from London to a remote community in the Devon countryside. Tom , his 18 - year - old sister Jessie ( Lara Belmont ), his father ( Ray Winstone ), and his pregnant mother ( Tilda Swinton ) live in close quarters in a small cottage ; they sometimes bathe in the kitchen , and they have grown used to casual nudity around the house. But one day , Tom sees his father in a sexual embrace with Jessie. He tries to discuss what he's seen with her , but she refuses to talk about it. Unable to stand the tension in the household after his mother takes the seriously ill baby to the hospital , Tom confronts his father , who angrily denies the truth. Tom is finally forced to take drastic action to stop his vengeful and violent father. Written by Alexander Stuart from his own novel , The War Zone received an enthusiastic response at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival and was named Best New British Feature at the 1999 Edinburgh International Film Festival .

Jim Sheridan (In the Name of the Father) directed this drama about a Belfast boxer filmed with Dublin locations substituting for Belfast. Released after his 14-year prison sentence for IRA activities 32-year-old Danny Flynn (Daniel Day-Lewis) returns to his old neighborhood and sees former-flame Maggie (Emily Watson) who has an unhappy marriage and now raises her son alone while her husband is in prison. To get back in the boxing ring Danny gets the community-center gym back in operation and starts training encountering opposition from militant IRA members including Harry (Gerald McSorley). Danny and Maggie grow closer but after a bomb sets off events leading to the destruction of the gym Danny leaves for a disastrous boxing match in London. More grim situations arise when he returns to Belfast.

Jim Sheridan ( In the Name of the Father ) directed this drama about a Belfast boxer , filmed with Dublin locations substituting for Belfast. Released after his 14 - year prison sentence for IRA activities , 32 - year - old Danny Flynn ( Daniel Day - Lewis ) returns to his old neighborhood and sees former - flame Maggie ( Emily Watson ), who has an unhappy marriage and now raises her son alone while her husband is in prison. To get back in the boxing ring , Danny gets the community - center gym back in operation and starts training , encountering opposition from militant IRA members , including Harry ( Gerald McSorley ) . Danny and Maggie grow closer , but after a bomb sets off events leading to the destruction of the gym , Danny leaves for a disastrous boxing match in London. More grim situations arise when he returns to Belfast.

ased on the 1902 Henry James novel of the same name The Wings of the Dove is set in 1910. After the death of her mother Kate Croy (Helena Bonham Carter) has become a ward of her wealthy Aunt Maude (Charlotte Rampling) who is paying her dissipated father (Michael Gambon) to stay out of Kate's life. Maude wants Kate not to repeat Kate's mother's mistake and marry someone who is a commoner and Maude arranges a meeting between Kate and Lord Mark (Alex Jennings) a high-class gentleman who can escort her to the right places. But Kate is more interested in Merton Densher (Linus Roache) a penniless journalist. A beautiful but terminally ill American heiress Millie Theale (Alison Elliott) arrives on the scene and befriends Kate. Kate notices Millie's obvious affection for the handsome Merton and she arranges an elaborate scheme to hook up the two of them so that Merton can collect Millie's money after her death. But because of her own jealousy Kate repeatedly sabotages her own arrangement.

Based on the 1902 Henry James novel of the same name , The Wings of the Dove is set in 1910. After the death of her mother , Kate Croy ( Helena Bonham Carter ) has become a ward of her wealthy Aunt Maude ( Charlotte Rampling ), who is paying her dissipated father ( Michael Gambon ) to stay out of Kate's life. Maude wants Kate not to repeat Kate's mother's mistake and marry someone who is a commoner , and Maude arranges a meeting between Kate and Lord Mark ( Alex Jennings ), a high - class gentleman who can escort her to the right places. But Kate is more interested in Merton Densher ( Linus Roache ), a penniless journalist. A beautiful but terminally ill American heiress , Millie Theale ( Alison Elliott ), arrives on the scene and befriends Kate. Kate notices Millie's obvious affection for the handsome Merton , and she arranges an elaborate scheme to hook up the two of them so that Merton can collect Millie's money after her death. But because of her own jealousy , Kate repeatedly sabotages her own arrangement.

Six guys with nothing left to lose try losing their clothing for fun and profit in this international hit comedy. Gaz (Robert Carlyle) and Dave (Mark Addy) are two former steelworkers in the British industrial town of Sheffield who have been devastated by the economic downturn in their community. Gaz is threatened with losing visitation rights with his son if he can't pay his child support while Dave feels emasculated by his inability to support his wife. One day Gaz stops by a local pub for a drink and is told it's women only tonight -- the Chippendales male exotic dancing troupe is playing and they are demanding a hefty cover charge. Gaz decides there's nothing a bunch of pantywaists from America can do that he and his pals can't do better and decides to form his own crew of male strippers called "Hard Steel." However the local talent pool leaves a bit to be desired. Gaz isn't bad looking but Dave is a bit heavy and very self conscious about it. Horse (Paul Barber) was probably hot stuff at Soul Night in the mid-70's but his joints don't move like they used to. Guy (Hugo Speer) can't dance to save his life but makes the troupe because ... well let's say he and Dirk Diggler would have a lot to say to each other. Lomper (Steve Huison) is sometimes too busy attempting suicide to practice. And Gerald (Tom Wilkinson) their choreographer isn't much on male exotic dancing -- ballroom dancing is more his speed. While "Hard Steel"'s performances are more amusing then enticing for the first time since they lost their jobs the men have a reason to get up in the morning; joining the group has given them a circle of friendship and a renewed sense of purpose. Combining broad comedy with believable and well-drawn characters The Full Monty was a major box-office hit both in England and the United States and was nominated for Academy Awards as Best Picture Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.

Six guys with nothing left to lose try losing their clothing for fun and profit in this international hit comedy. Gaz ( Robert Carlyle ) and Dave ( Mark Addy ) are two former steelworkers in the British industrial town of Sheffield who have been devastated by the economic downturn in their community. Gaz is threatened with losing visitation rights with his son if he can't pay his child support , while Dave feels emasculated by his inability to support his wife. One day , Gaz stops by a local pub for a drink and is told it's women only tonight -- the Chippendales male exotic dancing troupe is playing , and they are demanding a hefty cover charge. Gaz decides there's nothing a bunch of pantywaists from America can do that he and his pals can't do better , and decides to form his own crew of male strippers , called "Hard Steel." However , the local talent pool leaves a bit to be desired. Gaz isn't bad looking , but Dave is a bit heavy and very self conscious about it. Horse ( Paul Barber ) was probably hot stuff at Soul Night in the mid - 70's , but his joints don't move like they used to. Guy ( Hugo Speer ) can't dance to save his life , but makes the troupe because ... well , let's say he and Dirk Diggler would have a lot to say to each other. Lomper ( Steve Huison ) is sometimes too busy attempting suicide to practice. And Gerald ( Tom Wilkinson ), their choreographer , isn't much on male exotic dancing -- ballroom dancing is more his speed. While "Hard Steel"'s performances are more amusing then enticing , for the first time since they lost their jobs the men have a reason to get up in the morning ; joining the group has given them a circle of friendship , and a renewed sense of purpose. Combining broad comedy with believable and well - drawn characters , The Full Monty was a major box - office hit both in England and the United States and was nominated for Academy Awards as Best Picture , Best Director , and Best Original Screenplay.

In a small city in the English midlands a Pakistani immigrant named Parvez (Om Puri) works long hours driving a cab to provide modest comfort for his disapproving wife Minoo (Gopi Desai) and better opportunities for his collegiate son Farid (Akbar Kurtha). When Farid breaks off his engagement with the daughter of the city's white police commissioner drops out of university and joins a cell of Islamic fundamentalists Parvez must bide his time and hope that his son will come around to his own liberal assimilationist views. Meanwhile a monied German entrepreneur named Schitz (Stellan Skarsgard) arrives in town on business and retains Parvez's services as not only driver but navigator of the city's steamy underbelly. Parvez recommends the services of Bettina (Rachel Griffiths) a local hooker with whom he has struck up an unlikely but warm friendship. Schitz's callous treatment of both of his new employees soon however sickens Parvez. After his son convinces Parvez to let a visiting holy man move into the family home the conflicts between Parvez's nocturnal activities and his home life escalate. The screenplay was adapted by Hanif Kureishi from his own short story which appears in the collection Love in a Blue Time.

In a small city in the English midlands , a Pakistani immigrant named Parvez ( Om Puri ) works long hours driving a cab to provide modest comfort for his disapproving wife , Minoo ( Gopi Desai ), and better opportunities for his collegiate son , Farid ( Akbar Kurtha ) . When Farid breaks off his engagement with the daughter of the city's white police commissioner , drops out of university and joins a cell of Islamic fundamentalists , Parvez must bide his time and hope that his son will come around to his own liberal , assimilationist views. Meanwhile , a monied German entrepreneur named Schitz ( Stellan Skarsgard ) arrives in town on business and retains Parvez's services as not only driver but navigator of the city's steamy underbelly. Parvez recommends the services of Bettina ( Rachel Griffiths ), a local hooker with whom he has struck up an unlikely but warm friendship. Schitz's callous treatment of both of his new employees soon , however , sickens Parvez. After his son convinces Parvez to let a visiting holy man move into the family home , the conflicts between Parvez's nocturnal activities and his home life escalate. The screenplay was adapted by Hanif Kureishi from his own short story , which appears in the collection Love in a Blue Time .

Neil Jordan directed this adaptation of Patrick McCabe's novel about a boy's struggles with violence and mental illness. Francie Brady (Eamonn Owens) is a young boy growing up in Dublin in the early 1960s where his life is dominated by his active imagination and his best friend Joe (Alan Boyle). But beneath this benign surface lurks a troubled soul; his father (Stephen Rea) is an embittered alcoholic his mother (Aisling O'Sullivan) is emotionally unstable and periodically ends up in the local mental hospital (or as she calls it "the garage" because it's where they take you when you break down) and their next-door neighbor Mrs. Nugent (Fiona Shaw) often rants that the Bradys are "pigs" not fit to live with. For all their troubles Francie fiercely loves his parents and he can't abide Mrs. Nugent's insults. But his playful childhood pranks begin to advance into more destructive and menacing behavior which leads him to his own stay in "the garage." Branded a lunatic by the community and shorn of his only close friendship when Joe takes up with Mrs. Nugent's son Francie soon reaches the point of collapse. With nowhere to go Francie takes an especially awful job as a butcher's assistant and his overactive imagination goes into overdrive flooding his mind with images of alien takeover atomic apocalypse and the Virgin Mary (Sinead O'Connor) that lead him further down the path toward shocking acts of violence.

Neil Jordan directed this adaptation of Patrick McCabe 's novel about a boy's struggles with violence and mental illness. Francie Brady ( Eamonn Owens ) is a young boy growing up in Dublin in the early 1960s , where his life is dominated by his active imagination and his best friend Joe ( Alan Boyle ) . But beneath this benign surface lurks a troubled soul ; his father ( Stephen Rea ) is an embittered alcoholic , his mother ( Aisling O'Sullivan ) is emotionally unstable and periodically ends up in the local mental hospital ( or as she calls it , "the garage , " because it's where they take you when you break down ), and their next - door neighbor , Mrs. Nugent ( Fiona Shaw ) often rants that the Bradys are "pigs" not fit to live with. For all their troubles , Francie fiercely loves his parents , and he can't abide Mrs. Nugent's insults. But his playful childhood pranks begin to advance into more destructive and menacing behavior , which leads him to his own stay in "the garage." Branded a lunatic by the community and shorn of his only close friendship when Joe takes up with Mrs. Nugent's son , Francie soon reaches the point of collapse. With nowhere to go , Francie takes an especially awful job as a butcher's assistant , and his overactive imagination goes into overdrive , flooding his mind with images of alien takeover , atomic apocalypse , and the Virgin Mary ( Sinead O'Connor ) that lead him further down the path toward shocking acts of violence.

Anthony Minghella wrote and directed this award-winning adaptation of Michael Ondaatje's novel about a doomed and tragic romance set against the backdrop of World War II. In a field hospital in Italy Hana (Juliette Binoche) a nurse from Canada is caring for a pilot who was horribly burned in a plane wreck; he has no identification and cannot remember his name so he's known simply as "the English Patient" thanks to his accent. When the hospital is forced to evacuate Hana determines en route that the patient shouldn't be moved far due to his fragile condition so the two are left in a monastery to be picked up later. In time Hana begins to piece together the patient's story from the shards of his memories; he's actually Count Laszlo Almasy (Ralph Fiennes) of Hungarian nobility and an explorer working with a group mapping uncharted territory in North Africa. An Englishman Geoffrey Clifton (Colin Firth) soon joins Almasy's team; travelling with him is his lovely and spirited wife Katherine (Kristin Scott Thomas). Katherine and Laszlo soon fall in love which leads Laszlo to betray his friend his country and all that is dear to him. Meanwhile Hana and the Patient are joined by Kip (Naveen Andrews) a Sikh with a gift for defusing mines and Caravaggio (Willem Dafoe) an intelligence agent who knows some of Laszlo's most shameful secrets. The English Patient won nine Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Director and Best Supporting Actress (Juliette Binoche).

Anthony Minghella wrote and directed this award - winning adaptation of Michael Ondaatje 's novel about a doomed and tragic romance set against the backdrop of World War II. In a field hospital in Italy , Hana ( Juliette Binoche ), a nurse from Canada , is caring for a pilot who was horribly burned in a plane wreck ; he has no identification and cannot remember his name , so he's known simply as "the English Patient , " thanks to his accent. When the hospital is forced to evacuate , Hana determines en route that the patient shouldn't be moved far due to his fragile condition , so the two are left in a monastery to be picked up later. In time , Hana begins to piece together the patient's story from the shards of his memories ; he's actually Count Laszlo Almasy ( Ralph Fiennes ), of Hungarian nobility and an explorer working with a group mapping uncharted territory in North Africa. An Englishman , Geoffrey Clifton ( Colin Firth ), soon joins Almasy's team ; travelling with him is his lovely and spirited wife , Katherine ( Kristin Scott Thomas ) . Katherine and Laszlo soon fall in love , which leads Laszlo to betray his friend , his country and all that is dear to him. Meanwhile , Hana and the Patient are joined by Kip ( Naveen Andrews ), a Sikh with a gift for defusing mines , and Caravaggio ( Willem Dafoe ), an intelligence agent who knows some of Laszlo's most shameful secrets. The English Patient won nine Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Director and Best Supporting Actress ( Juliette Binoche ) .

Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) a young man with few prospects and fewer ambitions lives in economically depressed Edinburgh. Like most of his friends Renton is a heroin addict who loves the drug's blissful nothingness; financing his habit also provides excitement and challenges that his life otherwise lacks. Renton's two best friends are also junkies: Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller) a snappy dresser obsessed with James Bond and Spud (Ewan Bremner) a guileless nerd who suggests Pee Wee Herman's debauched cousin. Renton and his pals also hang out with Begbie (Robert Carlyle) a borderline psychotic who loathes junkies even though he drinks like a fish. After one too many brushes with the law Renton kicks heroin and moves to London where he finds a job a flat and something close to peace of mind. However Sick Boy Begbie and Spud all arrive at his doorstep on the trail of a big score leading Renton back into drugs and crime.

Mark Renton ( Ewan McGregor ), a young man with few prospects and fewer ambitions , lives in economically depressed Edinburgh. Like most of his friends , Renton is a heroin addict who loves the drug's blissful nothingness ; financing his habit also provides excitement and challenges that his life otherwise lacks. Renton's two best friends are also junkies : Sick Boy ( Jonny Lee Miller ), a snappy dresser obsessed with James Bond , and Spud ( Ewan Bremner ), a guileless nerd who suggests Pee Wee Herman 's debauched cousin. Renton and his pals also hang out with Begbie ( Robert Carlyle ), a borderline psychotic who loathes junkies even though he drinks like a fish. After one too many brushes with the law , Renton kicks heroin and moves to London , where he finds a job , a flat , and something close to peace of mind. However , Sick Boy , Begbie , and Spud all arrive at his doorstep on the trail of a big score , leading Renton back into drugs and crime.

The recipient of seven Oscar® nominations this film version of Jane Austen's classic 1811 novel stars Emma Thompson as Elinor Dashwood. With her mother and sisters Elinor struggles financially after the death of her father who bequeathed the Dashwood estate to his oafish son by an earlier marriage. While sorting out the family's affairs the shy self-sacrificing Elinor secretly falls for her stepbrother-in-law Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant) a sensitive well-educated bachelor who cannot court her because of his foolhardy youthful engagement to the greedy Lucy Steele (Imogen Stubbs). The grateful Dashwoods are offered a modest country home by family friends which they accept. Once relocated Elinor's brash spirited sister Marianne (Kate Winslet) falls for a dashing local John Willoughby (Greg Wise) a womanizer who nevertheless seems to share her affections. A prominent neighbor Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman) also falls in love with Marianne but she is oblivious to the older man's affections. Eventually Willoughby fails Marianne breaking her heart until she realizes Brandon's feelings. When Edward's family disowns him Lucy marries his brother instead leaving him free to pursue an exultant Elinor. Thompson won the film's sole Oscar® for her screenplay adaptation of Austen's novel.

The recipient of seven Oscar® nominations , this film version of Jane Austen 's classic 1811 novel stars Emma Thompson as Elinor Dashwood. With her mother and sisters , Elinor struggles financially after the death of her father , who bequeathed the Dashwood estate to his oafish son by an earlier marriage. While sorting out the family's affairs , the shy , self - sacrificing Elinor secretly falls for her stepbrother - in - law , Edward Ferrars ( Hugh Grant ), a sensitive , well - educated bachelor who cannot court her because of his foolhardy youthful engagement to the greedy Lucy Steele ( Imogen Stubbs ) . The grateful Dashwoods are offered a modest country home by family friends , which they accept. Once relocated , Elinor's brash , spirited sister Marianne ( Kate Winslet ) falls for a dashing local , John Willoughby ( Greg Wise ), a womanizer who nevertheless seems to share her affections. A prominent neighbor , Colonel Brandon ( Alan Rickman ), also falls in love with Marianne , but she is oblivious to the older man's affections. Eventually , Willoughby fails Marianne , breaking her heart , until she realizes Brandon's feelings. When Edward's family disowns him , Lucy marries his brother instead , leaving him free to pursue an exultant Elinor. Thompson won the film's sole Oscar® for her screenplay adaptation of Austen's novel.

The film equivalent of a stroll through the Louvre the documentary Visions of Light: The Art of Cinematography collects interviews with many of modern-day Hollywood's finest directors of photography and is illustrated by examples of their best work as well as scenes from the pictures which most influenced them. A who's-who of cinematographers -- Nestor Almendros John Bailey Conrad Hall Laszlo Kovacs Sven Nykvist Vittorio Storaro Haskell Wexler Gordon Willis Vilmos Zsigmond and others -- discuss their craft with rare perception and insight paying homage to pioneers like Gregg Toland Billy Bitzer and John Alton and explaining the origins behind many of the most indelible images in movie history; from Citizen Kane to The Godfather and from Sunrise to Night of the Hunter many of the truly unforgettable moments in American film history are here in all their brilliance and glory.

The film equivalent of a stroll through the Louvre , the documentary Visions of Light : The Art of Cinematography collects interviews with many of modern - day Hollywood's finest directors of photography and is illustrated by examples of their best work as well as scenes from the pictures which most influenced them. A who's - who of cinematographers -- Nestor Almendros , John Bailey , Conrad Hall , Laszlo Kovacs , Sven Nykvist , Vittorio Storaro , Haskell Wexler , Gordon Willis , Vilmos Zsigmond and others -- discuss their craft with rare perception and insight , paying homage to pioneers like Gregg Toland , Billy Bitzer and John Alton and explaining the origins behind many of the most indelible images in movie history ; from Citizen Kane to The Godfather and from Sunrise to Night of the Hunter , many of the truly unforgettable moments in American film history are here in all their brilliance and glory.

While set within the milieu of the Los Angeles adult film industry Boogie Nights is less a film about pornography than the serio-comic story of a group of misfits losers and lost souls who are embraced by Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds) a director who makes "adult films exotic motion pictures." In 1977 while hanging out at a disco Jack spots Eddie (Mark Wahlberg) the new busboy at the club and tells him he's convinced "there's something wonderful inside those jeans waiting to get out." Jack knows his business well and his expert eye has not betrayed him; Eddie is a pornographer's dream -- good looking remarkably endowed and willing and able to do as many takes as might be needed. The product of a woefully dysfunctional upbringing Eddie is not terribly bright but is very ambitious and eager to prove he has a "special something" to share with the world. Eddie changes his name to Dirk Diggler and quickly becomes the biggest star in hardcore. Working alongside "Dirk" in Jack's films are Amber Waves (Julianne Moore) a porn actress who applies her misplaced maternal instincts to anyone who needs nurturing; Rollergirl (Heather Graham) a cheerful but blank-faced high school drop-out who never removes her roller skates; Reed Rothchild (John C. Reilly) a none-too-bright actor aspiring magician and failing songwriter; Buck (Don Cheadle) a black actor fascinated with cowboy iconography who wants to open a stereo shop; Scotty J (Philip Seymour Hoffman) a stocky and awkward soundman infatuated with Dirk; Little Bill (William H. Macy) Jack's assistant director who has trouble dealing with his wife's brazen infidelity; and Colonel James (Robert Ridgely) Jack's backer who has a weakness for young girls. In the brief late-'70s moment when porn was chic and sex films seemed poised to break into the mainstream Dirk becomes a star and Jack a respected name. But a few years later drugs and pride have taken their toll on Dirk and many of his friends while the advent of the VCR radically changes the adult movie business; Jack goes from being a "filmmaker" to manufacturing and wholesaling videocassettes a wealthy but emotionally broken man. In his second film wunderkind director Paul Thomas Anderson juggled a broad range of characters in a manner reminiscent of Robert Altman's ensemble films making Boogie Nights a sad but funny story of a makeshift family of damaged people and what happens before and after their brief moment in the sun.

While set within the milieu of the Los Angeles adult film industry , Boogie Nights is less a film about pornography than the serio - comic story of a group of misfits , losers , and lost souls who are embraced by Jack Horner ( Burt Reynolds ), a director who makes "adult films , exotic motion pictures." In 1977 , while hanging out at a disco , Jack spots Eddie ( Mark Wahlberg ), the new busboy at the club , and tells him he's convinced "there's something wonderful inside those jeans waiting to get out." Jack knows his business well and his expert eye has not betrayed him ; Eddie is a pornographer's dream -- good looking , remarkably endowed , and willing and able to do as many takes as might be needed. The product of a woefully dysfunctional upbringing , Eddie is not terribly bright but is very ambitious and eager to prove he has a "special something" to share with the world. Eddie changes his name to Dirk Diggler and quickly becomes the biggest star in hardcore. Working alongside "Dirk" in Jack's films are Amber Waves ( Julianne Moore ), a porn actress who applies her misplaced maternal instincts to anyone who needs nurturing ; Rollergirl ( Heather Graham ), a cheerful but blank - faced high school drop - out who never removes her roller skates ; Reed Rothchild ( John C. Reilly ), a none - too - bright actor , aspiring magician , and failing songwriter ; Buck ( Don Cheadle ), a black actor fascinated with cowboy iconography who wants to open a stereo shop ; Scotty J ( Philip Seymour Hoffman ), a stocky and awkward soundman infatuated with Dirk ; Little Bill ( William H. Macy ), Jack's assistant director , who has trouble dealing with his wife's brazen infidelity ; and Colonel James ( Robert Ridgely ), Jack's backer , who has a weakness for young girls. In the brief , late - '70s moment when porn was chic and sex films seemed poised to break into the mainstream , Dirk becomes a star and Jack a respected name. But a few years later , drugs and pride have taken their toll on Dirk and many of his friends , while the advent of the VCR radically changes the adult movie business ; Jack goes from being a "filmmaker" to manufacturing and wholesaling videocassettes , a wealthy but emotionally broken man. In his second film , wunderkind director Paul Thomas Anderson juggled a broad range of characters in a manner reminiscent of Robert Altman 's ensemble films , making Boogie Nights a sad but funny story of a makeshift family of damaged people and what happens before and after their brief moment in the sun.

This documentary about the aspirations of high-school basketball players from inner city Chicago won awards from the Sundance film festival the New York Film Critics Circle and the Academy Award (Oscar) for best editing. Two young men are followed during their entire high-school career beginning with their participation in playground games and ending with their being recruited by colleges. The obstacles these young men face include parental drug addiction family poverty and inner-city violence as well as the usual obstacles that arise in competition including physical injuries. While each aspires to leave the ghetto there are many reasons to suppose they may not be able to despite each beating the odds against them by winning college scholarships.

This documentary about the aspirations of high - school basketball players from inner city Chicago won awards from the Sundance film festival , the New York Film Critics Circle , and the Academy Award ( Oscar ) for best editing. Two young men are followed during their entire high - school career , beginning with their participation in playground games and ending with their being recruited by colleges. The obstacles these young men face include parental drug addiction , family poverty , and inner - city violence , as well as the usual obstacles that arise in competition , including physical injuries. While each aspires to leave the ghetto , there are many reasons to suppose they may not be able to , despite each beating the odds against them by winning college scholarships.

Hollywood visionary Tim Burton pays homage to another Hollywood visionary albeit a less successful one in this unusual fictionalized biography. The film follows Wood (Johnny Depp) in his quest for film greatness as he writes and directs turkey after turkey cross-dresses and surrounds himself with a motley crew of Hollywood misfits outcasts has-beens and never-weres. The real story however is his friendship with aging morphine-addicted Bela Lugosi (Martin Landau) whom he tries to help stage a comeback. Landau's unforgettable Oscar-winning performance must be seen to be believed as must Rick Baker's Oscar-winning makeup. While it would have been easy to make a film simply ridiculing the bumbling director Burton instead focuses on his driving passion for filmmaking and his unwavering persistence in the face of ridicule and failure. Possibly the most surprising aspect of the film is the genuine sentiment with which Burton treats the relationship between Wood and Lugosi; his devotion to Lugosi is touching as is Lugosi's final soliloquy -- an inane bit of dialogue from the hilariously bad Bride of the Monster that grows into a poignant metaphor for the actor's life and ultimate triumph of his spirit. Even the look of the film is right; it manages to preserve the air of one of Wood's own films while retaining a sense of artistry in much of the composition on screen (note the scene at the drug rehab where Lugosi endures a horrifying night of detox). In all Ed Wood is a unique film -- at times side-splittingly funny; at others tragic or even frightening -- and a heartfelt tribute to the love of movies good and bad alike.

Hollywood visionary Tim Burton pays homage to another Hollywood visionary , albeit a less successful one , in this unusual fictionalized biography. The film follows Wood ( Johnny Depp ) in his quest for film greatness as he writes and directs turkey after turkey , cross - dresses , and surrounds himself with a motley crew of Hollywood misfits , outcasts , has - beens , and never - weres. The real story , however , is his friendship with aging , morphine - addicted Bela Lugosi ( Martin Landau ), whom he tries to help stage a comeback. Landau's unforgettable Oscar - winning performance must be seen to be believed , as must Rick Baker 's Oscar - winning makeup. While it would have been easy to make a film simply ridiculing the bumbling director , Burton instead focuses on his driving passion for filmmaking and his unwavering persistence in the face of ridicule and failure. Possibly the most surprising aspect of the film is the genuine sentiment with which Burton treats the relationship between Wood and Lugosi ; his devotion to Lugosi is touching , as is Lugosi's final soliloquy -- an inane bit of dialogue from the hilariously bad Bride of the Monster that grows into a poignant metaphor for the actor's life and ultimate triumph of his spirit. Even the look of the film is right ; it manages to preserve the air of one of Wood's own films while retaining a sense of artistry in much of the composition on screen ( note the scene at the drug rehab where Lugosi endures a horrifying night of detox ) . In all , Ed Wood is a unique film -- at times side - splittingly funny ; at others , tragic or even frightening -- and a heartfelt tribute to the love of movies , good and bad alike.

Repentance (Pokayaniye) features Avtandil Makharadze in a dual role. As Georgian mayor Varlam Aravidze Makharadze is a strutting arbitrarily cruel dictator something of a composite Stalin and Hitler. Visually he very closely resembles Lavrentiy Beriya Stalin's right hander and one-time KGB chief. As Abel the mayor's son Makharadze finds himself in the middle of an ideological squabble when his father dies. Zeinab Botsvadze a local woman who had suffered mightily under the mayor's regime refuses to allow the old man's corpse to be interred. Despite the son's Herculean efforts Botsvadze continues digging up the late mayor's body a symbolic gesture to prevent the dead man's villainy from being forgotten. Repentance was the first Soviet film that openly denounced the horrors of Stalinism though the Georgian director Tengiz Abuladze (known for his poetic and surrealist films) chose to make it allegorical deliberately using anachronisms and making the leading character look like a combination of Stalin's henchman Lavrenti Beriya Hitler and Mussolini. An interesting point -- the last name chosen for the leading character is totally fictional there is no such name as Aravidze in Georgia. In fact "aravi" means "nobody" in Georgian. The filmmakers opted for such a name in order not to offend any real person in the Republic of Georgia. Filmed in 1984 Repentance fell victim to Soviet censorship from the moment it left the editing room. When it was finally released in 1987 the film was deservedly garlanded with several awards including the Cannes Film Festival Special Jury Prize.

Repentance ( Pokayaniye ) features Avtandil Makharadze in a dual role. As Georgian mayor Varlam Aravidze , Makharadze is a strutting , arbitrarily cruel dictator , something of a composite Stalin and Hitler . Visually he very closely resembles Lavrentiy Beriya , Stalin 's right hander and one - time KGB chief. As Abel , the mayor's son , Makharadze finds himself in the middle of an ideological squabble when his father dies. Zeinab Botsvadze , a local woman who had suffered mightily under the mayor's regime , refuses to allow the old man's corpse to be interred. Despite the son's Herculean efforts , Botsvadze continues digging up the late mayor's body , a symbolic gesture to prevent the dead man's villainy from being forgotten. Repentance was the first Soviet film that openly denounced the horrors of Stalinism , though the Georgian director Tengiz Abuladze ( known for his poetic and surrealist films ) chose to make it allegorical , deliberately using anachronisms and making the leading character look like a combination of Stalin's henchman Lavrenti Beriya , Hitler , and Mussolini. An interesting point -- the last name chosen for the leading character is totally fictional , there is no such name as Aravidze in Georgia. In fact , "aravi" means "nobody" in Georgian. The filmmakers opted for such a name in order not to offend any real person in the Republic of Georgia. Filmed in 1984 , Repentance fell victim to Soviet censorship from the moment it left the editing room. When it was finally released in 1987 , the film was deservedly garlanded with several awards , including the Cannes Film Festival Special Jury Prize.

A few months after his notorious suicide attempt Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa was regenerated by the notion of helming the first Russian/Japanese co-production. Co-scripted and directed by Kurosawa Dersu Uzala is the story of an elderly guide and Goldi hunter (Maxim Munzuk) who at the turn of the century agrees to shepherd a Russian explorer (Yuri Solomin) and a troop of soldiers through the most treacherous passages of the Far East. The guide has been "one" with the land almost from birth and is thus able to save his party from perishing. Four years in the making Dersu Uzala won the 1976 Best Foreign Film Oscar and restored the flagging Akira Kurosawa to the top ranks of the Japanese film industry.